Exploring the Lesser and Great Mysteries in Plato and Clement

The exploration of mystery religions and their influence on philosophical and theological thought has long intrigued scholars. Among those who have delved into these intricate connections is Scott Brown, whose paper Behind the Seven Veils, I: The Gnostic Life Setting of the Mystic Gospel of Mark offers profound insights into the gnostic contexts of early Christian writings. Brown's analysis sheds light on how Clement of Alexandria adapted the metaphors of lesser and greater mysteries from Greek philosophy, particularly from Plato, to describe the spiritual journey of the soul.

Clement's Adaptation of the Eleusinian Mysteries

In the Eleusinian mystery religions, the lesser mysteries were primarily purificatory, preparing initiates for the deeper revelations of the great mysteries. Clement of Alexandria appropriates this framework in his own teachings. According to Brown, Clement’s lesser mysteries involve “preliminary purifications and instruction” (Strom. IV.1.3.1–4), which serve to morally and intellectually transform the believer, progressively assimilating them to God.

Clement, inspired by Plato, envisions the purpose of these lesser mysteries as a process that helps initiates purify themselves of qualities that separate humans from angels—specifically, passions and sensual attachments that obscure true understanding. This purification enables them to see beyond mere appearances to the essence of things. Thus, Clement’s lesser mysteries encompass higher ethical standards and scientific knowledge (ἐπιστήμη) of the material cosmos, rooted in the encyclical disciplines of Hellenic education: music, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and dialectics (Strom. VI.10.80.1–4). These disciplines lay the groundwork for ethical behavior and intellectual comprehension, essential for preparing the aspiring gnostic for the great mysteries.

The Transition from Lesser to Great Mysteries

The great mysteries, as reconceived by Plato and further developed by Clement, involve apprehending purely noetic and spiritual realities beyond the material cosmos. This begins with the noetic world of Platonic philosophy. According to Brown, the lesser mysteries concern knowledge acquired through the senses, while the great mysteries pertain to supersensible realities apprehended by the mind and soul alone.

Clement describes the transition between these two types of knowledge through philosophy and the revealed knowledge of cosmogony. He refers to this method of investigation as “the gnostic science of nature” (γνωστικῆς παραδόσεως φυσιολογία; Strom. IV.1.3.2). Through an intellectual process of abstraction, knowledge of the material cosmos is used to discern the intelligible archetypes present in sensible realities, ultimately aiming to contemplate the Invisible through the sensible.

Scott Brown's Insights

Scott Brown’s analysis highlights the sophisticated intellectual framework Clement employs to guide believers from ethical and scientific knowledge to higher spiritual truths. By understanding the role of lesser and greater mysteries in Clement’s teachings, we gain a clearer picture of the spiritual ascent he envisioned for the true gnostic.

For those interested in a more detailed examination of these themes, Scott Brown's paper, Behind the Seven Veils, I: The Gnostic Life Setting of the Mystic Gospel of Mark, provides an essential resource. Brown's meticulous scholarship offers fresh perspectives on the connections between Greek philosophy and early Christian mysticism, enriching our understanding of these ancient texts.

Conclusion

The adaptation of mystery initiation metaphors by Clement of Alexandria, as explored by Scott Brown, reveals a profound interplay between Greek philosophical traditions and early Christian thought. By examining the lesser and greater mysteries, we uncover the path to spiritual enlightenment envisioned by Clement, rooted in a deep intellectual and ethical transformation. This journey from sensory knowledge to the contemplation of the divine underscores the enduring legacy of ancient philosophical and theological wisdom.