A magical view of Scripture

Origen apparently thought that “the mere words of scripture may have a beneficial effect, after the manner of a spell, upon the man who reads them, through certain spiritual powers which he supposes to be in intimate contact with our souls.” Footnote 1, p266. Philocalia, c. 12, p. 40, ed. Spencer and Huetius’ Origen, T. 1. P. 27. C. William Whitaker, Disputation on Holy Scripture. The footnote comes from Whitaker’s translator and editor, William Fitzgerald, I think.