Origen of Alexandria is a controversial character in Christian history. Some of his ideas were rejected by the church, the pre-existence of souls, for example. But there is some debate about whether the Second Council of Constantinople actually anathematized Origen or just certain ideas which claim to have their beginning with Origen. Regardless of his controversy, his influence is undeniable and remains to this day. His post as the head of the catechetical school in Alexandria, which post he began at age 18, helped to spread his fame. He especially influenced Athanasius and the three Cappadocian fathers. In fact, St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzus compiled excerpts from Origen’s work into one book called the Philokalia. He was hailed by many as The Teacher and is considered the first systematic theologian. His book On First Principles or De Principiis is that work of systematic theology. In it he addresses the Trinity, free will, spiritual warfare, biblical interpretation, and more. Because of the Origenist Controversy many of his works were destroyed. Reconstructing this work is a controversy all its own. Scholars are unsure of the original texts and work is ongoing trying to recover his work. John Behr has recently contributed to Origen scholarship by his own edition and translation of On First Principles. For one so influential and so early (he was born A.D. 180), a student of Church History or early Christian theology can hardly avoid reading this great work. Despite his faults he was a man of the church. He submitted his exegesis and speculation to be judged by the church, writing, “We maintain that that only is to be believed as the truth which in no way conflicts the tradition of the church and the apostles” (Bk. I. Preface)