In this classic work in patristic studies, R. P. C. Hanson elucidates the views of the third-century theologian Origen on the nature and interpretaion of Scripture. The introduction by a leading Origen scholar sets Hanson's work in its context and explores its significance to Origen scholarship.

Origen of Alexandria (185-253 AD), also known as Origen Adamantius, was an early Christian scholar, ascetic, and theologian who was born and spent the first half of his career in Alexandria, Egypt. He was a prolific writer who wrote roughly 2,000 treatises in multiple branches of theology, including textual criticism, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, homiletics, and spirituality. He was one of the most influential and controversial figures in early Christian theology, apologetics, and asceticism. He has been described as "the greatest genius the early church ever produced".

Richard Patrick Crosland Hanson (1916-1988), was Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at the University of Durham (1962-4), Professor of Christian Theology at the University of Nottingham (1964-70), Bishop of Clogher (1970-3), Professor of Historical and Contemporary Theology at the University of Manchester (1973-82), and Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Manchester (1973-83).

During his tenure at Manchester he worked notably on the evolution of Christian theology in the period between (and immediately prior to) the Councils of Nicea (325 AD) and Constantinople (381 A. D.) A historian of antiquity (he claimed to distrust history written concerning periods subsequent to 600 AD) he was particularly noted for a life of St. Patrick. Other publications of his include 'Studies in Christian Antiquity' and 'The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God'.