Wednesday, April 22, 2026

It is the 22nd of April 2026. Welcome to the Christian History Almanac, brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org; I’m Dan van Voorhis.

 

So this is a first. Yes, dating, especially in the 2nd century, is dicey- but it's all close enough that I thought it worth a mention. On yesterday’s show, we told the story of the martyrdom of St. Apollonius, who died on the 21st of April in 185- we talked about the Empire at the time and all that. Well, today’s event- the 22nd of April is the day on which Origen is remembered in some bodies (more on that in a minute), and he was born in that same year. So, 185- just as Christian persecution is beginning its uptick under Commodus. Origen won’t die a martyr's death but will live and die amongst martyrs, one being his own father.

 

I’ll note that Origen does not have a feast day like other church fathers- he is a name that, unfortunately, some would spit on the ground were you to praise him- it’s understandable, but I think misguided. In fact, a few years ago, over on the mothership at 1517, the scholars-in-residence were asked to write an article on the church father of their choice- I chose Origen. Controversial? Sure- it’s part of what makes him fun. But I pronounce from here on out that April 22nd is Origen day on the Christian History Almanac- making only him and Augustine of Hippo to have dedicated yearly shows.

 

Origen was born in 185- he would, by the time of his death in 253, be what some have called the “first” theologian- the greatest Pre-Nicene theologian (before 325), and to others, the finest theologian to never be made an official saint.

 

Unlike many of the early church fathers, Origen was raised in a Christian home and taught the scriptures from a young age by his father Leonidas. But in the early 200s, with the coming of more Roman persecution- Leonidas was put to death for his faith- a foundational event for the future scholar. His mother, now without means and 7 children, relied on the charity of others, and one woman took Origen in and helped fund his travel and study. Unfortunately, she was under the influence of Paul of Antioch, a gnostic- this would give Origen his first taste of this heresy that he would spend his life, in part, trying to refute.

 

I won’t give an exhaustive picture of his life here, but he would study in both Alexandria and Caesarea- two important centers not only of early Christian book collecting but also of Jewish and Greek philosophy. Origen’s brilliance lay, in part, as someone who saw the world of Jewish thought and Greek thought as both able to help flesh out Christian theology.

 

Of all his works, three stand above the rest: the Hexapla, a 6-column text of the Scriptures in different languages and manuscript collections. He was obsessed with learning the Scriptures- with learning Hebrew (he would be among the first to do this as a Christian) and producing a text that was as God had first inspired it. The second great work is his First Principles- it is amongst the first ever works of systematic theology- unfortunately, we only have a 4th century translation that “smoothed out” and removed other parts- this is at the heart of the problem with Origen studies and knowing what he “really” thought. The third big book is his Contra Celsus. Celsus was a pagan who was especially upset with good, smart pagans converting to Christianity. Origen’s work is thus one of the first full-throated defenses of Christianity.

 

Why don’t people like him? While he helped develop trinitarian thought, he, at times, seemed to subordinate the Son to the Father and the Spirit to the Son. This would be ironed out at Nicaea and beyond, well after his death- but his work sounds just Arian enough to toss. But don’t! Just as his Hexapla didn’t try to “smooth over” differences in the text- but rather, let us see what the texts said- so too should we not avoid one of the earliest and greatest theologians because his trinitarian ideas are suspect (for good reason).

 

For the good of the cause, you tend to hear a story about Origen self castrating. You know that verse- better to cut off… this seems doubtful- not only was Origen the king of "spiritual, not literal” interpretations, but it seems that the story spread when he was being attacked beyond the grave. Oh sure, the Catholics, the Orthodox… they don’t give him favored status- but we here at the Almanac do- Happy Birthday Origen, or something close to it- 185-253, imprisoned for his faith, but released and died shortly thereafter.

 

 

The Last word for today comes from the daily lectionary and a short post-resurrection scene from John 21:

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

 

This has been the Christian History Almanac for the 22nd of April 2026, brought to you by 1517 at 1517.org.

The show is produced by a man who prefers himself a single Origin… he is Christopher Gillespie.

The show is written and read by a man who thinks Origen should be canonized and Barry Bonds should be in the Hall of Fame- I’m Dan van Voorhis.

You can catch us here every day- and remember that the rumors of grace, forgiveness, and the redemption of all things are true…. Everything is going to be ok.