Although Christianity spread across Northern Africa and contributed significantly to the theological development of the universal Church, the faith faced many internal and external challenges and ultimately experienced a significant decline due to the Arab Muslim conquests of the 7th century. In the meantime, Christianity in Northern Africa flourished. For six centuries after Mark, the apostle is said to have instructed Northern Africans in the faith, Christian communities grew and became intellectual centers of thought and learning. The region produced influential theologians and scholars such as Origen and Cyril of Alexandria.

Origen (184-253 AD) is considered one of the greatest early Christian theologians and scholars. He is known for his extensive work on biblical exegesis. He developed the threefold interpretation of scripture: the literal, the moral, and the allegorical (spiritual). This approach influenced later Christian hermeneutics and gave us three of the “four senses of sacred scripture” the Church uses even today.

The literal sense is the plain, direct meaning of the text. It is what the words themselves denote without looking for any deeper or symbolic meaning. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), the literal sense involves understanding the narrative as it is: a man is attacked by robbers, helped by a Samaritan, and taken to an inn.

The moral sense looks for ethical teachings within the text. It seeks to understand how the passage instructs readers on right living and moral conduct. From the same parable of the Good Samaritan, the moral sense might emphasize the lesson of loving and helping one's neighbor, encouraging readers to act with compassion and kindness towards others.

The allegorical or spiritual sense goes beyond the literal meaning to find deeper, often hidden spiritual or theological significance. This interpretation often links Old Testament events to New Testament revelations. Interpreting the Good Samaritan allegorically, the Samaritan might represent Christ, who heals and cares for humanity (the wounded man). At the same time, the inn could symbolize the Church, where believers receive care and nourishment.

Origen's threefold approach to biblical interpretation—literal, moral, and allegorical—provided a multifaceted way to engage with Scripture, allowing believers to understand and apply the Bible's teachings in various dimensions of their spiritual lives. Origen also attempted to reconcile Christian doctrine with Neoplatonic philosophy, which helped to lay the groundwork for future theological developments in the universal Church.

Origen is one of many examples of how people who lived in Northern Africa during the first five centuries played formative roles in shaping Christianity as we know it today. In a real sense, Christianity grew out of Northern Africa, much as it did out of Southwest Asia and Southern Europe.

As we encounter this North African theologian, we should ask: Why did Origen believe it was important to interpret the Bible on these three levels? How do the three approaches complement each other in understanding Scripture? How would Origen's method of interpretation help modern Christians deepen their faith and understanding of the Bible?