Heavenly Ascent in Clement of Alexandria: Transcending the Third Heaven
The Apostle Paul’s Testimony
Clement draws on the apostle Paul’s mystical experience to illustrate the ineffable nature of the divine:
"I know a man in Christ, caught up into the third heaven, and thence into Paradise, who heard unutterable words which it is not lawful for a man to speak," -- intimating thus the impossibility of expressing God, and indicating that what is divine is unutterable by human power; if, indeed, he begins to speak above the third heaven, as it is lawful to initiate the elect souls in the mysteries there. (Stromata 5.12.79.1)
Here, Clement emphasizes the transcendence of God and the limitations of human language in capturing the divine essence. The reference to the "third heaven" and "Paradise" suggests a layered understanding of the cosmos, where higher levels correspond to deeper spiritual truths.
Beyond the Third Heaven
Clement’s interpretation implies that the spiritual journey extends far beyond the third heaven. This ascent is not merely about reaching a higher plane but about transcending the entire created order:
"Whether, then, the time be that which through the seven periods enumerated returns to the chiefest rest, or the seven heavens, which some reckon one above the other; or whether also the fixed sphere which borders on the intellectual world be called the eighth, the expression denotes that the gnostic ought to rise out of the sphere of creation and of sin." (Stromata 4.25.159)
Clement envisions a cosmos structured in multiple layers or heavens, culminating in the "fixed sphere" that borders the intellectual or divine world. This ultimate sphere represents a state beyond creation and sin, where the soul can achieve perfect rest and union with the divine.
Influences and Philosophical Context
Clement’s ideas are heavily influenced by Hellenistic philosophy, particularly Platonism, and Jewish mysticism. The concept of ascending through various heavens reflects Platonic thought, where the soul seeks to return to its original divine source by transcending material reality.
Plato and Philo: Plato’s influence is evident in the distinction between the material and the divine realms. Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, also employed this framework, interpreting Jewish scripture allegorically to reveal deeper philosophical truths. Clement synthesizes these traditions, using them to frame his Christian mysticism.
Gnostic Elements: Clement's description of the ascent aligns with Gnostic cosmology, where the soul ascends through various aeons or spheres to reunite with the divine Pleroma. However, Clement’s orthodox Christian orientation ensures that his mystical framework remains distinct from Gnostic dualism, focusing instead on the integration of the soul into the divine unity.
The Practical Implications
For Clement, the heavenly ascent is not merely a theoretical construct but a practical spiritual journey. The gnostic, or enlightened Christian, must rise above the physical and moral constraints of the world to achieve true knowledge and divine union. This ascent involves both intellectual and ethical purification, moving from the material to the spiritual.
Conclusion
Clement of Alexandria’s exploration of heavenly ascent provides a fascinating window into early Christian mysticism and its philosophical underpinnings. By integrating Platonic, Philonic, and Gnostic elements, Clement offers a comprehensive vision of the soul’s journey toward divine union. His writings invite believers to transcend the limitations of the physical world and strive for the ultimate rest in the presence of God, beyond the highest heavens.
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