Comparing Language and Authorship in Clement's Works: The Letter to Theodore and Stromata 7.16

Clement of Alexandria, an early Christian theologian, has left a significant mark on Christian literature with his extensive writings. Among his works, the Letter to Theodore and the Stromata (Miscellanies) stand out for their deep theological insights and sophisticated use of language. This blog post compares a passage from the Letter to Theodore with a passage from Stromata 7.16, focusing on whether the language and style suggest that the same person wrote both texts.

Passage from the Letter to Theodore

In the Letter to Theodore, we find the following passage:

Οὗτοι γὰρ οἱ προφητευθέντες ἀστέρες πλανῆται, οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς στενῆς τῶν ἐντολῶν ὁδοῦ εἰς ἀπέρατον ἄβυσσον πλανώμενοι τῶν σαρκικῶν καὶ ἐνσωμάτων ἁμαρτιῶν. Πεφυσιωμένοι γὰρ εἰς γνῶσιν, ὡς λέγουσιν, τῶν βαθέων τοῦ Σατανᾶ λανθάνουσιν εἰς τὸν ζόφον τοῦ σκότους τοῦ ψεύδους ἑαυτοὺς ἀπορρίπτοντες καὶ καυχώμενοι ἐλευθέρους εἶναι δοῦλοι γεγόνασιν ἀνδραποδώδων ἐπιθυμιῶν. Τούτοις οὖν ἀντιστατέον πάντῃ τε καὶ πάντως. Εἰ γὰρ καὶ το ἀληθὲς λέγοιεν, οὐδ᾽ οὕτω συμφωνοίη ἂν αὐτοῖς ὁ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐραστής.

Passage from Stromata 7.16

In Stromata 7.16, Clement writes:

πάντων δὲ ἀνθρώπων τὴν αὐτὴν κρίσιν ἐχόντων οἱ μὲν ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ αἱροῦντι λόγῳ ποιοῦνται τὰς πίστεις, οἱ δὲ ἡδοναῖς σφᾶς αὐτοὺς ἐκδεδωκότες βιάζονται πρὸς τὰς ἐπιθυμίας τὴν γραφήν. δεῖ δ', οἶμαι, τῷ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐραστῇ ψυχικῆς εὐτονίας· σφάλλεσθαι γὰρ ἀνάγκη μέγιστα τοὺς μεγίστοις ἐγχειροῦντας πράγμασιν, ἢν μὴ τὸν κανόνα τῆς ἀληθείας παρ' αὐτῆς λαβόντες ἔχωσι τῆς ἀληθείας. οἱ τοιοῦτοι δέ, ἅτε ἀποπεσόντες τῆς ὀρθῆς ὁδοῦ, κἀν τοῖς πλείστοις τῶν κατὰ μέρος σφάλλονται εἰκότως, διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ἀληθῶν καὶ ψευδῶν κριτήριον συγγεγυμνασμένον ἀκριβῶς τὰ δέοντα αἱρεῖσθαι. εἰ γὰρ ἐκέκτηντο, ταῖς θείαις ἐπείθοντο ἂν γραφαῖς.

Analysis of Language and Style

Common Themes

Both passages exhibit a deep concern with truth (ἀλήθεια) and the dangers of false teachings. In the Letter to Theodore, Clement warns against the deceitful teachings of the Carpocratians, who he describes as "wandering stars" (ἀστέρες πλανῆται) leading people into an "endless abyss of fleshly and bodily sins." Similarly, in Stromata 7.16, he contrasts those who follow true doctrine with those who indulge in pleasures and distort scripture.

Use of Similar Phrases

A striking similarity is the use of the phrase "τῆς ἀληθείας ἐραστῇ" (lover of truth). In both texts, this phrase highlights the ideal of loving and seeking truth, a central theme in Clement's thought. Morton Smith, in his analysis, notes this phrase as fundamental to Clement's theology and polemic against heresies .

Sophisticated Rhetoric

Both passages employ sophisticated rhetorical techniques, such as antithesis and wordplay. For example, the Letter to Theodore uses the antithesis of seeming truth versus real truth (ψεύδους ἑαυτοὺς ἀπορρίπτοντες καὶ καυχώμενοι ἐλευθέρους εἶναι δοῦλοι γεγόνασιν ἀνδραποδώδων ἐπιθυμιῶν). Similarly, Stromata 7.16 contrasts the true followers of doctrine with those misled by pleasures.

Morton Smith's Observations

Morton Smith observes that the phrase "τῆς ἀληθείας ἐραστῇ" is an echo of Plato and is fundamental to Clement's thought, appearing in polemics against those who misuse scripture . This consistent use of Platonic echoes and the focus on truth further support the idea of a single authorship.

Conclusion

The linguistic and thematic parallels between the passages from the Letter to Theodore and Stromata 7.16 suggest a strong case for single authorship. The consistent use of key phrases, rhetorical techniques, and thematic concerns with truth and false teachings are hallmarks of Clement's style. Morton Smith's observations on the phrase "τῆς ἀληθείας ἐραστῇ" further reinforce this connection, indicating a coherent theological and rhetorical approach across Clement's works.