The Thinker Who Changed Christian Theology Forever — with Gerald Bray

Jan 6, 2026

Gerald Bray, a biblical scholar from Beeson Divinity School, dives into the life and legacy of Origen, a pivotal yet controversial figure in Christian theology. They discuss Origen's role as one of the first systematic theologians, his innovative biblical interpretations, and his unique allegorical method. Bray addresses Origen's views on universal salvation and the preexistence of souls, all while emphasizing the importance of appreciating his cultural context. Engage with the insights that still challenge and inspire theological reflection today!

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INSIGHT

Origen As First Systematic Theologian

Origen was the first Christian to systematically work through the whole Bible and shape a coherent theological framework.
His extensive writings and teaching established early practices in biblical scholarship and theology formation.

insights

INSIGHT

Pioneer In Biblical Textual Criticism

Origen pioneered textual criticism and promoted Hebrew study for accurate Old Testament interpretation.
His Hexapla compared multiple versions to clarify meaning and influence later scholarship.

insights

INSIGHT

Threefold Senses Of Scripture

Origen taught Scripture has layered meanings addressing body, soul, and spirit.
He argued different senses serve moral, intellectual, and spiritual formation respectively.

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Who Origen Was and His Life

00:40 • 10min

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Origen's Writing Output and Survival

11:06 • 42sec

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Origen as First Systematic Theologian

11:48 • 2min

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Origen's Biblical Scholarship and the Hexapla

13:38 • 4min

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All Scripture Matters and Its Purposes

17:18 • 2min

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Tripartite Interpretation: Body, Soul, Spirit

19:08 • 6min

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Origen's Use of Allegory Explained

25:14 • 60sec

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Controls on Allegory and Examples

26:14 • 11min

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Allegory in Modern Church Practice

37:07 • 2min

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Origen and Universal Salvation

39:15 • 41sec

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Ancient Views on Matter and Evil

39:56 • 4min

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Why Universalism Followed for Origen

44:06 • 4min

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Origen's Uncertainty About Satan's Fate

47:59 • 3min

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Preexistence of Souls and Hierarchies

51:25 • 2min

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Origen's Cultural Context Matters

53:50 • 1min

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Was Origen a Heretic?

55:13 • 4min

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How Christians Can Learn from Origen

59:22 • 2min

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What Origen Might Say to Today's Church

The Hexapla was a critical edition of the Hebrew Bible in six parallel columns, compiled by the early Christian scholar Origen in the 3rd century CE. It aimed to provide a comprehensive textual comparison of the Old Testament. The six columns typically included the Hebrew text, a transliteration of the Hebrew into Greek letters, and four different Greek translations: the Septuagint, and the translations of Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion. Origen created the Hexapla to clarify variant readings and to provide a basis for theological disputation between Christians and Jews. Although the complete Hexapla no longer exists, fragments have been reconstructed from quotations in other works. It represents a monumental achievement in textual criticism and biblical scholarship, reflecting Origen's deep engagement with the biblical text and his commitment to understanding its original meaning.

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The Song of Solomon is a lyric poem that extols the virtues of love between a husband and his wife. It presents marriage as God's design, emphasizing care, commitment, and delight within the marital relationship. The book is divided into three main sections: courtship, the wedding, and the maturing marriage. It also contains themes of physical and spiritual love, and some interpretations see it as an allegory for Christ's love for the Church.

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A Popular Exposition

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Few figures in church history are as controversial—or as influential—as Origen. Brilliant, speculative, and often misunderstood, his ideas sparked debate in his own lifetime and cast a long shadow over Christian theology for centuries to follow.

In this episode, Gerald Bray (Beeson Divinity School) joins us to explore who Origen really was, why some of his ideas were considered problematic, and why he remains impossible to ignore. We discuss Origen as a major turning point in the intellectual life of the church—one of the first to seriously systematize the Christian faith, ask hard questions, and push theology into new territory.

This conversation isn’t about rehabilitating Origen or dismissing him, but about understanding why engaging him still stretches the church’s thinking today—and why his legacy continues to provoke, challenge, and stimulate serious theological reflection.

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