Whether Origen is considered a father of the Church, or a heretic, depends on whom you ask. But everyone agrees he may have been just a bit too smart for his own good. At best, he tried in vain to out-gnostic the gnostics, at worst, he was too influenced by gnosticism. In the end, the Fifth Ecumenical Council declared him a heretic. In this this episode, Dr. Papandrea gives evidence why Origen should not be considered a father of the Church, but should be considered a heretic, but in the end, you decide!

Links

Make sure to listen to Mike Aquilina’s episodes on Origen, Episode 19:  https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/life-origen-most-controversial-christian-ever/

and Episode 20: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/origen-part-2-hero-heretic-or-hybrid/

For more information on Epiphanius of Salamis, listen to Mike Aquilina’s Episode 35:  https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/35epiphanius-salamis-passion-for-pure-doctrine/

To read Jerome’s Letter to Rufinus of Aquileia:  https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=2887&repos=8&subrepos=0&searchid=2376957

To read the Canons of the Fifth Ecumenical Council (the Second Council of Constantinople) 553 AD: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3812.htm

Also check out this article by Thomas Mirus on Origen’s theology https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/church-fathers-origens-theology/

and this one on Pope Benedict XVI on Origen’s thought: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7548

For more detail on the controversy over Origen in context, and related topics, see the book: Reading the Church Fathers: A History of the Early Church and the Development of Doctrine: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/reading-the-church-fathers/

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To connect with Dr. James Papandrea, On YouTube - The Original Church:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch

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Dr. Papandrea’s Homepage:  http://www.jimpapandrea.com

Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed:  https://www.ccwatershed.org/