Title
On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians,Used
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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 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 philosophera 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.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'On the True Doctrine'? A: The main theme of 'On the True Doctrine' is Celsus's critique of Christianity, presented through his philosophical arguments which challenge the beliefs and practices of early Christians.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'On the True Doctrine' is Celsus, a Greek philosopher known for his opposition to Christian theology.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is available in paperback binding.
- Q: How many pages are in 'On the True Doctrine'? A: The book has 160 pages.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic study? A: Yes, 'On the True Doctrine' is suitable for academic study, particularly in fields related to Church History and philosophy.
- Q: When was 'On the True Doctrine' published? A: The book was published on February 19, 1987.
- Q: What is included in the translation by Professor Hoffmann? A: Professor Hoffmann's translation includes a reconstruction of the main arguments of Celsus, along with an informative introduction that contextualizes Celsus's ideas historically.
- Q: Can this book be read by someone unfamiliar with philosophical texts? A: While the book engages with complex philosophical ideas, Hoffmann's introduction may help readers unfamiliar with such texts to understand Celsus's arguments.
- Q: What is the significance of Celsus's work in relation to early Christianity? A: Celsus's work is significant as it provides a pagan perspective on early Christianity, highlighting the criticisms and challenges faced by the early church.
- Q: Does 'On the True Doctrine' include any supplementary material? A: Yes, the book includes an introduction by Professor Hoffmann that summarizes Celsus's premises and his historical context.