Clement of Alexandria: A Project of Christian Perfection (Hardcover)

Introduction Part one 1.1.Life and works re-examined 1.2.The Catechetical school as a part of Clement's puzzle. 2. Hellenistic Judaism and its role in Clement's project. 2.1. Moses as the archetype of perfection: Philo of Alexandria and Clement. 2.2. The role of the metaphor of the High Priest: Philo, Clement and the Letter to the Hebrews. 2.3. The Hebrew attitude of fo&boj and its role in Clement's project. 3. Philosophical scholae inspiring Clement's project. 3.1. Pythagoras and Plato: their influence on Clement's ideal. 3.2. The Stoics and philosophical therapy. 3.3. Clement's eclecticism as a hermeneutical method. 4. Alternative hetero-Gnostic models of perfection in Clement's work. 4.1. Traditions - Scriptures - diversity. 4.2. Basilides and Valentinus and their schools in Clement's dossier. 4.3. The libertine groups and the extreme ascetic sects. PART TWO 5. The path to perfection. 5.1. Becoming a Gnostic - becoming Cherubim-like. 5.2. Becoming a contemplative Gnostic - becoming the Gnostic Levite. 5.3. The climax of perfection. 6. Ekklesia Gnostike - the natural habitat of the Christian Gnostic. 6.1. Membership and the marks of the church. 6.2. The manifold functions of the Church. Conclusion Bibliography Biblical Index Modern Authors