Reading the Church Fathers discussion
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Commentary on the Gospel According to John, Books 1-10
Origen: Commentary on John
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Day 6: ANF09 1.16-18 or FC80 1.90-103
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I find it curious how Origen doesn't give a philosophical exposition of the doctrine of Creatio Ex Nihilo, but is content to resort to Scriptural authority, as it were. One would think that here is the most appropriate place to expound the doctrine.
ANF09. I.18
This, however, is the view of those who hold matter itself to be uncreated, a view which we believers cannot share, since we believe God to have made the things that are out of the things which are not, as the mother of the seven martyrs in the Maccabees teaches, and as the angel of repentance in the Shepherd inculcated.
After an introduction to the Gospel, now we begin with the Gospel of John.
I think it is safe to say that John 1.1 is the one of the, if not the, most important verses in the Scriptures. In this sections, Origen delves into manifold meanings of "beginning".
1. What are the different meanings of "beginning"?
2. Which ones are new to you?