Origen of Alexandria, Against Celsus 1

To Celsus, who wants to slander Christianity, a major point is that Christians form secret agreements with each other, contrary to established laws, since some agreements are open—those made according to laws—while others are hidden, those made contrary to what is established. He also wants to slander the so-called love Christians have for one another, claiming it arises only from common danger and can overcome any obstacle. Since he accuses Christians of making agreements in violation of the common law, the response must be this: just as someone who has come to live among the Scythians, who have laws contrary to custom, and who has no chance to leave, would be forced to live among them, it would be reasonable for that person, because of the law of truth, as opposed to the Scythians' lawlessness, to make agreements with those who share his views, contrary to the Scythians' established laws. So too, when judged by the truth, the laws of the nations—laws concerning idols and the godless multitude of gods—are Scythian laws, and even more impious than the Scythians. It is therefore not unreasonable to make agreements contrary to established laws for the sake of truth. Just as, for example, if some people were to make secret agreements to overthrow a tyrant who had seized the city, they would be doing well; so also Christians, with the so-called devil tyrannizing among them along with falsehood, make agreements contrary to established laws against the devil and for the salvation of others, whom they may be able to persuade to turn away from the law of the Scythians and the tyrant.