After this, selecting from all the treatises which contain allegorical
explanations and interpretations, expressed in a language and style not
to be despised, the least important,[704] such as might contribute,
indeed, to strengthen the faith of the multitude of simple believers,
but were not adapted to impress those of more intelligent mind, he
continues: “Of such a nature do I know the work to be, entitled
_Controversy between one Papiscus and Jason_, which is fitted to excite
pity and hatred instead of laughter. It is not my purpose, however, to
confute the statements contained in such works; for their fallacy is
manifest to all, especially if any one will have the patience to read
the books themselves. Rather do I wish to show that Nature teaches this,
that God made nothing that is mortal, but that His works, whatever they
are, are immortal, and theirs mortal. And the soul[705] is the work of
God, while the nature of the body is different. And in this respect
there is no difference between the body of a bat, or of a worm, or of a
frog, and that of a man; for the matter[706] is the same, and their
corruptible part is alike.” Nevertheless I could wish that every one who
heard Celsus declaiming and asserting that the treatise entitled
_Controversy between Jason and Papiscus regarding Christ_ was fitted to
excite not laughter, but hatred, could take the work into his hands, and
patiently listen to its contents; that, finding in it nothing to excite
hatred, he might condemn Celsus out of the book itself. For if it be
impartially perused, it will be found that there is nothing to excite
even laughter in a work in which a Christian is described as conversing
with a Jew on the subject of the Jewish Scriptures, and proving that the
predictions regarding Christ fitly apply to Jesus; although the other
disputant maintains the discussion in no ignoble style, and in a manner
not unbecoming the character of a Jew.
Footnote 704:
τὸ εὐτελέστερον.
Footnote 705:
ψυχὴ.
Footnote 706:
ὕλη.