New Evidence for Celsus's "True Word" Being Written 177 - 180 CE

The dating of Celsus's "True Word" (Ἀληθὴς Λόγος) has been a topic of scholarly debate, with recent evidence suggesting a composition period between 177 and 180 CE. This timeframe is supported by an analysis of the text's content and its historical context, particularly concerning the interactions between Christians and Jews in Alexandria.

The Historical Context

The "Jew of Celsus," a significant character in Celsus's work, provides clues to the dating of the text. The Jew's arguments against Christianity reflect a deep familiarity with Jewish traditions and a strong opposition to Christian reinterpretations of Jewish scriptures. This suggests that the text was written during a period of heightened tensions between Jews and Christians, particularly following the Bar Kochba revolt (132-135 CE).

The Evidence from Origen's "Contra Celsum"

Origen's rebuttal to Celsus, "Contra Celsum," written in the mid-third century, provides additional context. Origen quotes the "Jew of Celsus," who criticizes Christians for abandoning Jewish laws and traditions. This interaction is found in Book 2, Chapter 4 of Origen's work, where the Jew accuses Christians of dishonoring Jewish sacred texts while claiming them as the foundation of their doctrine:

"Then the Jew who was with him says to those who believed from the people, 'Since yesterday, and the day before, and whenever we have chastised this man who herds you, you have strayed from the ancestral law, not knowing accurately any of the things he said, as we have demonstrated.'"

The Alexandrian Connection

The argument that the "Jew of Celsus" was an Alexandrian Jew adds weight to the dating of "True Word." Alexandria, a major center of Jewish life and thought, experienced significant upheaval during the late second century. The Jewish uprising in Alexandria around 170-175 CE, which was violently suppressed by Roman forces, provides a backdrop for the Jewish-Christian polemics reflected in Celsus's text. The specific references to Jewish customs and the criticism of Christian reinterpretations suggest an Alexandrian origin for the Jew in Celsus's narrative.

Origen's Interaction with Celsus

It is important to note that Origen did not encounter Celsus or his work until later in his career, likely after he had moved from Alexandria to Caesarea. This suggests that Celsus's "True Word" had circulated in intellectual circles before coming to Origen's attention. Origen's patron in Asia Minor likely prompted him to respond to Celsus, indicating that the text was known and influential in different regions of the Roman Empire.

Conclusion

The new evidence for dating Celsus's "True Word" to 177-180 CE hinges on the internal content of the text, the historical context of Jewish-Christian relations in Alexandria, and Origen's later rebuttal. This period was marked by significant conflict and debate between Jews and Christians, reflecting the broader social and religious transformations of the time. The presence of an Alexandrian Jew in Celsus's narrative, combined with the historical events in Alexandria, supports this revised dating, providing a clearer understanding of the origins and impact of Celsus's work.