Origen of Alexandria stands at the headwaters of the entire history of Gospel reading. In this study of the earliest extant Gospel commentaries, Samuel Johnson explores questions, often associated with modern Gospel criticism, that were already formative of the first moments of the Christian interpretative tradition. Origen's approach to the Gospels in fact arose from straightforward historical and literary critical judgments: the Gospel narratives interweave things that happened with things that did not. Origen discerned that the Gospels depict events in Jesus's life not merely as matters of historical fact, but also figuratively. He did not just interpret the Gospels allegorically. Johnson demonstrates that Origen believed the Gospel writers themselves were figurative readers of the life of Jesus. Origen thus found no contradiction between discerning the truth of the Christian Gospels and facing the critical challenges of their literary form and formation. Johnson's study shows how they constitute a single unified vision.

‘Johnson’s marvelous volume on the incomparable Origen is thoroughly engaging and consistently insightful. It dispatches some influential caricatures of the church father and, more importantly, enables us to fathom what he was really up to. One comes away with a fresh appreciation of Origen’s towering brilliance and (even judged from our own time) sophistication. One hopes that The Life of Jesus in the Writings of Origen of Alexandria will find readers not only among patristic scholars and historians of doctrine but theologians and biblical scholars.’

Dale C. Allison, Jr - Richard J. Dearborn Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary

‘In this thoughtful study, Samuel Johnson engages in a ‘thoroughgoing inquiry into Origen’s own account … of the historical and literary challenges occasioned by the narratives of the life of Jesus.’ Origen has been both maligned and valued as one who anticipated contemporary biblical criticism: Johnson’s careful observations help readers to place this influential thinker both in his own time and in the flow of Christian thought. Thoroughly engaging, the book is the fruit of a writer who values precision, while also showing the implications of his findings for Christian piety and formation. Even those who remain unconvinced by its rehabilitative empathy for Origen are well warned here to avoid caricature, and to think more deeply about matters of history, the sensus plenior, and the faith.’

Edith M. Humphrey - William F. Orr Emerita Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

‘In this brilliant study, Samuel Johnson shows that Origen wrestles with many of the same critical questions asked by contemporary exegetes. Origen’s approach eschews historical naïveté, while nonetheless remaining theologically compelling. Johnson’s insightful retrieval of Origen has the potential to reshape narratives about the quest and to reframe debates about theological interpretation.’

Michael Patrick Barber - Professor of Scripture and Theology, Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology