“On first principles”: Exploring the theological contribution of Origen of Alexandria and its relevance to African Christianity today

Author(s)

Henry Marcus Garba; Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Nigeria; Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya; Center for the Study of World Christianity

Abstract

African Church Fathers played a significant role in the formation, promotion, and preservation of Christian theology. The Church Fathers helped shape Christian doctrines and dogmas throughout the centuries. Among the Fathers of the Church, Origen of Alexandria played an important role in the development of Christian theology. This study is qualitative that adopts a historical-analytical approach to explore the theological contribution of Origen, On First Principles, and its implication to African Christianity. From a historical viewpoint, the study examines Origen’s theology On First Principles, which provides contemporary African Christianity with fundamental tools in understanding and integrating biblical truths. Origen was the first theologian to systematize Christian doctrine. He is a theologian of the highest rank, whose role in developing Christian doctrine and theology is evident throughout history. However, he is often negatively remembered, and his mistakes pronounced; this attitude ought to change. There is an effort by African theologians and their sympathizers to develop a theology that is truly African, because many see Christianity as foreign, and the theology the church upholds is considered a western ideology. But as African theologians search for contextual theology, the tremendous influence of Origen could offer contemporary African scholars the right tool for revitalization. Therefore, historians and churchmen ought to conscientize the theological involvement of the African Church Father, Origen in the quest to make Christianity genuinely African. Indeed, a reconsideration of this African hero and his theological contribution could provide contemporary African Christianity with theological relevance in the quest for modern African Christianity.

Keywords

African Christianity; Origen of Alexandria; On First Principles; Theological Contribution

Cite this paper

Garba, H. M. (2021), “On frist principles”: Exploring the theological contribution of Origen of Alexandria and its relevance to African Christianity today , IRESPUB Journal of Law, Policy & Religion. Volume 1, Issue 1, Sep-Oct 2021, Page 1-12

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