Quotations From Philo in Clement of Alexandria's Protrepticus

Abstract

Philo's influence on the early Christian thinkers has been noted by many patristic scholars. From the second half of the second century onwards the Fathers of the Church have attempted to explain their Christian belief by means of instruments presented by Greek philosophy, of which they had made intensive study themselves. In this difficult enterprise they could follow the example of Philo, who, about two centuries ago, had tried to do the same with regard to his own belief. Clement lived in the same city as Philo and the access to the literary inheritance of the great Jewish author must have been quite easy to him. The following observations will show how Clement had Philo's writings, so to speak, on his desk, when he was writing his Protrepticus.