On First Principles

On First Principles Synopsis

On First Principles is the most important surviving text written by Origen, a third century Church father. It is the first attempt in history to compose a complete Christian theology. Writing in a time when fundamental doctrines had not yet been fully articulated by the Church, Origen contributed to the very formation of Christianity. In On First Principles, the reader sees Origen grappling with the mysteries of salvation and brainstorming how they can be understood and communicated to his educated audience. This edition presents G W Butterworth's trusted translation in a new, more readable format (removing much of the previous variant translations that were set side?by?side in columns), with an introduction by Henri DeLubac and new foreword by John C Cavadini. As St Gregory of Nazianzus, Doctor of the Church, wrote: 'Origen is the stone on which all of us were sharpened.',