Clement of Alexandria's
Stromateis takes a different approach to apologetics. Like Kierkegaard's Either/Or, it's considerably less systematic than most apologetic works. In a way, that's nice. One can open the book almost at random and pick up interesting lines of thought. Please take a quick look at "any" part of
Stromateis. Cite here any line you find of particular interest and explain why you think a philosophically-minded person might find the ideas of Clement attractive.
Two things stuck out to me in Book V, Chapter 1, On Faith. “The philosophers of the Greeks are called thieves, inasmuch as they have taken without acknowledgment their principal dogmas from Moses and the prophets.” Now, I don’t have enough knowledge regarding the philosophers or the prophets to know exactly what he is referring to here, but it seems like a philosophically-minded individual could be attracted to a claim such as this. If you are already a proponent of the ideas of the Greeks, and then you hear that they got their ideas from the Hebrews, aren’t you going to want to check out what the Hebrews had been saying? By doing so, you might come around to the ideas of Christianity.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that caught my attention: “Faith, then, we say, we are to show must … be … accompanied with investigation. For I do not say that we are not to inquire at all. For ‘Search, and you shall find,’ Matthew 7:7 it is said.” I think a philosophically-minded person would appreciate this. A lot of people complain about organized religion that it’s just people being told what to think, how to feel, and who to believe. Clement is saying, “No, go ahead, investigate this for yourself.” He’s not telling people what to believe, but insisting that they find out for themselves what their faith entails and why. That’s good advice.
One thing that I found in the Clement reading that I thought was very interesting was in Chapter 2. "Moreover they say that we very absurdly welcome with the greatest eagerness the charges against their nation for the sins they committed". This oddly reminds me of the ending of World War 1 in a way. At the end of that war, everything was blamed on the Germans, and they were made to pay back every country that was involved in the war. The other countries were so eager to put the blame on Germany and charge them for the "sins" of the other countries.
ReplyDeleteIn talking about Clement of Alexandria, I must say he is not particularly one of my favored church fathers. The reason is that he spoke about women in a very demeaning way, and don't get me wrong, I do understand a lot of that was just the product of the times. However, other church fathers managed not to demean women from this historical period. So he is not without fault for the horrid ways he talked about women.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as this blog post poses, what did he offer that could be liked and appreciated from a philosophical perspective? For that, a ton can be enjoyed as he was great at incorporating philosophies into his writings for the church. One of my favorite lines from him is, "There is one river of truth in which receives tributaries from every side." This quote shows a great point of philosophical reasoning while also being very accurate about the truth Christianity offers. Christianity is the one actual truth, but following this truth will likely, at times, put you at odds with others in this world.
Tanner Simon
Clement of Alexandria's Stromateis had a line in Book 1, Chapter 5 that I thought captures a big idea in Clement's potential thought process. It goes, "Philosophy, therefore, was a preparation, paving the way for him who is perfected in Christ by the training given beforehand." This line is something that could definitely intrigue a philosophically-minded Greek philosopher.
ReplyDeleteI find this method of thinking to be very reasonable, and thoughtful. As Clement of Alexandria isn't directly rejecting philosophy and their ways of thinking, yet still is directing them towards Christ. This method of thinking to me is very open-minded and would ultimately respect a philosophers mind to pursue deeper ideas and seek truth.
Luke Reierson
Stromateis, Book VI, Chapter 7:
ReplyDelete“The way to truth is long and hard, but it is a way for those who love truth more than opinion.”
Clement doesn’t offer a systematic philosophy in the modern world. Instead, he speaks in a reflective, exploratory mode that values truth over system, journey over destination, and transformation over mere information. For a philosophically inclined person, especially one who values the pursuit of wisdom as a personal and moral endeavor, Clement’s approach can be both challenging and inspiring. His line reminds us that the life of the mind is also a life of the heart and that both must be oriented toward truth.
--Jacob Geppert
One particularly thought-provoking line from Book I, Chapter 5 of Stromateis is: “Philosophy, therefore, was a preparation, paving the way for him who is perfected in Christ.” This passage reflects Clement of Alexandria’s generous approach to the relationship between faith and reason. Instead of rejecting Greek philosophy as incompatible with Christianity, Clement embraces it as a divinely guided form of preparation, helping people move toward truth and ultimately to Christ. A philosophically minded person might find this idea appealing because it gives value to intellectual inquiry and secular learning as meaningful steps in the search for ultimate wisdom. Clement portrays philosophy as a useful servant to theology, cultivating moral discipline, sharpening reason, and awakening the soul to higher truths. His allegorical interpretations of Scripture, such as comparing Sarah and Hagar to divine wisdom and secular culture, show his belief that philosophy is not just tolerated but providentially intended as a training ground for faith. In a world that often separates faith and intellect, Clement’s vision invites a thoughtful harmony between them.
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