The Preface to Pamphilus’s Apology

In the preface to Pamphilus’s Apology, after a few other remarks, I said: ‘What Origen’s opinions are may be gathered from the course of this treatise. But as for the points on which he is found to contradict himself, I will show how this came about in a few words, which I have added at the close of this preface. As for us, we believe what has been handed down to us by the holy prophets: that the holy Trinity is coeternal, and is of one power and substance; and that the Son of God in these last days was made man and suffered for our sins, and in that very flesh in which he suffered rose from the dead, and so gave the hope of a resurrection to the whole human race. When we speak of the resurrection of the flesh, we do so without any evasions, as some slanderously claim. We believe that the flesh which is to rise is this very flesh in which we now live. We do not put one thing in place of another, nor, when we say body, do we mean something different from this flesh. If, then, we say that the body is to rise again, we speak as the apostle spoke, for body was the word he used. Or if, again, we speak of the flesh, our confession agrees with the words of the creed. It is a foolish and slanderous invention to imagine that the human body can be anything but flesh. Whether, then, we say that it is the flesh which is to rise again, according to the common faith, or the body, according to the apostle, our belief must be held as the apostle defined it: that what is to rise again is to be raised in power and in glory, an incorruptible and a spiritual body. So while we maintain the surpassing excellence of the body or flesh that is to be, we must hold that the flesh which rises again will be real and complete. The actual nature of the flesh will be preserved, while the glorious condition of the uncorrupted and spiritual body will not be impaired. For so it is written: “Corruption will not inherit incorruption.” This is what is preached at Jerusalem in the church of God by its reverend bishop John; this is what we confess and hold with him. If anyone believes or teaches anything besides this, or thinks that we believe otherwise than as we have stated, let him be anathema.’ If, then, anyone wishes to have a statement of our faith, he has it in these words. And whatever we read or affirm, or whatever translations we make, we do it without harm to this faith of ours, according to the words of the apostle: “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” “And as many as follow this rule, peace be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” [a]