Eusebius’ Church History 15

Study Guide Questions for Book 6.1-6.17

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Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Recklessness, Deprivation, Providence, Integrity, Temperance, Prudence, Evil, Death and Resurrection

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. According to the text, why did Origen’s mother have to hide his clothes?

2. What did Origen decide concerning the teaching of literature?

3. Briefly, recap the story of Basilides and Potamiaena.

4. What did Origen do which Eusebius says “gave proof enough of his young and immature mind but also of his faith?”

5. What reportedly happened to the three men who spread “vile slander” about Narcissus?

6. What did Serapion say concerning the teaching found in the Gospel of Peter?

7. Which texts did Eusebius refer to as “disputed writings?”

8. How did Clement of Alexandria account for the differences of style in the Epistle to the Hebrews from the rest of Paul’s writings?

9. What did Clement say about the order in which the four biblical Gospels were written?

10. Of what texts was Origen’s Hexapla composed?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Why would Origen urge his father to Martyrdom?

2. Why was Origen depriving himself of sleep and food and other goods of life?

3. Why did Potamiaena say something that offended the religion of her persecutors?

4. What does it mean to say that Clement of Alexandria keyed the dates of his book “to the death of Commodus as base?”

5. What did Eusebius mean by calling John’s Gospel “a spiritual gospel?”

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. Origen refused “to join in prayer” with Paul of Alexandria (the heretic). To what extent, if at all, should we be willing to participate in prayer or worship with non-Christians? Does it make a difference if the person (or people) in question is simply a non-Christian versus someone who claims to be a Chrsitian but is actually a heretic? Explain your answer carefully.

2. Origen “decided that teaching literature did not accord with theological study” so he stopped studying and teaching literature and sold off his books. Do you agree or disagree with his conclusion? Why?

3. Based upon this current reading, what is your impression of Origen? Do you think he is a good model of Christian faith and practice? Why or why not?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. Why might these passages of Scripture have been good for Origen to reflect upon?