Perhaps the so-called wars among the bees convey instructions as to the manner in which wars should be waged in a just and orderly way among men--if ever there arise a necessity for them. (Origen, Against Celsus 4.533)
This is taken by many to indicate that Origen advocated an early Christian form of the Roman just-war theory. In fact, however, the just-war doctrine was first enunciated by Cicero more than three hundred years prior. Context demonstrates that, rather than commending just-war doctrine, Origen is critiquing the Romans for never living up to their own standards of “just” warfare. Earlier, Origen makes it clear what he is doing in this comment, showing that the warfare of humans is unjust. Origen writes, "But we ought to admire the divine nature, which extended even to irrational animals the capacity, as it were, of imitating rational beings, perhaps with a view of putting rational beings to shame." His point is that in warfare, even bees are more humane than humans. Furthermore, it was Celsus who brought up the conduct of bees in his argument against the Christians. Origen has simply subverted the stunt, turning Celsus’s own metaphor against the Romans. The other statements of Origen we have already read make it abundantly clear that Origen opposed warfare, especially for Christians, and that he believed if the church was able to do its work—without becoming corrupted by the world—it could muster the power to prevent wars. Lest there be any doubt, this next quote will show that, even if Origen concedes that at times a certain war may be necessary, there can never be anything that is called a “good” war, or a “just” war, and no one is ever justified for participating in war:
Lest anyone should mistake my words, and find a pretence of wrongdoing, as if his wickedness were profitable to the world, or at least might be so, we have to say, that although God, who preserves the free-will of each individual, may make use of the evil of the wicked for the administration of the world, so disposing them as to conduce to the benefit of the whole; yet, notwithstanding, such an individual is deserving of censure, and as such has been appointed for a use, which is a subject of loathing to each separate individual, although of advantage to the entire city, while he himself was engaged in an abominable task, in which no one possessed of moderate understanding would wish to be engaged. Paul also, the apostle of Jesus, teaches us that even the very wicked will contribute to the good of the whole, while in themselves they will be amongst the vile, but that the most virtuous men, too, will be of the greatest advantage to the world, and will therefore on that account occupy the noblest position.... No one may take occasion from what has been said on this subject to commit sin, on the pretext that he will thus be useful to the world. (4.70)
Labels: Early Christians, Nonviolence, Pacifism
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