SOURCE: "Origen's Theology of the Spiritual Life," in Origen, Sheed & Ward, 1955, pp. 293-309.

In this essay, Daniélou examines Origen's contribution to the theology of the spiritual life or mystical theology that had an extensive influence in Western and Eastern monasticism, particularly through Origen's allegorical expositions of the Scriptures in which he traced the soul's pilgrimage back to union with God.

Origen occupies a conspicuous position in the history of exegesis and was the most eminent theologian in the early Church. The part he played in working out the theology of the spiritual life is historically no less important. This side of him was for long neglected by students, but it has recently been made the subject of a considerable number of monographs.¹ This is a consequence of the interest now taken in the study of spirituality: the subject has shown how important Origen is. Gregory of Nyssa...