Contra Celsus - Orígenes (inglês).pdf

Origen. Contra Celsus
BOOK I.
PREFACE.
1. WHEN false witnesses testified against our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, He remained silent; and when
unfounded charges were brought against Him, He returned no answer, believing that His whole life and conduct
among the Jews were a better refutation than any answer to the false testimony, or than any formal defence
against the accusations. And I know not, my pious Ambrosius, why you wished me to write a reply to the false
charges brought by Celsus against the Christians, and to his accusations directed against the faith of the
Churches in his treatise; as if the facts themselves did not furnish a manifest refutation, and the doctrine a better
answer than any writing, seeing it both disposes of the false statements, and does not leave to the accusations any
credibility or validity. Now, with respect to our Lord's silence when false witness was borne against Him, it is
sufficient at present to quote the words of Matthew, for the testimony of Mark is to the same effect. And the
words of Matthew are as follow: "And the high priest and the council sought false witness against Jesus to put
Him to death, but found none, although many false witnesses came forward. At last two false witnesses came
and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and after three days to build it up. And the
high priest arose, and said to Him, Answerest thou nothing to what these witness against thee? But Jesus held
His peace." And that He returned no answer when falsely accused, the following is the statement: "And Jesus
stood before the governor; and he asked Him, saying, Art Thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said to him,
Thou sayest. And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then said Pilate
unto Him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And He answered him to never a word,
insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly."
2. It