Rewriting or Falsifying of Books of Origen at Caesarea

The legacy of Origen, one of the early Church’s most influential theologians, is a complex tapestry woven with both admiration and controversy. A significant part of this controversy centers around the alleged "rewriting" or falsification of Origen’s works at Caesarea, particularly under the influence of Eusebius. This blog post explores the evidence and implications of these revisions, highlighting Jerome’s insights and accusations, and shedding light on how the preservation and transmission of Origen’s works may have been shaped by later hands.

Jerome’s Accusations and Insights

Jerome’s letters provide a crucial window into the controversies surrounding Origen’s writings. In his Epistle 84, Jerome offers both praise and critique of Origen, acknowledging his vast contributions while also addressing the claims of tampering and falsification.

Praising Origen

Jerome begins by extolling Origen’s virtues:

• Martyr's Son and Scholar: Origen is described as a great man from childhood, the son of a martyr, and a presiding figure at the school of the church in Alexandria, succeeding the learned Clement.
• Zeal for God: His extreme measures to abhor sensuality, including self-castration, and his disdain for covetousness are noted.
• Scriptural Mastery: Origen’s profound knowledge of the scriptures, his extensive writing, and his dedication to explaining their meanings are highlighted.

Addressing the Tampering Claims

Jerome then turns to the contentious issue of whether Origen’s works were tampered with:

• The Folly of Tampering Claims: Jerome asserts the absurdity of claims that Origen’s writings were globally falsified by heretics. He challenges the notion that all of Origen’s works, produced at different times and places, could be universally corrupted.
• Eusebius and Didymus: Jerome points out that Eusebius and Didymus, prominent defenders of Origen, would have noticed and addressed any tampering. Eusebius’s six-volume Apology aligns Origen’s views with his own, while Didymus acknowledges and tries to explain Origen’s errors rather than deny them.

The Role of Eusebius

Eusebius, the bishop of Caesarea, emerges as a pivotal figure in the preservation and possible alteration of Origen’s works:

• Allegations of Forgery: Jerome insinuates that Eusebius may have altered Origen’s writings to make them conform to orthodox views, particularly in the context of post-Nicene orthodoxy. Jerome suggests that Eusebius presented Origen’s views as identical to his own, potentially masking Origen’s original thoughts.
• The Case of Pamphilus: Jerome also casts doubt on the authenticity of writings attributed to Pamphilus, suggesting that Eusebius could have authored works in Pamphilus’s name to protect Origen’s reputation. Jerome points out that a treatise supposedly by Pamphilus contains extensive content from Eusebius’s defense of Origen, indicating possible forgery.

Implications of the Revisions

The implications of these alleged revisions are profound:

• Theological Consistency: Eusebius’s potential alterations ensured that Origen’s writings aligned with the theological orthodoxy emerging from the Council of Nicaea, shaping the doctrinal landscape of early Christianity.
• Historical Authenticity: The authenticity of Origen’s works is called into question, raising doubts about his true theological positions and the integrity of early Christian writings.
• Literary Influence: The practices of literary control and censorship in early Christianity reflect the power dynamics within the Church, highlighting how influential figures like Eusebius could shape theological discourse.

Conclusion

Jerome’s accusations against Eusebius regarding the rewriting or falsifying of Origen’s works at Caesarea underscore the complexities of early Christian literature. The potential forgeries and revisions reveal the interplay between theology, politics, and literary preservation, providing critical insights into the development of early Christian doctrine. Understanding these revisions helps us appreciate the intricate process of how theological ideas were transmitted, altered, and preserved in the formative years of the Church.