Gary Pollard
[This is a continuing translation of Origen’s systematic theology in modern language]
In our understanding, there is no rational creature that cannot choose either good or evil. But this does not mean that every rational being has in fact chosen full pursuit of evil—it only means that they are capable of doing so. For example, every human being could in theory become a sailor, but not every human does. Or again, everyone could learn grammar or medicine, but not all become grammarians or physicians. In the same way, the fact that all rational creatures are capable of evil does not mean they have actually embraced it. Even the devil himself was once capable of good. Scripture tells us that he once lived in God’s paradise, walking among the cherubim. At that time, he was good. He could have pursued goodness, but he pursued evil with all of his power. In the same way, other created beings with the freedom to choose can either continue to do good or pursue evil instead.
The only ones who aren’t capable of evil are God the father, Christ the Word, and his Holy Spirit. God is the source of all goodness. Christ is the living form of Wisdom itself, and Wisdom cannot become foolishness. Christ is Righteousness, and Righteousness cannot become unrighteousness. He is the Word, which cannot become irrational; He is Light, which darkness cannot overcome. His Spirit is holy by its very nature, not merely by practicing holiness—holiness is inseparably built into his very nature, and he cannot be made somehow less holy.
Any other being that is called holy is holy not by nature, but by participation in the Spirit. This kind of holiness can be lost because it’s not intrinsic, but is a gift. The same applies to righteousness or wisdom in a person: these are not built in to our nature, but can be pursued and gained—or neglected and lost. But if we completely dedicate ourselves to wisdom and goodness, we will always enjoy those things to some degree, depending on how seriously we pursue them. God, in his goodness, calls and draws all created intelligences toward that blessed end where sorrow, pain, and grief will vanish forever.
From what we have already discussed, I believe it has been shown clearly enough that it is not by chance or some arbitrary decision that the “principalities” maintain their authority, or that other orders of spirits occupy their positions. Instead, they received their ranks according to their merits. What those specific merits were we do not know, and it isn’t our place to investigate. It is enough to recognize that God is impartial and just, arranging everything according to each being’s progress and merits, as Paul says: “There is no partiality with God.”
So the office that an angel has exists because of its merits. The “powers” exercise authority because of their moral progress. The “thrones” (those who judge and rule) administer justice because of their worthiness. The “dominions” rule not by chance, but by merit. In this way, that great order of intelligent beings in the heavens is organized into a variety of roles and ranks.
The same principle applies to opposing powers. They are usually called “principalities” or “powers,” “rulers of the darkness of this world,” “spirits of wickedness,” or “unclean demons”, and do not hold these offices because they were created evil. They obtained them through their own choices, advancing step by step in wickedness until evil itself became their pursuit and even their delight. These make up a second order of rational creatures—those so consumed by impulse that they are unwilling, rather than unable, to turn back.
A third order of rational beings is humanity itself. From among the human race, God elevates some to the order of angels, according to their progress in virtue. These are the ones who become “sons of God,” “children of the resurrection,” “children of light,” and “sons of peace.” They conquered in every struggle, killed the earthly nature within them, and defeated not only the impulses of the body but even the unstable movements of the soul. By uniting themselves to the Master, they become entirely spiritual, joined to him as one spirit, sharing his wisdom and discernment. At last, they reach a state of perfect spirituality, illuminated fully by God’s Word and Wisdom, and they themselves become indistinguishable in holiness.
We firmly reject, however, the idea put forward by some that souls can descend so far into sin that they lose their rational nature and become animals. Some point to supposed proofs in Scripture, such as the command that both a woman and an animal involved in bestiality should be stoned, or that an ox which gores must be killed, or even that Balaam’s donkey spoke with a human voice. But such arguments are baseless. We do not accept them, for they contradict both faith and reason. In due time, we will explain how those writings should rightly be understood.
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