New "Deep Dive" Podcast Episode 17: Was There a Collection of Letters at the End of the Original Stromateis? (Part Four)

Podcast 17 

Summary 

The sources argue that Clement of Alexandria’s Stromateis, a major work of early Christian theology, was originally structured around a collection of letters that Clement later incorporated into the larger work. They further suggest that Clement’s motivations for writing Stromateis were directly related to his desire to respond to critiques of Christianity by the philosopher Celsus, particularly Celsus’s arguments against a group of Christians called the Carpocratians. The authors contend that Clement structured Stromateis in a way that echoes Plato's teachings on the need for secrecy regarding divine mysteries, while simultaneously defending the Christian faith from Celsus’s criticisms. 

Clement of Alexandria's Defense of Christianity 

Using Plato's Writings Clement of Alexandria, facing criticism of Christianity, particularly from the philosopher Celsus, strategically employed the writings of Plato to present a sophisticated defense of his faith. This defense wasn't a direct refutation of each of Celsus' claims but a broader repositioning of Christianity within the respected intellectual tradition of Platonism. One of the key issues raised by Celsus was the Christian practice of publicly proclaiming their sacred mysteries, a practice he considered incompatible with Plato's emphasis on the impermissibility of expressing divine truths in writing. Celsus particularly pointed to the "Harpocratians of Salome," a group of Christians known for openly discussing their beliefs. Clement addressed this criticism by structuring his major work, the Stromateis, in a way that mirrored Plato's caution against openly revealing profound truths. 

He organized the Stromateis into seven "veils" or layers of knowledge, echoing the Platonic idea of concealing sacred knowledge from the uninitiated. This structure, Clement argued, demonstrated that Christians, like true Platonists, could speak in enigmas and safeguard their teachings. Furthermore, Clement suggested that the Stromateis was initially intended to conclude with a collection of letters, including one titled "To Theodore". This epistolary format further aligned the Stromateis with Plato's own body of work, which prominently features letters. Clement seems to have believed that this structure, with its emphasis on gradual revelation and its connection to Platonic literary forms, would effectively counter Celsus's accusation that Christians were carelessly broadcasting sacred mysteries. Clement's use of Plato's writings extended beyond the structure of the Stromateis. 

He specifically addressed Celsus's citation of Plato's Second Epistle, where Plato argued that the divine cannot be fully expressed through writing. Clement agreed with this point and used it to emphasize that true understanding comes not just from reading but also from learning and experiencing the divine. In essence, Clement's defense strategy involved demonstrating that Christianity was not a departure from the esteemed philosophical tradition of Platonism but rather a tradition that shared its core values regarding the nature of truth and the proper way to approach divine knowledge. By aligning Christian practices with Platonic ideals, Clement aimed to elevate Christianity in the eyes of its critics and demonstrate its compatibility with the prevailing intellectual currents of the time.