New "Deep Dive" Podcast Episode 9: A Stromateis of What? (Part 5) Is Pseudo-Basil Epistle 366 Another Lost Letter of Clement of Alexandria

Podcast 9 

Summary 

This text presents a persuasive argument that Clement of Alexandria is the true author of Epistle 366, a letter attributed to Pseudo-Basil. The argument rests on the strong parallels between the Epistle and Clement's writings, particularly his Stromateis. The text highlights how both Epistle 366 and Clement's work share key themes such as self-mastery and spiritual ascent, often presented as a "patchwork" of earlier texts. Both emphasize the transformation of the body through spiritual discipline and the concept of a "spiritual body" that transcends material limitations. The author further connects Clement's ideas about the nature of angelic bodies and the divine nature of Jesus to concepts found in Epistle 366, further strengthening the case for Clement's authorship. Similarities and Differences Between Angelic and Gnostic Bodies in Clement of Alexandria Both Clement of Alexandria and Epistle 366 agree that angelic bodies are real and substantial, though made of a more refined substance than earthly bodies. Both also agree that Jesus is the ultimate model for the gnostic, who seeks to reach a similar state of spiritual perfection. This state is characterized by a lightness of body that allows for a greater connection to the divine, even while still embodied. 

However, there are key differences in how Clement and Epistle 366 describe these bodies and the means of achieving this lightness. 

Similarities: 

● Real and Substantial: Both Clement and Epistle 366 emphasize that angelic bodies are not metaphorical, but real entities with a form, even if this form is different from earthly bodies. 

● Jesus as Model: Both sources uphold Jesus as the ultimate example of the spiritual state that the gnostic strives to achieve. This state is marked by a lightness of body and a detachment from earthly needs. 

● Lightness of Body: Both sources connect spiritual ascent with a lightness of the physical body. This lightness signifies a closer alignment with the divine and a lessening of earthly constraints. 

Differences: 

● Nature of Lightness: Clement emphasizes that Jesus's lightness comes from his inherent divine nature, allowing him to transcend material limitations. This contrasts with Epistle 366, which doesn't elaborate on the mechanics of this lightness in Jesus's case. 

● Achieving Lightness: Clement focuses on self-mastery and spiritual discipline as the path to achieving a lighter, more angelic body, mirroring the transformative process described in Epistle 366. However, Epistle 366 doesn’t explicitly link this transformation with self-mastery. 

In summary, while both Clement and Epistle 366 agree on the reality of angelic bodies and the role of Jesus as a model for gnostic striving, they diverge in their explanations of how this lightness is achieved and its implications for the gnostic's journey.