July 13, 2013

Ante-Nicene Fathers (Volume 2) - XXII - Book 8 of 'The stromata or miscellanies'

Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Volume 2) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Book 8 of 'The stromata or miscellanies'.

My summary
Today Clement of Alexandria gives us a much smaller book than in previous weeks.

The whole of the book is concerned with examining philsophical methodology (God is barely mentioned)

In particular, Clement looks at how to make correct definitions.

What grabbed me

Clement is right to encourage us to apply ourselves to study apart from the Scriptures: 'But it belongs to him who has sought, to find; and to him to seek, who thinks previously that he does not know. Hence drawn by desire to the discovery of what is good, he seeks thoughtfully, without love of strife or glory, asking, answering, and besides considering the statements made. For it is incumbent, in applying ourselves not only to the divine Scriptures, but also to common notions, to institute investigations, the discovery ceasing at some useful end. '

There is indeed true knowledge outside of the Scriptures which is worthwhile learning. 

It doesn't bring salvation, but it is incredibly useful nonetheless.

Next week's reading
Read the 'Fragments of Clements Alexandrius'.


Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

No comments: