Origen of Alexandria and Human Dignity

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, I respond to a recent article published in the Journal of Theological Studies, in which Matthijs den Dulk challenged a prevailing idea that Origen of Alexandria was a proponent of human dignity. Den Dulk takes a different approach by drawing attention to the language of race and ethnicity Origen used to contrast Christianity with other racial groups. Den Dulk argues that, rather than being a champion of human dignity, Origen provided a basis from which modern racist discourse emerged. I will count den Dulk’s argument and demonstrate 1.) how den Dulk fails to take into proper account the theological dimensions of Origen’s thought in the passages den Dulk selected to make his argument; and 2.) that Origen’s complementary notions of the human being created in the image of God and human freedom provide a framework from which we can develop a theology of human dignity in response to modern racist discourses.