(1)
The Exhortation to the Greeks (or Protreptikos). This is an apologetical
work aimed at showing the influence of the Logos, or Divine Word,
throughout history in the education of mankind. It is in twelve chapters
and attacks the worthlessness and falsity of pagan beliefs and the
inadequacy of philosophy without God and the true religion found in
the teachings of the Prophets and Jesus Christ;
(2)
The Instructor of Children (or Paidagogos) is a three-part sequel to the
Exhortation and opens with an attack on the false knowledge of the
gnostics. True knowledge, rather, is a development of faith that begins
with the illuminative effects of baptism. St. Clement then proceeds to
present the Logos as an instructor of converts, particularly in regard to
the conduct of Christians in a pagan world;
(3)
The Miscellanies (or Stromateis) is a collection of eight books in which
St. Clement treats a whole variety of different topics. These include
the legitimacy of studying philosophy and the sciences, the relations
between faith and Christian gnosis, marriage, martyrdom, and the
religious life of a Christian, etc.
Other significant works of St. Clement include the Hypotyposes, an eight-
volume commentary on the Old and New Testaments and the Quis Dives
Salvetur?, a homily on St. Mark 10, 17-31, filled with unction and pious
reflections. Surviving fragments of other writings are mentioned by
Eusebius.
Extracts
Exhortation to the Greeks (Ante 200 AD):
1, 7, 1
“This Word, then, the Christ, the cause of both our being at first (for He was in
God) and of our well-being, this very Word has now appeared as man, He alone
being both, both God and man—the Author of all blessings to us; by whom we,
being taught to live well, are sent on our way to life eternal. For, according to that
inspired apostle of the Lord, the grace of God which bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, teaching us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for the
blessed hope, and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ.”
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