Saturday, July 1, 2023

Excerpts from Origen, Homilies on Genesis

  

Homily 1:

 

(14) “Male and female he made them, and God blessed them saying: ‘Increase and multiply and fill the earth and have dominion over it.’”

 

It seems to be worth inquiring in this passage, according to the letter, how, when the woman was not yet made, the Scripture says, “Male and female he made them.” Perhaps, as I think, it is because of the blessing with which he blessed them, saying, “Increase and multiply and fill the earth.” Anticipating what was to be, the text says, “Male and female he made them,” since, indeed, man could not otherwise increase and multiply except with the female. Therefore, that there might be no doubt about his blessing that is to come, the text says, “Male and female he made them.” For in this manner man, seeing the consequence of increasing and multiplying to be from the fact that the female was joined to him, could cherish a more certain hope in the divine blessing. For if the Scripture had said: “Increase and multiply and fill the earth and have dominion over it,” not adding this, “Male and female he made them,” doubtless he would have disbelieved the divine blessing, as also Mary said in response to that blessing which was pronounced by the angel, “How shall I know this, since I know not a man?” (Origen, Homilies on Genesis and Exodus [trans. Ronald E. Heine; The Fathers of the Church 71; Washington, D.C.: 1982], 67)

 

Homily 3:

 

First, therefore, let my word be to those outside the Church who arrogantly clamor around us, saying that it is not appropriate for that most exalted and invisible and incorporeal God to experience human affections. (Origen, Homilies on Genesis and Exodus [trans. Ronald E. Heine; The Fathers of the Church 71; Washington, D.C.: 1982], 89) I highlight this as it shows Origen did not believe God, in essence, did not have a corporeal form. This adds to the significance of his interpretation of John 4:24 and how it is not teaching that God the Father is incorporeal. For more, see Lynn Wilder vs. Latter-day Saint (and Biblical) Theology on Divine Embodiment

 

Homily 3:

 

For if we should confess the Lord Jesus with the voice alone and now show “his covenant to be in our flesh” according to these things which we have set forth above, we ourselves also will appear to do something similar to the Jews who think they confess God with the mark of circumcision alone but deny him with their deeds. But may the Lord grant us “to believe in the heart, to confess with the mouth,” to confirm with works that the covenant of God is in our flesh, that “men seeing our good works, might magnify our Father who is in heaven,” through Jesus Christ our Lord, “to whom is glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Origen, Homilies on Genesis and Exodus [trans. Ronald E. Heine; The Fathers of the Church 71; Washington, D.C.: 1982], 102)

 

 

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