Following in Christ's footsteps: The ideal of the imitation of Christ in Origen's spiritualit

The aim of this dissertation is to examine the meaning and significance of the ideal of the imitation of Christ in Origen's spirituality. It maintains that the ideal of imitation of Christ is for Origen the prevailing theme which shapes his own life as well as his conception of the Christian life as spiritual ascent of which the ultimate goal is union with God. This study pursues its subject primarily based on Origen's exegetical and practical expositions rather than on those of his dogmatic works. The intention which underlies this study is to highlight Origen's identity and role as a pastor and teacher who kept his eyes on the practical aspects of Christianity centered in the lives of ordinary Christians.;Chapter I provides introductory words concerning the concept of Christian spirituality, the meaning and significance of the ideal of the imitation of Christ in Christian spirituality, and a brief account of Origen's spirituality and his ideal of the imitation of Christ.;Chapter II sketches the general outlines of the historical development of the idea of the imitation of deity in the ancient Greco-Roman, Jewish and early Christian traditions.;Chapter III deals with the trends of scholarship on Origen's spirituality and makes an assessment of studies on this subject.;Chapter IV, the core of this dissertation, examines Origen's ideal of the imitation of Christ, including the accounts of Origen's understanding of the nature of human being, the Christian life as the soul's journey to God, Christ the model for imitation, and his ideal of the imitation of Christ in martyrdom, the ascetic, and the contemplative life.;Chapter V is a brief concluding remark to evaluate the role and importance of the ideal of the imitation of Christ in the shaping of Origen's life and theology.