Entering the Inner Sanctuary: Clement of Alexandria’s Spiritual Hierarchy

Clement of Alexandria’s mystical teachings provide a detailed exploration of spiritual ascent, using rich allegorical language to describe different levels of spiritual insight and knowledge. Scott Brown, in his paper Behind the Seven Veils, I: The Gnostic Life Setting of the Mystic Gospel of Mark, delves into these intricate ideas, offering a deeper understanding of how Clement views the spiritual journey towards divine truth.

Three Levels of Spiritual Insight

Clement’s allegory categorizes individuals into three groups based on their level of spiritual insight: complete outsiders, ordinary church members, and complete insiders or true gnostics.

1. Complete Outsiders: These individuals perceive nothing of the divine. Clement describes them as those who rely solely on their senses and are shut out by the "outer veil":

   “So, then, the outer veil (κάλυμμα) is a barrier against popular disbelief, stretched out in front of the five pillars, shutting out those in the surrounding court. Hence, mark you, most mystically are the five loaves broken at the hands of the Savior and multiplied for the benefit of the crowd of listeners. For large is the crowd devoting itself to objects perceptible to the senses as if the only objects in existence! 'Look round and see,' says Plato, 'that none of the uninitiated is listening. Now, such people are the ones who suppose that nothing exists except what they can hold tight with both hands, and actions and occurrences and all that is unseen are not accepted (by them) as part of what exists' (Theaet.155e). Because such ones as these depend upon only the group of five senses, but the apprehension of God is inaccessible to the sense of hearing and to the kindred senses.” (Strom. V.6.33.3-6)

2. Ordinary Church Members: These are likened to the ordinary priests in the temple who can approach the divine but only as close as the veil before the holy of holies. They symbolize believers who have a certain level of spiritual understanding but are not yet fully enlightened.

3. Complete Insiders (True Gnostics): These individuals, represented by the high priest, have advanced moral and intellectual preparations that enable them to perceive the purely intellectual realities of the noetic world. Clement uses the high priest’s preparations on the Day of Atonement as a metaphor for the gnostic’s journey:

   “Now mark you, the ‘ruling’ priest (ὁ ἀρχιερεύς), having undressed from his consecrated garment, . . . washes himself and gets dressed in the other, so to speak, holy of holies garment, the one that goes with him into the innermost chambers (τὰ ἄδυτα), representing, it seems to me, the Levite and gnostic as a ‘ruler’ (ἄρχοντα) over the other priests—those priests washed in water and dressed in faith alone (μόνην) and expecting their own abode (μονήν)—he himself distinguishing the noetic things (τὰ νοητά) from those of sense perception, (and), according to a hierarchical progression, hastening past the other priests to the entrance to the noetic (world), to wash himself from the things here below—not in water, as he was previously cleansed on being enrolled in the tribe of Levi, but already by the Gnostic Word.” (Strom. V.6.39.3-4)

Gnostic Preparations and Contemplation

The gnostic undergoes extensive preparations before being worthy to enter the innermost sanctuary. Clement describes this in terms of surpassing other Christians in virtue, understanding, and service within the church:

“Being pure, after having set right his whole heart, and having expanded measurably his administration to the highest degree beyond that of the priest, in short being sanctified both in word and life; having dressed in the array of glory; having received the ineffable inheritance of that spiritual and perfect man, ‘which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which has not arisen in the heart of human beings’ (1 Cor 2:9); having become son and friend, he is now satisfied with the insatiable contemplation ‘face to face’ (1 Cor 13:12). There is nothing like obedience to the Word himself, who by means of the Scripture inspires fuller intelligence.” (Strom. V.6.40.1)

Scott Brown's Insights

Scott Brown’s analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of Clement’s use of allegory to describe spiritual ascent. Brown highlights how Clement’s allegorical exegesis is not just about intellectual knowledge but involves a profound moral and spiritual transformation. 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 descriptions of entering the inner sanctuary offer a profound vision of spiritual hierarchy and ascent. By categorizing individuals based on their spiritual insight and using rich allegorical language, Clement provides a framework for understanding the stages of spiritual development. Scott Brown’s insightful analysis helps us appreciate the depth of Clement’s mystical teachings, 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.