Scott Brown's Twelve Enduring Misconceptions About "To Theodore" Misconception #4: There Is Something Erotic about a Young Man Wearing Only a Linen Sheet

In the scholarly exploration of the Letter to Theodore, a text attributed to Clement of Alexandria, one enduring misconception revolves around the depiction of a young man clad only in a linen sheet. Scott Brown challenges the modern interpretation that this detail implies something erotic or homoerotic.

The description in question occurs in the context of the mystical Gospel of Mark, where Jesus instructs the young man "after six days" while he wears a linen sheet over his naked body (Letter to Theodore II.6). This imagery has puzzled scholars who struggle to understand the significance of such attire in the narrative. Some interpretations have even labeled it as potentially homoerotic (Landry 2009, 374), which Scott Brown finds surprising and unfounded.

To unpack this, Brown draws parallels from Philo's description of a Jewish sect near Alexandria who, during warm weather, dressed in similar linen sheets while engaging in spiritual rituals (Philo, On the Contemplative Life 38). He argues that the linen sheet worn by the young man in the mystical Gospel of Mark symbolizes more than mere clothing—it signifies burial attire, akin to Joseph of Arimathea's linen sheet used to wrap Jesus' corpse (Mark 15:46).

This symbolic linkage, according to Brown, underscores a deeper theological theme within the mystical Gospel of Mark, where symbols like the linen sheet convey profound spiritual truths. The gospel employs Markan literary techniques, such as intercalation, to juxtapose narratives and enrich their interpretive depth. For instance, the linen sheet worn by the young man symbolizes his participation in Jesus' figurative baptism and the sharing of his suffering (Mark 10:35–45; 14:51–52).

Brown's interpretation aligns with Clement of Alexandria's exegetical approach, where symbols and allegories convey hidden spiritual teachings (Stromateis I.1.13.4). He emphasizes that viewing the linen sheet through a lens of eroticism overlooks its intended symbolic and theological significance. Instead, it should be understood within the broader context of Alexandrian Christian mysticism and allegorical interpretation.

In conclusion, Scott Brown's critique challenges the misconception that the linen sheet worn by the young man in the mystical Gospel of Mark suggests anything erotic. By examining its symbolic and theological implications, Brown illuminates how the gospel uses allegory to convey profound spiritual truths about discipleship and participation in Jesus' suffering.

For further insights into Scott Brown's analysis of early Christian texts and their interpretations, explore his detailed study here: Scott Brown's Paper on "To Theodore".

Stay tuned for more discussions on Scott Brown's critique of enduring misconceptions surrounding the Letter to Theodore in our ongoing series.

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