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Visit PetersNet for access to our complete Catholic search engine. The Stromata, Or Miscellanies, Books VII-VIII Author: Clement of Alexandria Title: The Stromata, Or Miscellanies, Books VII-VIII Larger Work: The Early Church Fathers and Other Works Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., Edinburgh, Scotland, 1867 Description: The most important subject of this document is the relation of Christian faith to secular learning. Deals with refutation of Gnosis, and describes the true Gnosis and its relation to faith. The true gnostic strives for moral perfection, consisting in chastity and love of God. The Stromata, Or Miscellanies Book VII Chapter I The Gnostic A True Worshipper Of God, And Unjustly Calumniated By Unbelievers As An Athiest It is now time to show the Greeks that the Gnostic alone is truly pious; so that the philosophers, learning of what description the true Christian is, may condemn their own stupidity in rashly and inconsiderately persecuting the Christian name, and without reason calling those impious who know the true God. And clearer arguments must be employed, I reckon, with the philosophers, so that they may be able, from the exercise they have already had through their own training, to understand, although they have not yet shown themselves worthy to partake of the power of believing. The prophetic sayings we shall not at present advert to, as we are to avail ourselves of the Scriptures subsequently at the proper places. But we shall point out summarily the points indicated by them, in our delineation of Christianity, so that by taking the Scriptures at once (especially as they do not yet comprehend their utterances), we may not interrupt the continuity of the discourse. But after pointing out the things indicated, proofs shall be shown in abundance to those who have believed. | |
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