Origen of Alexandria, Against Celsus 2

Next Celsus declares that the doctrine is barbarian in its origin — by which he means Judaism, the root from which Christianity springs. He does not, however, reproach the word for having a barbarian beginning; on the contrary, he speaks reasonably and even praises barbarians for having discovered adequate doctrines. Yet he goes on to claim that Greeks are superior when it comes to judging, confirming, and practicing toward virtue those very things barbarians first found.

From his own words we can therefore construct a defense of the truths that lie within Christianity: someone who comes to the word from Greek doctrines and disciplines would not only recognize them as true but, by putting them into practice, would also build up and complete whatever appears lacking by the standards of Greek proof, thereby establishing the truth of Christianity.

Still more must be said: there exists a proper proof of the word that is more divine than the Greek proof derived from dialectic. The apostle names this higher proof a demonstration "of spirit and power" (1 Cor 2:4). It is "of spirit" because the prophecies are sufficient to bear witness to anyone who engages them, especially concerning Christ; and it is "of power" because of the tremendous mighty works, which must be affirmed as having occurred — not only on the testimony of many other sources but also because traces of them are still preserved among those who live according to the will of the word.