Origen: Nous, Reincarnation, and Apokatastasis

[boccaderlupo]

An interesting read on Origen's thought, for those who are into such things.

Comments

[k_a_nitz]

Thanks for this, I really liked the phrase "We began as God’s poetry and have descended into plasticity."

[boccaderlupo]

Most certainly!

[jprussell]

That was lovely, thanks for sharing. I especially liked this quote on the deeper meanings of scripture (and, I would argue, for holy texts more broadly):

Until then, there is no end to our understanding of the scriptures, and so no end to our reading and rereading the scriptures. The literal meaning of the scriptures is like a smooth surface over which we glide. We read along, and then suddenly we trip over an oddity, an infelicity, or an absurdity in the narrative. If we are lucky, we do not regain our footing, but we fall flat on our faces, and we examine up close whatever it was that broke our stride. But when we do so, we see that the bulging crack reveals an infinite depth beneath our feet, an abyss of meaning over which we have been skating with false confidence. For Origen, to read the scriptures is to be initiated into that abyss.

[boccaderlupo]

Yes! A reminder of the various levels at which texts can be understood. Sure thing.

[randomactsofkarmasc]

Ooo... fun! I've only skimmed it, but saved it for later. Thanks for sharing!

[boccaderlupo]

You are most welcome.