New "Deep Dive" Podcast Episode 15: Was There a Collection of Letters at the End of the Original Stromateis? (Part Two)

 

Podcast 15

Summary 

The sources suggest that Clement of Alexandria’s work, Stromateis, may have originally been structured as a series of letters, which he later incorporated into the larger text. The authors provide evidence for this claim by pointing to other known letters of Clement, as well as passages within Stromateis that resemble the style of letters. They also analyze the structure of Stromateis and note that it contains multiple shorter sections that appear to have been joined together. Furthermore, the authors examine Clement’s approach to interpreting the Gospel of Mark, highlighting how he frequently avoids direct commentary on the text. This suggests that Clement was adhering to a specific tradition regarding the interpretation of this particular gospel, which may have been a factor in the original structure of his work. 

Here are some potential implications of the theory that Clement of Alexandria's "Stromateis" was initially a collection of letters: 

● Clement's use of letters as "patches" in his larger work suggests a unique approach to composition in early Christian literature. The sources posit that Clement repurposed existing letters, incorporating them into the "Stromateis." This method, likened to assembling a patchwork, highlights the potential fluidity of early Christian texts and the creative ways authors like Clement might have integrated different forms of writing. 

● The theory could provide a new understanding of the structure and development of "Stromateis." If the text originated from letters, it implies that the current form of "Stromateis" might be a result of later revisions and organization. This challenges traditional views of the work as a unified treatise and invites scholars to reconsider the relationship between its various parts. 

● The existence of other letters by Clement, such as Pseudo-Basil Epistle 366 and the "great epistle" mentioned by Ishodad of Merv, lends credibility to this theory. These examples demonstrate that Clement was a prolific letter writer, making it plausible that letters could have formed a substantial part of his work, including "Stromateis." 

● The identification of letter fragments within "Stromateis," particularly those seemingly related to discussions on Mark's Gospel, offers potential avenues for reconstructing Clement's earlier ideas and teachings. By isolating and analyzing these letter portions, scholars might glean insights into the evolution of Clement's thought and his engagement with specific scriptural interpretations. 

● The theory raises questions about the endings of Clement's works and their potential connection to his epistolary writing. Similarities between sections of "Stromateis" and "To Theodore," particularly their shared focus on Mark 10, suggest a possible link between Clement's letters and the concluding portions of his larger works. This connection could offer valuable clues about how Clement intended to conclude his writings and the significance he placed on specific themes and ideas. 

The sources propose that the presence of letter-like sections, the existence of other letters by Clement, and thematic connections between "Stromateis" and known letters all point to the intriguing possibility of "Stromateis" originating from a collection of letters. This theory, if further substantiated, has the potential to reshape our understanding of Clement's writing practices, the composition of early Christian texts, and the development of "Stromateis."