487 Early Church History 7: Philo and Clement of Alexandria

This is part 7 of the Early Church History class.

Philo of Alexandria was the most well-known representative of Hellenistic Judaism in the first century. His many books combine Platonism with scripture via allegory--a daring project that had a massive influence on Christian thinkers. Clement of Alexandria followed in Philo's footsteps a century later, doing for the Christian scriptures what Philo had done for the Jewish bible. In addition to covering these two we'll take a couple of detours to learn about the city of Alexandria as well as a few of Plato's important ideas. Although overlooked today in most discussions of the history of Christology, Philo and Clement lay the foundations upon which Origen, the Cappodocians, and Augustine would build generations later.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WijYP1cGJlI&list=PLN9jFDsS3QV2lk3B0I7Pa77hfwKJm1SRI&index=7

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—— Notes ——

Alexandria (founded 331BC)

• named after Alexander the Great
• capital of Egypt for a millennium (until the Muslims came in 641)
• still the largest city on the Mediterranean
• had the Pharos light house (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world)
• had a massive world-famous library
• port city providing grain to Rome
• center of philosophical learning
• diverse and populous metropolis

Philo of Alexandria (20 BC – AD 50)

• Jewish Platonist philosopher
• heavily influenced by Plato
  • The true realm is the upper, spiritual, invisible world. (Allegory of the Cave)
  • A craftsman created our world based on the pattern of the eternal realm. (Timaeus)
  • Our souls are immortal and will escape our bodies at death, enabling us to perceive the eternal, unchanging realm. (Phaedo)
• applied allegorical interpretation method to the Old Testament (LXX)
• Logos
  • God’s organ to create and govern universe
  • second place next to God
  • God is the Father and wisdom [Sophia] is the mother of the Word [Logos]

Clement of Alexandria (AD 150 – 215)

• grew up non-Christians
  • traditional religion
  • mystery religion
  • schools of philosophy
• found Pantaenus to teach him
• books
  • Protrepticus (Exhortation to Greeks) c. 195
  • Paedagogus (Tutor or Educator) c. 198
  • Stromata (Miscellanies) c. 203