“Between human and animal souls”: the resurrection of the rational soul and Origen’s transformation of metensomatosis

Book section : Chapter

Scholars argue that Origen conceives the soul’s progress within a modified Platonic paradigm (Marx-Wolf 2010; Ramelli 2017). Others suggest more alignment with the New Testament (Edwards 2002). According to Ramelli (2018), Origen advances that the soul occupies one earthly, human body (ensomatosis), rather than a cycle of multiple bodies (metensomatosis). Marx-Wolf (2010), however, argues that the rational soul, separated from the body, still is capable of advancement. Furthermore, Origen insists that the Christian teaching of the resurrection should contrast with metensomatosis (ConCels 5.29, 3.75). Nevertheless, Origen’s Contra Celsum preserves the language and imagery of metensomatosis. He harmonizes Plato’s cycle of generation (Phaedrus 249a-250e) with the Christian teaching of the soul’s resurrection (1Cor. 15). Like Plato, Origen preserves the souls’ future embodiment (Phaedrus 247b-c) and one dons this ethereal body at its resurrection in heaven, not on earth (ConCels 7.32, 7.44). Implicit in Origen’s disagreement with multiple earthly incarnations, is the suggestion that the human soul is born into animals or vice versa (Plato, Phaedo 81d-82b, Phaedrus 249b). To solve this conundrum, Origen incorporates the Stoic distinction of the rational, human soul and the non-rational, animal soul (Gilhus 2006; ConCels 7.17, 8.18). Thus, Origen transforms the paradigm of metensomatosis, limiting future resurrection to rational souls in heaven; barred are the non-rational souls of animals. This study analyzes Origen’s reading of Plato’s Phaedrus and Timaeus in view of Genesis and 1Corinthians and it provides a window into third-century AD debates among Platonists regarding the interpretation of Plato’s teachings.

Authors: Young, JH

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Peeters Publishers
• Host title: Studia Patristica. Vol. CXI - Papers presented at the Eighteenth International Conference on Patristic Studies held in Oxford 2019: Volume 8: Origen
• Pages: 137-150
• Series: Studia Patristica
• Series number: 111
• Place of publication: Leuven, Belgium
• Publication date: 2021-11-19
• Edition: 1
• DOI: 10.2307/j.ctv27vt5rg.15
• EISBN: 9789042947573
• ISBN: 9789042947566
• Language: English
• Subtype: Chapter