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Origen - On First Principles - Part Four
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Origen seems to be randomly picking and choosing his liberal moments. How amusing.
Rod, once again you prove you have no idea what the word "liberal" means.
I just assume it means clearly and spiritually not accepting what is right in front if you. Or eternally good for you.
So basically, words can mean whatever you want them to mean. Your definition is not one that any dictionary or person has ever accepted, you just made it up out of thin air. Further, you "assume" it which means you didn't take the time to learn an actual meaning. It seems you use it as an attack word to dehumanize a position you do not like.There is nothing Christian in inventing a definition for a word no one else uses and then labeling anyone you think is wrong with that word. Try a little more understanding and loving your neighbor.
If you care to learn something:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...
http://www.britannica.com/topic/liber...
http://www.theopedia.com/Theological_...
so neither will the divine inspiration of holy Scripture, which extends throughout its body, be believed to be non-existent, because the weakness of our understanding is unable to trace out the hidden and secret meaning in each individual word, the treasure of divine wisdom being hid in the vulgar and unpolished vessels of words,
Origen (2011-10-27). The Works of Origen: De Principiis, Letters of Origen, Origen Against Celsus (3 Books With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 6436-6438). . Kindle Edition.
the reason of the erroneous apprehension of all these points on the part of those whom we have mentioned above, is no other than this, that holy Scripture is not understood by them according to its spiritual, but according to its literal meaning. And therefore we shall endeavour, so far as our moderate capacity will permit, to point out to those who believe the holy Scriptures to be no human compositions, but to be written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and to be transmitted and entrusted to us by the will of God the Father, through His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, what appears to us, who observe things by a right way of understanding, [2742] to be the standard and discipline delivered to the apostles by Jesus Christ, and which they handed down in succession to their posterity, the teachers of the holy Church.
Origen (2011-10-27). The Works of Origen: De Principiis, Letters of Origen, Origen Against Celsus (3 Books With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 6490-6497). . Kindle Edition.
Is there not hidden there also an inner, namely a divine sense, which is revealed by that grace alone which he had received
Origen (2011-10-27). The Works of Origen: De Principiis, Letters of Origen, Origen Against Celsus (3 Books With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 6517-6518). . Kindle Edition.
Each one, then, ought to describe in his own mind, in a threefold manner, the understanding of the divine letters,--that is, in order that all the more simple individuals may be edified, so to speak, by the very body of Scripture; for such we term that common and historical sense: while, if some have commenced to make considerable progress, and are able to see something more (than that), they may be edified by the very soul of Scripture. Those, again, who are perfect, and who resemble those of whom the apostle says, "We speak wisdom among them that are perfect, but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, who will be brought to nought; but we speak the wisdom of God, hidden in a mystery, which God hath decreed before the ages unto our glory;" [2754] --all such as these may be edified by the spiritual law itself (which has a shadow of good things to come), as if by the Spirit. For as man is said to consist of body, and soul, and spirit, so also does sacred Scripture, which has been granted by the divine bounty [2755] for the salvation of man;
Origen (2011-10-27). The Works of Origen: De Principiis, Letters of Origen, Origen Against Celsus (3 Books With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 6540-6549). . Kindle Edition.
for that reason divine wisdom took care that certain stumbling-blocks, or interruptions, [2772] to the historical meaning should take place, by the introduction into the midst (of the narrative) of certain impossibilities and incongruities; that in this way the very interruption of the narrative might, as by the interposition of a bolt, present an obstacle to the reader, whereby he might refuse to acknowledge the way which conducts to the ordinary meaning; and being thus excluded and debarred from it, we might be recalled to the beginning of another way, in order that, by entering upon a narrow path, and passing to a loftier and more sublime road, he might lay open the immense breadth of divine wisdom.
Origen (2011-10-27). The Works of Origen: De Principiis, Letters of Origen, Origen Against Celsus (3 Books With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 6655-6660). . Kindle Edition.
Now all this, as we have remarked, was done by the Holy Spirit in order that, seeing those events which lie on the surface can be neither true nor useful, we may be led to the investigation of that truth which is more deeply concealed, and to the ascertaining of a meaning worthy of God in those Scriptures which we believe to be inspired by Him.
Origen (2011-10-27). The Works of Origen: De Principiis, Letters of Origen, Origen Against Celsus (3 Books With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 6671-6673). . Kindle Edition.
No one, I think, can doubt that the statement that God walked in the afternoon in paradise, and that Adam lay hid under a tree, is related figuratively in Scripture, that some mystical meaning may be indicated by it. The departure of Cain from the presence of the Lord will manifestly cause a careful reader to inquire what is the presence of God, and how anyone can go out from it.
Origen (2011-10-27). The Works of Origen: De Principiis, Letters of Origen, Origen Against Celsus (3 Books With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 6687-6690). . Kindle Edition.
Let no one, however, entertain the suspicion that we do not believe any history in Scripture to be real, because we suspect certain events related in it not to have taken place; or that no precepts of the law are to be taken literally, because we consider certain of them, in which either the nature or possibility of the case so requires, incapable of being observed; or that we do not believe those predictions which were written of the Saviour to have been fulfilled in a manner palpable to the senses; or that His commandments are not to be literally obeyed. We have therefore to state in answer, since we are manifestly so of opinion, that the truth of the history may and ought to be preserved in the majority of instances.
Origen (2011-10-27). The Works of Origen: De Principiis, Letters of Origen, Origen Against Celsus (3 Books With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 6749-6755). . Kindle Edition.