A Dissertation on the Books of Origen against Celsus

"A Dissertation on the Books of Origen against Celsus,' by Francis Cunningham is a comprehensive exploration of Origen's defense of Christian beliefs against the criticisms of Celsus. It provides a detailed examination of Origen's responses and the evidence offered to support Christian doctrine during the early 19th century. As a scholarly work, the core of the book is the theological arguments delivered by Origen, which challenge Celsus, an Epicurean philosopher attempting to weaken Christianity. Cunningham structures the book to examine the historical background of Jewish writings, the life of Jesus, and the traits and teachings of early Christians. Cunningham points out that Origen's responses confirm the Christian faith and highlight the moral character and objectives of early teachings. In essence, the dissertation underscores the continuing relevance of these historical debates in understanding Christianity's origins.