New "Deep Dive" Podcast Episode 12: Is the End of the Manuscript Discovered by Morton Smith the End of the Original Manuscript of Clement's Letter?

Podcast 12 

Summary 

This text is a critical analysis of the ending of Clement of Alexandria's Letter to Theodore, arguing that the phrase "Ἡ μὲν οὖν ἀληθὴς καὶ κατὰ τὴν ἀληθῆ φιλοσοφίαν ἐξήγησις" is the original conclusion to the letter. The author, Stephan Huller, contends that the Letter shares structural similarities with Clement's Stromateis, a work known to have had multiple, variant endings. He draws on Photios of Constantinople’s commentary on the Stromateis to demonstrate that the letter’s abrupt ending aligns with Clement’s established practice of concealing profound theological truths from the uninitiated. By analyzing Clement’s use of the phrase "Ἡ μὲν οὖν," Huller argues that Morton Smith's discovery of the Letter to Theodore is authentic and that the text’s ending is not a forgery.

Significance of the Phrase in Clement's Writings 

The phrase "Ἡ μὲν οὖν ἀληθὴς καὶ κατὰ τὴν ἀληθῆ φιλοσοφίαν ἐξήγησις" is significant in understanding Clement's writings because it: 

● Indicates how Clement ended his writings: This phrase serves as a fitting end to Clement's Letter to Theodore, mirroring how he concludes discussions in Stromateis and how his predecessors, Thucydides and Josephus, ended their historical narratives. 

● Exemplifies Clement's method of concealing sacred teachings: Similar to how Clement scattered teachings throughout Stromateis to safeguard sacred mysteries, he concludes the Letter to Theodore with this phrase immediately after citing the Alexandrian gospel. This abrupt ending, echoing the structure of Stromateis, suggests a deliberate attempt to protect deeper knowledge from the uninitiated. 

● Supports the authenticity of the Letter to Theodore: The use of this phrase disproves forgery claims and highlights the structural and thematic parallels between the Letter to Theodore and Stromateis, reinforcing its place within Clement's body of work. 

● Emphasizes the importance of Clement's "true" exegesis: This phrase, particularly the part "κατὰ τὴν ἀληθῆ φιλοσοφίαν" ("according to true philosophy"), stresses the significance of Clement's specific interpretation of the gospel, especially the Alexandrian text of Mark, aligning with his detailed exposition in "Who is the Rich Man that will be saved?"