On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians [Paperback]

Celsus (Author), R. Joseph Hoffman (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195041518 | ISBN-13: 978-0195041514 | Publication Date: February 19, 1987

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 philosopher--a 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[An] important contribution to the wealth of patristic texts scholars are making available to English readers....Published and arranged in such a way that readers can get a fairly clear and coherent picture of Celsus' argument."--Review and Expositor

"An excellent synopsis of the intellectual attack on Christianity by Roman paganism....Should spark lively discussion."--Edward M. Anson, University of Arkansas, Little Rock

"A fresh attempt to solve an old scholarly problem: to present the 'True Celsus,' in this case in a contemporary English version with up-to-date introduction and notes....The resultant text is readable."--Anglican Theological Review

"A lucid translation of one of the most fascinating pieces of literature left to us from the second century."--Frank Thielman, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

"The first complete translation of Christianity's most ardent second-century critic....Highly readable."--Free Inquiry

"A great contribution to scholarship in the study of early Christianity. The general introduction is worth the price of the book, and to have this new translation of the ancient work of Celsus is most useful and valuable."--J. William Angell, Wake Forest University

"Every serious student of early Christianity should give attention to Celsus....A first-rate publication with excellent, comprehensive introduction and notes."--Sterling M. McMurrin, University of Utah

"I am very pleased with the convenience of this edition and [with] Professor Hoffmann's valuable general introduction, which so effectively summarizes and reviews key historical issues."--Harry Rosenberg, Colorado State University

"Not only a very useful and readable text but also a clear and informative introduction. This book is a first priority for theological libraries and for all working in this area of patristic studies."--Southwestern Journal of Theology

"Fills the gap of a long-needed and -desired English translation.... Establish[es] a solid base for the understanding of Celsus' polemic....Even the most experienced will find ample food for thought in this work."--Favonius

Language Notes

Text: English, Greek (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 19, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195041518
• ISBN-13: 978-0195041514
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Paganism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read..., December 30, 2000

By 

Angela B. Wade "rueyn" (Chattanooga, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians (Paperback)

While I had read numerous books with references to Celsus in them, I have just gotten around to reading a translation of his book "On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians."

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to read (due largely in part to the translator, R. Joseph Hoffmann). The text flows well from section to section, though it seems to be in no particular order.

Thankfully, the translator has included both a detailed introduction and 'notes' section. Both were extremely helpful in understanding certain passages contained within the main text, and the introduction (specifically) would be of interest to anyone who wants a better understanding of Celsus and/or the anti-Christian sentiment that existed during his time.

All in all, a good read, but not recommended for anyone who is staunchly Christian (i.e. cannot "willingly suspend disbelief) or does not have at least a general understanding of Christianity (obviously, there are numerous references both to Judaism and Christianity).

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 2nd century Dawkins, May 16, 2008

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The Spinozanator "Spinozanator" (Harlingen, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians (Paperback)

Written in 175 (or so) CE, Celsus reads a lot like modern day critics of Christianity such as Dennett, Harris, Dawkins, or Hitchens. Anti-Christianity arguments haven't changed significantly - just refined over the centuries. Celsus is the most accessible early Christian critic because of one of his opponents. Origen of Alexandria, a Christian apologist from the 3rd century has provided us with maybe 70% of the text of Celsus's "On the True Doctrine."

Some of the criticisms offered by Celsus:

*Jesus was born, not of a virgin, but as a result of Mary's tryst with a Roman soldier named Panthera.
*Since a religion had to be old to have any credence, Christians stole their legacy from the Jews.
*All the stories of the Jewish writings either originated from earlier mythology or were made up to prove a theological point or otherwise enhance the religious heirarchy.
*The same goes for early Christian writings, but with heavy reliance on any Jewish writings that could possibly be interpreted as a prophesy about Jesus.
*Rome had inherited its savior myths from far and wide, including resurrections from death - its re-enactment by the Christians in their gospels was transparent.
*All of the numerous early sects of Christianity fought over dogma and accused each other of heresy, frequently altering scripture to suit their local beliefs.
*The development of complicated theologies in Christianity happened because of the persistent embarrassing problem that Jesus never came again.

Celsus ridicules 2nd century Christians for being credulous enough to buy the story - rather than being a critic of Christian creeds. At times, he does it with quite a flair. The story of Noah and the flood is cast as a re-cycling of the Greek myth of Deuclion and the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. When he comes to the part about the dove coming back with a fig leaf, Celsus sarcastically adds, "or was it a crow."

This is a uniquely fascinating study from a very literate philosopher from the 2nd century, well versed in the teachings of Plato, Aristotle, and the religions of the time. Any student of this time period should find it of immense interest and I recommend it highly.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hellenic critique of Christianity, April 6, 2006

By 

T. Kalamaras "Scrivener" (Midwest USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians (Paperback)

After reading much about Julian the Apostate, the Roman Emperor who after Constantine's adoption of the faith, tried to revitalize syncretic pagan Hellenism as the state religion of Rome, I stumbled on this book.

The writing is lively and humorous. It challenges Christian dogma in many ways which moderns will recognize and find familiar and in some ways the reader will find most intriguing.

Atheists will find confirmation of their beliefs in this work, and Christians who can meet and answer the critique will be enriched as well.