Become like the angels : Origen's doctrine of the soul /

At face value, this volume by Blosser (Benedictine College) is easy to evaluate. For many, Origen (c. 185-245 CE) is arguably one of the most brilliant theologians in Christian history and therefore worthy of study for his originality. For others, though, Origen's unorthodox ideas are problematic, making him not as worthy of consideration as orthodox theologians. However, for those seeking an understanding of the complexity of early Christian thought, Origen is critical. Blosser elucidates Origen's doctrine of the soul and his connection to, and disagreements with, highly influential Middle Platonic thought. Blosser describes Origen's teachings about the origin, nature, and destiny of the human person. Origen's departure from Platonism remains rooted in biblical and Christian thought, though Origen develops his own, personal mysticism. Origen's view of the soul is that it is split between "spiritual vocation and its fleshly condition." The struggle of the soul, however, is informed by Christian revelation, which elicits a positive response by the faithful. While Origen borrows the vocabulary and concepts of Middle Platonism, for the Christian, "the soul is reunited with the divine Logos in whose image it was created." Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. G. M. Smith Delaware County Community College