Appian Way Press

On First Principles: de Principiis

by Origen of Alexandria

Composed in the early third century, On First Principles represents a turning point in Christian intellectual history. Origen seeks not merely to defend the faith, but to explain its inner logic—how the doctrines of Scripture fit together into a meaningful whole. His work reflects a Church still defining its theological vocabulary while already wrestling with the deepest questions of God, humanity, and redemption. This edition presents a careful modernization of the classic Ante-Nicene Fathers translation. The original meaning and structure have been preserved while archaic language and tangled syntax have been clarified for today’s readers. The result is a readable, reliable English text designed for pastors, students, translators, and serious readers who want direct access to one of the most important theological works of early Christianity.