To these prophecy says, “If ye be willing and hear me, ye shall eat the good things of the land;” proving that choice or refusal depends on ourselves.
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter XVIII
Quotes
Greek philosophy was separate fragments of truth
So, then, the barbarian and Hellenic philosophy has torn off a fragment of eternal truth not from the mythology of Dionysus, but from the theology of the ever-living Word. And He who brings again together the separate fragments, and makes them one, will without peril, be assured, contemplate the perfect Word, the truth. Therefore it is written in Ecclesiastes: “And I added wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem; and my heart saw many things; and besides, I knew wisdom and knowledge, parables and understanding. And this also is the choice of the spirit, because in abundance of wisdom is abundance of knowledge.”
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter XIII
The Spirit spoke through the prophets
For the prophets and disciples of the Spirit knew infallibly their mind. For they knew it by faith, in a way which others could not easily, as the Spirit has said.
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter IX
Good works have no advantage without faith
And now we must look also at this, that if ever those who know not how to do well, live well; for they have lighted on well-doing. Some, too, have aimed well at the word of truth through understanding. “But Abraham was not justified by works, but by faith.” It is therefore of no advantage to them after the end of life, even if they do good works now, if they have not faith.
…For the teaching of piety is a gift, but faith is grace. “For by doing the will of God we know the will of God.”
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter
Philosophy paved the way for Christ
Philosophy, therefore, was a preparation, paving the way for him who is perfected in Christ.
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter V
Heresies are judged against tradition
The dogmas taught by remarkable sects will be adduced; and to these will be opposed all that ought to be premised in accordance with the profoundest contemplation of the knowledge, which, as we proceed to the renowned and venerable canon of tradition, from the creation of the world, will advance to our view; setting before us what according to natural contemplation necessarily has to be treated of beforehand, and clearing off what stands in the way of this arrangement. So that we may have our ears ready for the reception of the tradition of true knowledge;
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter I
Doctrine is preserved through Apostolic tradition
Well, they preserving the tradition of the blessed doctrine derived directly from the holy apostles, Peter, James, John, and Paul, the sons receiving it from the father (but few were like the fathers), came by God’s will to us also to deposit those ancestral and apostolic seeds. And well I know that they will exult; I do not mean delighted with this tribute, but solely on account of the preservation of the truth, according as they delivered it. For such a sketch as this, will, I think, be agreeable to a soul desirous of preserving from escape the blessed tradition.
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter I
The Scripture kindles the soul
Now the Scripture kindles the living spark of the soul, and directs the eye suitably for contemplation; perchance inserting something, as the husbandman when he ingrafts, but, according to the opinion of the divine apostle, exciting what is in the soul.
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter I
Greek philosophy is partially good and true
For each soul has its own proper nutriment; some growing by knowledge and science, and others feeding on the Hellenic philosophy, the whole of which, like nuts, is not eatable.
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter I
Faith is activated by love and free will
If, then, both proclaim the Word—the one by writing, the other by speech—are not both then to be approved, making, as they do, faith active by love? It is by one’s own fault that he does not choose what is best; God is free of blame.
…On him who by Divine Providence meets in with it, it confers the very highest advantages,—the beginning of faith, readiness for adopting a right mode of life, the impulse towards the truth, a movement of inquiry, a trace of knowledge; in a word, it gives the means of salvation. And those who have been rightly reared in the words of truth, and received provision for eternal life, wing their way to heaven.
…One’s own conscience is best for choosing accurately or shunning. And its firm foundation is a right life, with suitable instruction.
Clement of Alexandria
The Stromata, Book I
Chapter I