The Exhortation to the Greeks/The Rich Man's Salvation/To the Newly Baptized

Greek Fathers #5

by Clement of Alexandria, George William Butterworth (Translator)

Clement of Alexandria, famous Father of the Church, is known chiefly from his own works. He was born, perhaps at Athens, about 150 CE, son of non-Christian parents; he converted to Christianity probably in early manhood. He became a presbyter in the Church at Alexandria and there succeeded Pantaenus in the catechetical school; his students included Origen and Bishop Alexander. He may have left Alexandria in 202, was known at Antioch, was alive in 211, and was dead before 220.

This volume contains Clement's Exhortation to the Greeks to give up gods for God and Christ; "Who Is the Man Who Is Saved?" (an exposition of Mark 10:17–31, concerning the rich man's salvation); and an exhortation To the Newly Baptized. Clement was an eclectic philosopher of a neo-Platonic kind who later found a new philosophy in Christianity, and studied not only the Bible but the beliefs of Christian heretics.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Philosophy, Christianity, History, Classics, Christian

432 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 195

About the author

Neither Clement's birthdate or birthplace is known with any degree of certainty. It is conjectured that he was born in around 150. According to Epiphanius Scholasticus, he was born in Athens, but there is also a tradition of an Alexandrian birth.

His parents were pagans, and Clement was a convert to Christianity. In the Protrepticus he displays an extensive knowledge of Greek mythology and mystery religions, which could only have arisen from the practise of his family's religion.

Having rejected paganism as a young man due to its perceived moral corruption, he travelled in Greece, Asia Minor, Palestine and Egypt. Clement's journeys were primarily a religious undertaking. In Greece, he encountered an Ionian theologian, who has been identified as Athenagoras of Athens; while in the east, he was taught by an Assyrian, sometimes identified with Tatian, and a Jew, who was possibly Theophilus of Caesarea.

In around 180, Clement reached Alexandria, where he met Pantaenus, who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. Eusebius suggests that Pantaenus was the head of the school, but it is controversial whether the institutions of the school were formalized in this way before the time of Origen. Proponents of a formalized leadership and succession suggest that Clement succeeded Pantaenus as leader of the school, and was succeeded himself by Origen. Clement studied under Pantaenus, and was ordained to the priesthood by Pope Julian before 189. Otherwise, virtually nothing is known of Clement's life in Alexandria. He may have been married, a conjecture supported by his writings. Clement's diet is also unknown, but he said some things that look down upon eating flesh such as, "It is good...neither to eat flesh" and that even the fumes from cooked flesh "darken the soul"; however he said non-vegetarians aren't sinning except in certain circumstances such as those who eat flesh with "gluttony" and he was not opposed to all instances of eating meat.

During the Severian persecutions of 202–203, Clement left Alexandria. In 211, Alexander of Jerusalem wrote a letter commending him to the Church of Antioch, which may imply that Clement was living in in Cappadocia at that time. The date and location of his death are unknown.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

First essay, Exhortation to the Greeks, was quite informative. Any idea that paganism was some vague emotive-based view of the world, akin to 21st Century American Tolerance, goes out the window. Clement aggressively exposes the follies of paganism, quoting its own authors against (Homer, Hesiod mostly). This is a polemical work designed to show the contrast of paganism with Christianity. As such, it still bears reading today. The book also contextualizes some of the Pauline arguments against the then contemporary religious views.

The essay on salvation for the rich is interesting in that it attempts to give a Biblical reason to keep all of your money. Some points are well taken, others not so much. This essay could have come from a moderate prosperity gospel pulpit.

[Rod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clement. Best Church Father ever.

[Ed Creedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok translation, little antiquated (LCL any chance of a new edition sometime?)

Probably shouldn't put this on GoodReads everytime I read it this year, so I'll just do the first time.

Go read some Clement people.

[C. Çevik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Özellikle de The Exortation to the Greeks metni Hıristiyan bir yazarın pagan edebiyat ve felsefe dünyasına olumlu/olumsuz bakışını göstermesi bakımından önemlidir.

[Scot León Pfuntner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Kindle version was horrible- mismatched sentences and footnotes interspersed throughout the main text made it very confusing to read. I think Clement's writing would have been better by itself.

[Eric Sowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book given its age and author. At least worth reading to acquaint yourself better with a second/third-century Christian living in the world of paganism.

[Patrick]

A small collection of some of Clement of Alexandria's writings. Clement was one of the early christian leaders from the 2nd century who was steeped in knowledge of greek philosophy, and made use of that knowledge in many of his writings. He was one of the important founders of the Alexandrian school. This book includes the greek text as well as the english for those who can read that (which is not me, but it's still kinda cool).

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clement's 'Exhortation to the Greeks' is a fascinating, unique piece of early Christian literature, written with great knowledge of Greek poetry and tragedy, while most early Christians were only interested in Greek philosophy. It thus produces perspectives and descriptions of Christianity and its goals that don't sound like anything else. Remarkable and delightful, with many wonderful passages worthy of remembrance.

[James Violand · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early Church Father. His perspective is closer to the Lord but today may seem too strict in some areas and too lenient in others. He would probably condemn the world as it is today.