The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 1 (of 2)Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Religion
The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
The Stoics also, whom he mentions too, say not well that the Deity,
being a body, pervades the vilest matter. He calls the jugglery
of logic “the tradition of men.” Wherefore also he adds, “Avoid
juvenile[901] questions. For such contentions are puerile.” “But virtue
is no lover of boys,” says the philosopher Plato. And our struggle,
according to Gorgias Leontinus, requires two virtues--boldness and
wisdom,--boldness to undergo danger, and wisdom to understand the
enigma. For the Word, like the Olympian proclamation, calls him who is
willing, and crowns him who is able to continue unmoved as far as the
truth is concerned. And, in truth, the Word does not wish him who has
believed to be idle. For He says, “Seek, and ye shall find.”[902] But
seeking ends in finding, driving out the empty trifling, and approving
of the contemplation which confirms our faith. “And this I say, lest
any man beguile you with enticing words,”[903] says the apostle,
evidently as having learned to distinguish what was said by him, and
as being taught to meet objections. “As ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and
stablished in the faith.”[904] Now persuasion is [the means of] being
established in the faith. “Beware lest any man spoil you of faith in
Christ by philosophy and vain deceit,” which does away with providence,
“after the tradition of men;” for the philosophy which is in accordance
with divine tradition establishes and confirms providence, which,
being done away with, the economy of the Saviour appears a myth, while
we are influenced “after the elements of the world, and not after
Christ.”[905] For the teaching which is agreeable to Christ deifies
the Creator, and traces providence in particular events, and knows
the nature of the elements to be capable of change and production,
and teaches that we ought to aim at rising up to the power which
assimilates to God, and to prefer the dispensation[906] as holding the
first rank and superior to all training.
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