1 Origen is the most important theologian of the Church before Nicaea, and one of the most influential Christian writers of all time. Unlike Justin Martyr, Origen did not come to Christianity after a long search through the philosophical schools; he was born into a Christian family. Unlike Irenaeus of Lyons, Origen did not devote his main energies to refuting error, but to explaining God’s Word. Unlike Clement of Alexandria—who may have been his teacher—Origen saw no point in trying
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