A Very Short Introduction to Clement of Alexandria
A Very Short introduction to Clement of Alexandria will be held over two Monday evening sessions (20th Jan 2025 6:45 to 8pm and 27th Jan 2025 6:30 to 7:45pm 2025). The first session will provide an overview of the context and contribution of Clement whilst the second session will provide an opportunity to reflect on and discuss some extracts from his writings.
Clement of Alexandria (c.150 - 214 AD) - not to be confused with Clement of Rome - lived and worked in one of the most important cultural, religious & trade centres of the ancient world. His writings reflect this eclectic setting and address three distinct audiences of his day – unorthodox Christian sects (the “Gnostics”), simplistic Christian believers, and educated non-Christians.
Writing at the end of the second century, approximately 150+ years post-Resurrection, Clement was well versed in the “writings of the Church”. But the inspired texts with which he was familiar are not identical with those you’d find in a Bible today, as the process of the formation of the canon (agreed collection of texts) was still underway.
The eclectic religious and philosophical atmosphere of Alexandria had given rise to various unorthodox Christian sects (collectively often referred to as the “gnostics”), and Clement’s opposition to such groups form a major theme in his writings. For Clement, Christ is the supreme Teacher, and his teachings (handed on by the apostles) are the true “gnosis” (knowledge), in opposition to the speculations of the gnostic sects.
A major theme in Clement’s work is his determination to show that Christianity is not alien to the highly prized Greek culture and philosophy of the day. Instead, Clement presented the teachings of Christ to his educated audience as the supreme philosophy. We’ll therefore also touch on his approach to “apologetics” (the defence/presentation of the Christian faith).
In short, Clement will provide us with an opportunity to reflect on these three key topics of Scripture, Knowledge and Apologetics.
These sessions are the first in a series focussing on four important figures from early Egyptian Christianity, spanning the late-second to mid-fifth centuries. Each set will provide an introduction to the individual in question, covering their life, work and unique contribution to the issues of their day with the aim to provide inspiration and provoke reflection for us in our contemporary setting.
Do I need to have any previous knowledge?
Absolutely no previous knowledge of Church history or theology is assumed (although clergy or readers with some background knowledge will still find much of interest). If you’ve read all the way down to this bit and are still interested, you’re sufficiently qualified to attend!
Location
These sessions will be held in the Liddon Room at Pusey House (go through the entrance on St Giles', then immediately turn left and go up the stairs).
Do I need to book?
There is no charge for this event, but it would be good to know if you're planning to attend. And the reading material for the discussion based session will be sent to those known to be attending. So please do book!