Clement of Alexandria

by Eric Osborn

Overview

Clement of Alexandria (150SH215) lived and taught in the most vibrant intellectual centre of his day. This book offers a comprehensive account of how he joined the ideas of the New Testament to those of the classical world, as represented by Plato. Clement taught that God was active from the beginning to the end of human history and that a Christian life should move on from simple faith to knowledge and love. Clement perceived a sequence of relationships flowing from the transcendent deity: first, God and his word, the Son, secondly, God and the world, and finally, human beings and their neighbors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521090810
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/12/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Eric Osborn is honorary Professor in History, La Trobe University and Professor Fellow in Classics, University of Melbourne. His most recent publications include Irenaeus of Lyons (2001).

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Life and works; Part I. Economy and Mobility: 2. Divine plan/economy and mobility; 3. Scripture; 4. Philo and Clement: from divine oracle to true philosophy; Part II. Divine Reciprocity: 5. God beyond God and God within God: the known centre of the unknown God; 6. God beside God: the ellipse; Part III. Faith and Salvation: 7. The spark and ferment of faith (exc 1.1.3); 8. Arguments for faith; 9. Knowledge, sciences and philosophy; 10. Church and heresy; 11. Twofold hope; 12. Love and reciprocity; Conclusion; Appendix.

Editorial Reviews

"This book deserves to be read widely, by patrologists, scholars of classical philosophy, historians of the early Church, theologians, and those working in related fields. Students of Clement, in particular, will be grateful for O's continued commitment to teach through writing."
Andrew Dinan, Ave Maria University, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"This book is carefully argued and thoughtfully presented, although Osborn's prose, as in his other works, is often dense and demanding. The reader's efforts are, however, quickly and happily repaid." —Michael Heintz, University of Notre Dame: Religious Studies Review

"...for anyone who wants to see a prime example of how Greek philosophy was appropriated and transformed by early Christianity, the study of Clement of Alexandria will be rewarding."
Ancient Philosophy, Lynne Spellman, University of Arkansas

From the Publisher