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Heavenly Dialogue in
Origen Against Celsus
8.15.

BLATZ LAYTON DORESSE

(74) He said: Lord, there are (74) He said, "O lord, there 78 [74]. He said: "Lord,
many about the well, but no are many around the many are round the opening
one in the well. drinking trough but nothing but nobody in the well!"
in the cistern."

Visitor Comments Scholarly Quotes

There are many people close F. F. Bruce writes: "This appears to be said by one of the disciples to Jesus. The well
to knowing the truth, but is the well of truth: many approach it without getting into it. Celsus, the anti-
none that truly do. Christian writer of the second century, quotes the saying (in Greek) from the
- seeker of truth Heavenly Dialogue of the Ophite Gnostics. [As quoted by Origen, Against Celsus
Blessed is one who is in the viii. 16. For the general idea compare Saying 23 (p. 124). The form is simiar to that
well. That one wants of a Greek mystery-saying quoted by Plato: 'The wand-bearers are many, but the
nothing, and the heart's initiates are few' (Phaedo 69c).]" (Jesus and Christian Origins Outside the New
desire is fulfilled. Those Testament, p. 141)
clamoring around the Gerd Ludemann writes: "This remarkable aphorism, which Thomas probably
drinking trough want attributes to Jesus (or is Jesus the Lord who is addressed?), has an equivalent in the
something. They will receive anti-Christian philosopher Celsus (c. 180 CE), who read it in a writing with the title
life if they enter the well. 'Heavenly Dialogue'. It was in circulation among the Gnostic group of the Ophites
But they will not enter. For (serpent worshippers). There it runs, 'Why are there many around the well and no one
there is nothing in the well. in the well?' Evidently the aphorism is meant to encourage the Gnostic to stop being
- Simon Magus a bystander and enter, in order also to be able to drink the water of knowledge."
Many thirst for higher (Jesus After 2000 Years, p. 627)
knowledge but this is not
delivered until the time is
right, the place is right, the
people is right, and the
teacher is right. All these
elements must come into
correct juxtaposition before
any significant can be
accomplished. Anything less
is inadequate
- Thief37
Those who fall into the
opening become nothing.
Those who become nothing
will not taste of death.
- Dai Gidan
Entering the well is an act of
will. It's nice if all the
conditions are just right, but
if you wait for that, forget it,
you'll just be another one at
the entrance. Expect great
resistance internally and
externally.
- Zooie
Many people can talk about
the truth but few have
become the truth themselves.
- Unknown
74

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