1) Origen's third theme of warfare. He has an interesting twist on this idea that is linked to being a martyr. He feels we are called first to an inner war - to fight that which brings conflict within our soul. Having fortified our character, we are called to change the world through active non-resistance. So how do we fortify our character, you may ask? Origen says through training. He believed that God acts as a divine goldsmith who hammers us into an object of beauty suitable for his grandeur. He also believed that we are supernaturally fortified to make choices of character. So he sees both our will and God's grace as being active in our lives.
2) Origen's approach to reading Scripture is called the allegorical method. He believed that Scripture was so powerful that every word is trying to speak to our lives. It has more authority than we know. Rather than needing to be viewed as literally true, reading Scripture can be like watching a movie - although the story may not be literally true, its meaning or message can speak powerfully to us.
Origen invites us to enter Scripture and listen to what God is saying. Scripture interprets our human existence. He says that if you want to be wise, don't study anything... go to Scripture.
As an aside, this reminds me of much of what I'm reading now in working on a presentation about an ancient form of reading and prayer called Lectio Divina. So many authors both ancient and contemporary describe personal experiences of how significant their relationship with Scripture is, but I resist actually sitting down and entering this relationship. I'd rather read a book about it! In part I'm probably lazy, part unwilling to submit, and part mistrustful that I will be able to hear anything.
Of course, Origen speaks to my resistance. He says that we need to learn the symbolic language of God by coming to the Scripture with an intention and openness to learn. That's pretty simple. Just be open to being spoken to and willing to learn to hear this voice that wants to speak to our hearts.