fredag den 11. april 2014

29. April 2014: Clement of Alexandria's view of Scripture (Str. 7.16)


Clement of Alexandria
(Titus Flavius Clemens)
(c. 150-215)

Tuesday April 29th

Though being an eclectic who engaged extensively with Greek culture and philosophy, Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215) had a high view of Scripture, which he believed to be divinely inspired.

Clement's negative theology, however, lead him to a highly parabolic understanding of Scripture, which he believed did not reveal truth directly, but through concealment.

In this workshop we will discuss some of Clement's claims about Scripture in relation to his views on faith, negative theology and his notion of concealment and allegory. 

What role does these things play in Clement's view of the relation between the words of Scripture and the Word? What does it mean to say that Scripture is 'true'? What is the relationship between revelation and the writings produced by the prophets?

We read and discuss selected passages from Stromateis 7.16

Text in greek (PG)|english (ANF). Also available at CCEL.

Other relevant passages are: Str. 1.7; 2.20.122; 6.8; 6.17.149; 6.127.

Contact jsteenbuch(at)hum.ku.dk for more information about time and place.