Evidence for Irenaeus’s Familiarity with the Stromata in the Preface to Adversus Haereses

"Truer than the Truth": Unmasking Clement’s Influence on Irenaeus

In our continuing exploration of Irenaeus’s familiarity with Clement of Alexandria’s Stromata, we turn our attention to the notion of something being "truer than the truth" (της αληθειας αληθεστεραν) as articulated by Irenaeus in the preface to Adversus Haereses. This concept is a clear indication of Clement's influence on Irenaeus, particularly when examined in light of their shared terminologies and philosophical engagements.

Irenaeus’s Preface to Adversus Haereses

In the preface to Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus writes:

"One far superior to me has well said, in reference to this point, 'A clever imitation in glass casts contempt, as it were, on that precious jewel the emerald (which is most highly esteemed by some), unless it come under the eye of one able to test and expose the counterfeit. Or, again, what inexperienced person can with ease detect the presence of brass when it has been mixed up with silver?'"

Irenaeus uses this analogy to emphasize the deceptive nature of heretical teachings, which appear "truer than the truth" (της αληθειας αληθεστεραν) to the inexperienced. He attributes this clever deception to the Valentinians, whom he seeks to expose.

Clement’s Stromata on True Truth

Clement of Alexandria, in Stromata 7.15.91.6, addresses a similar theme:

"Hence we are rightly condemned if we withhold our assent to the things which we ought to believe, because we fail to distinguish what is incongruous and unseemly and unnatural and false from what is true and consistent and seemly and natural; and these helps we should make full use of in order to gain a knowledge of the real truth (τῆς ὄντως οὔσης ἀληθείας)."

Clement speaks of the necessity of discerning the "real truth" (τῆς ὄντως οὔσης ἀληθείας) amidst falsehoods, drawing a parallel to Irenaeus’s critique of deceptive teachings. The use of similar language and conceptual frameworks suggests a direct engagement between the two Church Fathers.

Morton Smith and the Connection to the "Letter to Theodore"

Morton Smith further reinforces this connection by noting a parallel in Clement’s "Letter to Theodore," where Clement discusses the "true truth" (τἀληθῆ ἀλήθεια, τῆς ἀληθοῦς ἀληθείας). This hyperbolic expression underscores the emphasis on genuine knowledge and aligns with the themes explored in the Stromata.

The Role of Celsus’s True Account

The terminology and concepts used by Clement and Irenaeus may also be traced back to Celsus’s True Account, a pagan critique of Christianity under Commodus around 180 CE. Celsus addressed the multiplicity of Christian sects and their conflicting claims to truth, prompting Clement to defend the diversity within the Alexandrian Church by drawing a parallel with the philosophical diversity among Greeks.

Celsus’s critique highlighted the difficulty of discerning truth amidst competing sects, which Clement countered by advocating for a discerning approach to knowledge, akin to that of a “skillful moneylender.” This defense is evident in Stromata 7.15’s reference to the "real truth" (τῆς ὄντως ἀληθείας), which he argued could be found through gnostic inquiry.

Irenaeus’s Parody and Engagement with Clement

Irenaeus’s phrase "truer than the truth" (της αληθειας αληθεστεραν) can be seen as a parody of these hyperbolic statements found in Clement’s writings. By mocking the notion of hyperbolic truth claims, Irenaeus critiques the esoteric knowledge espoused by Clement and his contemporaries.

Moreover, the analogy used by Irenaeus about detecting counterfeits in glass and metals mirrors a similar parable from Polycarp of Smyrna. This alignment further suggests that Irenaeus was channeling Clement’s ideas and engaging with his works critically.

Conclusion

The fourth piece of evidence for Irenaeus’s familiarity with the Stromata in the preface to Adversus Haereses centers on the shared theme of discerning true knowledge amidst falsehoods. Clement’s discussion of the "real truth" in the Stromata and his "Letter to Theodore" parallels Irenaeus’s critique of deceptive teachings that appear "truer than the truth."

This engagement highlights Irenaeus’s critical stance towards Clement’s esoteric tradition and his broader mission to refute heretical teachings. By examining these conceptual and terminological overlaps, we gain a deeper understanding of the polemical dynamics between these early Church Fathers and the philosophical influences that shaped their writings.