Celsus (1)

This book is an interesting contrast. First, the introduction by a contemporary philosopher, with the standard obscurantist, important-sounding, pretentious language. Then, the discourse by Celsus, written in plain English. Since this is a translation, and the translation was done by the same author that wrote the introduction, it appears modern day philosophers can actually write in language that can be read without recourse to a dictionary every third word, and that actually means show more something once you finish the sentence. It is also interesting because the arguments Celsus made are some of the same that are being made today. He points out the contradictions in Christianity, and the fact that the faith really isn't a great source for morality. Of course, he isn't anti-religion. He promotes the Roman gods, and believes people should pray to them, and of course, support the emperor as the god's chosen one on Earth. Overall, it was okay, but nothing I hadn't heard before, including the introduction. show less

Celsus's work survives because his Church Father critics quoted him in a major fisking of the time. And yet Celsus makes a fairly good case against Christian doctrine. True, it is in part something close to an ad hominem attack (Christians are credulous), and some of his status quo assumptions aren't very impressive. Nevertheless, anyone interested in the development of early Christian theology, the Jesus movement, martyrdom, apologetics, and philosophers as critics of religion should read show more this book.

A great reconstruction of the text, by the way! show less

The works of many early critics of the Christian church were burned by ruling emperors or otherwise destroyed in the second and third centuries, but the writings of the Greek pagan philosopher, Celsus, have survived indirectly through his eloquent opponent Origen of Alexandria. In his apologetical treatise, Contra Celsum, Origen argues against the ideas set forth by Celsus and quotes from Celsus' The True Doctrine at length. Through this treatise, Celsus has come to represent the detached show more pagan voice of the ages. In this translation, Professor Hoffmann has, for the first time, painstakingly reconstructed the main order of the philosopher's argument. Celsus' discourse shows him to be an eclectic philosopher--a dabbler in various schools of thought, including Platonism and Stoicism, and a student of the history and religious customs of many nations. Hoffman supplements this definitive translation with an informative introduction, summarizing Celsus' premises and placing the identity of Celsus in its historical context. show less