This book contains Origen’s answers to the charges which Celsus, in the person of a Jew, brings against the converts from Judaism to Christianity. Main charge is, that “they have forsaken the law of their fathers, in consequence of their minds being led captive by Jesus; that they have been most ridiculously deceived; and that they have become deserters to another name and to another mode of life.” Answer to these charges—chap. i. Digression upon certain declarations of Jesus in the Gospels—chap. ii. Ignorance of Celsus evinced by the manner in which he represents the Jew as addressing the Israelitish converts—chap. iii. Objection of Jew, that Christianity takes its origin from Judaism, and that after a certain point it discards Judaism: Answer—chap. iv. Assertion of Celsus, that Jesus was punished by the Jews for His crimes, already answered—chap. v. Observance by Jesus of Jewish usages and sacrificial observances, no argument against His recognition as the Son of God—chap. vi. Language of Jesus furnishes not the slightest evidence, but the reverse, of arrogance: Quotations—chap. vii. Allegation, that when men are willing to be deceived, many persons like Jesus would find a friendly reception; inconsistency of this; various other charges disposed of—chap. viii. Assertion of Celsus, that Jesus could not be deemed a god because he was currently reported to have performed none of his promises, and, after conviction and sentence, was found attempting to conceal himself and endeavouring to escape, and was then betrayed by his disciples; impossibility of such things, according to Celsus, happening to a god: Answer to these calumnies and objections—chaps. ix.-xi. Assertion of Celsus, that Jesus was inferior to a brigand chief, because He was betrayed by His disciples: Answer—chap. xii. Celsus asserts that he omits mention of many things in the life of Christ which he could state to His disadvantage; challenged to produce such: Several predictions of Jesus quoted and commented on—chap. xiii. Celsus makes light of the admission that future events were predicted by Jesus: Remarks of Origen in answer—chap. xiv. Assertion of Celsus, that the disciples of Jesus devised the fiction that He foreknew everything before it happened: Answer—chap. xv. Asserts that the disciples wrote the accounts they have given by way of extenuating the charges against Him: Answer—chap. xvi. Celsus alleges that a prudent man—much more a god or spirit—would have tried to escape dangers that were foreseen, whereas Jesus did the reverse: Answer—chap. xvii. Objection of Celsus, that the announcements which Jesus made regarding those disciples who were to betray and deny Him had not the effect of deterring them from their treason and perjury, shown to be self-contradictory—chap. xviii. Further statement of Celsus, that in such cases intending criminals abandon their intentions, shown to be untrue—chap. xix. Objection, that if Jesus