Origen’s Theological Methodology as the Dialectic between Theology and Philosophy

Abstract

Theologians are assigned with a responsibility that they must understand and articulate God who is disclosed from revelatory experience. It is an effort to state the incomprehen￾sible and inexpressible God in and through the finite concept and language of human being. Since the ancient times, theologians are destined to employ thoughts and concepts from where they are socially embedded. Our contemporary theolo￾gians are not different. Theology is radically different from other academic disciplines in the sense that its source is originated from the divine who is transcendent from the world. However, as noted earlier, theology must engage itself with other disciplines so that it can express the knowledge of the transcendent God. This article aims at providing a rationale why theologians must pursue interdisciplinary studies. To this end, the article examines Origen’s theological methodology, which situates Christian theology in a dialogue with its contemporary philoso￾phy. Before the doctrine of Trinity is constructed, Origen strives to elaborate the understanding of the Father and the Son interacting with Platonism and Neoplatonism. In doing so, he attempts to express the knowledge of God. Nevertheless, Origen does not embrace his contemporary philosophical ideas uncritically. Rather, he revises the idea according to the Scripture and the Church tradition. Therefore, exploring Origen’s theological methodology will empower interdisciplinary studies that our contemporary theologians must pursue to disclose the knowledge of God. In addition, the article will also help to reveal what kinds of theological attitude theologians must take when they are involved with a dialogue with other disciplines. Last but not least, this article will contribute to expand the theological understanding of ancient theologians.