Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 48:2 (Fall 1986)
Article: Literal and Allegorical Interpretation in Origen’s Contra Celsum
Author: Dan G. McCartney

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WTJ 48:2 (Fall 1986) p. 281

Literal and Allegorical Interpretation in Origen’s Contra Celsum

Dan G. McCartney

Every interpreter comes to his text with certain presuppositions about its nature and the appropriate methods of understanding its material content. Usually these assumptions are unexpressed, and often the interpreter is not even aware that he has such assumptions. Origen of Alexandria, however, was aware of many of his assumptions and expressed them. Throughout his writings, and especially in De principiis Books 3 and 4, he frequently mentions both his evaluation of the nature of his text (the Bible) and his hermeneutical methods in approaching it. He is thus critically aware of the problems involved in interpreting texts. But, in accordance with the climate of his age, he engages in what to us appears a somewhat humorous and futile method—the method of allegorical interpretation.

On the other hand, Origen is not a “pure” allegorist in that he has some place for literal interpretation as well. What motives, conscious or unconscious, underlie Origen’s interpretive methods? Since he has left us indications of his own theories regarding interpretation, we are in a position to ascertain and assess them.

Many have undertaken to do this,1 and this article does not propose to duplicate their work, but an examination, with this question in mind, of one of the most important later works, the eight books refuting the True Doctrine of Celsus, yields some interesting results. After a brief historical introduction, we will undertake an examination of Origen’s explicit statements and implicit assumptions observable in Contra Celsum. We will also look at a few examples of interpretation that

WTJ 48:2 (Fall 1986) p. 282

occur. From these we will attempt to derive what we can about Origen’s motives or controlling ideas.

I. Historical Background

Origen did not invent his interpretive techniques. It has been amply demonstrated that allegorical interpretation originated, or at least saw its first extensive development, in Hellenism, or perhaps Greece proper, in an attempt to bring the ancient and honored mythology and poetry into line with prevailing philosophical opinions.2 History, and thus “literal” interpretation, was a phenomenal matter and therefore not of great importance. Therefore one could either use a currently available myth and allegorize it, or one could, like Plato, make up one’s own myths.

1. Pagan Interpretation

The motivations for this early Greek allegory are not hard to perceive. Homer, in particular, was regarded as inspired; ...

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