Introduction. Clement as Scriptural Exegete: Overview and History of Research

Abstract

The meeting in Olomouc, the Czech Republic, in May 2014 was the first international conference devoted entirely to the subject of Clement’s scriptural exegesis. The aim of this bibliographical essay is to set the articles published in the present volume of that meeting’s Proceedings in the context of earlier research relevant to this subject, and at the same time to offer a broad picture of the extent and nature of Clement’s use of biblical texts. The essay begins by considering three studies that present a general overview: the classic book of Claude Mondesert published in 1944, J. Carleton Paget’s survey of Clement’s exegesis of the Old Testament, and Ulrich Schneider’s exploration of the importance of the Bible for Clement’s theology. The rest of the essay focuses on the following specific topics: Clement’s canon of Scripture and the extent of his biblical references, his views on the nature of Scripture, different forms of citation and commentary evident in his works, the idea of multiple scriptural senses, how Clement’s interpretive practice compares with that other ancient exegetes, the purpose served by his allegorical exegesis, and how he interprets specific passages from the Old and New Testaments.