That's a good question. After investigating the question thoroughly, we (my buddy Tim and I) think it probably has something to do with his threefold interpretation of Scripture. http://www.andras-nagy.com/origen.html
Origen held that all Scripture can be understood on three levels, body (literal), soulish (the psyche), and spirtual (the mysteries of God). We think the scroll may be the literal word, Jesus in the cup refers to Communion and thereby the soul's sanctification and ascent to Heaven, and the flame on his head symbolizes the mystery.
I'm fascinated by the connection to Dante. He also wanted to interpret things on three levels; Dante's contribution was applying that to some secular literature, such as his own Divine Comedy. A letter where he talks about that is in the Richter anthology we used for Lit Topics.
You're Origen!
Yeah...why is he holding Jesus in a cup?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question. After investigating the question thoroughly, we (my buddy Tim and I) think it probably has something to do with his threefold interpretation of Scripture. http://www.andras-nagy.com/origen.html
ReplyDeleteOrigen held that all Scripture can be understood on three levels, body (literal), soulish (the psyche), and spirtual (the mysteries of God). We think the scroll may be the literal word, Jesus in the cup refers to Communion and thereby the soul's sanctification and ascent to Heaven, and the flame on his head symbolizes the mystery.
I'm fascinated by the connection to Dante. He also wanted to interpret things on three levels; Dante's contribution was applying that to some secular literature, such as his own Divine Comedy. A letter where he talks about that is in the Richter anthology we used for Lit Topics.
I'm fairly sure Dante's literary theory (common in the Middle ages -- derived possibly from Augustine?) actually interpreted works on four levels.
ReplyDeleteGranted, you've read him more recently than I. :-)
And that's a weird icon.
You know, I should research that. Posting bad info isn't the done thing, precious...
ReplyDelete