Mysterium Ecclesiae. Images of the Church and its Members in Origen

Abstract

Starting-point of this book is that for Origen the object of religious knowledge is a mystery. Therefore he shrinks from using 'definitions', by which in his opinion the mystery is literally 'restricted'. This also applies to the Church. About her can only be spoken 'in a manner of speaking' and by means of images. The Bible itself leads the way in this respect. Therefore one must not stick to the literal meaning of the text, but one must try to understand it spiritually. Origen traces the meaning of the biblical images of the Church. Sometimes he elaborates them or puts them in a new context. But he also creates new images to describe the Church and already detects in the Old Testament all kinds of types of the Church. Analyzing all these images the author gives insight in Origen's ecclesiology.

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