Erasmus's Life of Origen ─ A New Annotated Translation of the Prefaces to Erasmus of Rotterdam's Edition of Origen's Writings (1536)

Erasmus of Rotterdam's (1466-1536) lifelong exertions in advancing biblical and patristic scholarship demonstrate the sincerity, vitality, and orthodoxy of his program for the renewal of Catholic theology in the first half of the 16 century, Scheck says, and bolsters his argument with the first English translation of the prefaces to Erasmus' edition of writing by theologian and homilist Origen of Alexander (185-254). Among the material is his Life of Origen, a biographical portrait in which Erasmus sets forth Origen's virtues for emulation, and asks censorious critics of Origen to consider the life he lived before they harshly judge and condemn him. Annotation ©2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)

Thomas P. Scheck is associate professor of theology and classics at Ave Maria University.