Arguments of Celsus, Porphyry and the Emperor Julian Against the Christians Also Extracts from Diodorus Siculus, Josephus and Tacitus Relating to the Jews Together with an Appendix

by Celsus, Julian, Porphyry

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Genres: Religion, History, Classics, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Ancient History

102 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1830

About the author

Celsus (Greek: Κέλσος) was a 2nd-century Roman philosopher, writing in Greek, and an opponent of early Christianity. He is known for his literary work, The True Word (also Account, Doctrine or Discourse; Greek: Λόγος Ἀληθής), which survives exclusively in Origen's quotations from it in Contra Celsum. This work, c. 177 is the earliest known comprehensive attack on Christianity.

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the O.G.'s of literate Christian bashing are represented in this work. Sadly much of their work only has survived because Christian writers quoted them in their polemics against these 'heathens'. The rest of the works good Christians sent the flames, along with innumerable other works that our civilization is poorer for no longer having (ok, I can't prove this, but they probably had their hands in the mass destroying of literature from Antiquity, along with a bunch of Caliph's, and other people who have followed the timeless advice of destroying a peoples' past to destroy the people...... ah believers in abstract concepts.....).

I wish I had a real copy of this book, the google book version looks nice and all, but I'd really like my own copy, but not one with a lighthouse in Maine or wherever the fuck that picture is from on it.

[Valenfore Alestreneon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very, very good criticism of Christianity by people who lived during the days of Early Christianity. A must-read for all of those who oppose their tyranny.

[Galicius · Rating 1 out of 5]

This comment refers only to the Celsus which quickly comes across as ancient trash writing that is preserved only because it was refuted by Origen in 248 AD.

[John Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

What especially delighted me was finding in it the origin of Thomas Hardy's poem, of Panthera's lover (if I've got the spelling right. He was a Roman soldier, she the unlikely virgin, Mary) though I suppose it is more likely she was impregnated by Joseph on being betrothed. It's a bit rich claiming god the father's the father but as Augustine says, the more incredible, the greater the miracle and supernatural power behind it. Celsus then goes on she went off to labour in Egypt as the only way to keep herself and child. Wonderful and more plausible than a flight from Herod.

[Onyango Makagutu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book

[Peter J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting work.