Clement of Alexandria’s Mystical Ascent: From Lesser to Great Mysteries

Clement of Alexandria's mystical teachings offer a profound and intricate understanding of spiritual purification and ascent. Scott Brown, in his insightful paper Behind the Seven Veils, I: The Gnostic Life Setting of the Mystic Gospel of Mark, explores these concepts, shedding light on Clement’s allegorical language and the stages of spiritual development within his framework.

Moral and Intellectual Purification: The Lesser Mysteries

In Clement’s mystery religion parlance, the stage of moral and intellectual purification following baptism constitutes the lesser mysteries. This process can be metaphorically described as a washing “from the things here below.” Clement refers to the gnostic’s ability “to discern the intelligible archetypes present in sensible realities,” which is acquired through the gnostic science of nature. This science serves as the bridge between the lesser and great mysteries.

The remainder of this purification process involves the divine secrets, honors, and unmediated vision of God that the gnostic receives inside the adyta, corresponding to the great mysteries and the epopteia (the highest form of mystical vision) in Clement’s mystery religion language.

Contrasting Baptism and High Priestly Washing

Clement contrasts the preparation for entering the innermost sanctuary with the lesser purification of baptism. He alludes to two priestly washings: the ritual washing involved in any priest’s enrollment (Exod 29:1, 4; Lev 8:6) and the washing required of the high priest before entering the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:3–4). Ordinary priests, who correspond allegorically to ordinary Christians lacking gnosis, undergo a literal washing in water, symbolizing Christian baptism.

In contrast, the high priest undergoes a figurative washing “from the things here below,” which is not in water. This purification of the soul from earthly things is preparatory to entering the noetic world and achieving the eventual “insatiable contemplation ‘face to face.’” This process is completed by only a few, as implied by the high priest’s status as “a ruler over the other priests” and explicitly stated in Stromateis V.6.35.5: “the noetic world . . . is hidden and closed to the many.”

The High Priest as a Metaphor for the Gnostic

Clement’s comparison of the gnostic to the high priest further illuminates the mystical experience described in the Letter to Theodore as entering the innermost sanctuary of the truth (I.26). This metaphor highlights the extensive moral and intellectual purification required to achieve this level of spiritual ascent. The process is necessitated by the principle that only the holiest of the holy can enter God’s presence, a principle echoed in Clement’s teachings.

Scott Brown's Insights

Scott Brown’s analysis emphasizes how Clement uses these allegorical interpretations to convey the stages of spiritual ascent. Brown points out that Clement’s metaphorical language is not just about intellectual knowledge but involves a profound transformation of the soul. This transformation prepares the gnostic to perceive and understand the deeper truths of the divine.

For those interested in exploring these themes further, Scott Brown’s paper Behind the Seven Veils, I: The Gnostic Life Setting of the Mystic Gospel of Mark is an essential resource. Brown meticulously examines Clement’s cosmology and soteriology, offering readers a nuanced perspective on the spiritual ascent envisioned by early Christian mystics.

Conclusion

Clement of Alexandria’s mystical teachings on the ascent from lesser to great mysteries offer a profound vision of spiritual development. By using rich allegorical language, Clement provides a framework for understanding the stages of purification and the ultimate goal of unmediated divine vision. Scott Brown’s insightful analysis helps us appreciate the depth of Clement’s mystical theology, offering a valuable perspective on the hidden mysteries of early Christian spirituality. For a thorough exploration of these profound ideas, Brown’s paper is an invaluable guide.