SOURCE: “Another Look at the Literary Problem in Clement of Alexandria's Major Writings,” in Church History, Vol. XXXVII, No. 3, September, 1986, pp. 251-60.

In the following essay, Wagner surveys the history of the theses concerning the controversial relationship between Clement's three major works.

The relationship among Clement of Alexandria's three major works, Protreptikos, Paidagōgos and Stromateis, has vexed scholars for almost a century. Present state of the question reflects the condition of Clement studies as a whole: a welter of promising insights, ingenious theories, many contradictions and frustrating confusion. Recent attempts to approach the Alexandrine through historical-exegetical procedures have reopened Clement studies and have suggested that re-examination and re-evaluation of his theology are in order.¹

The literary question is important to an understanding of Clement's thought, for the relationship of the three works may furnish insight into the structure of his theology. The variety of theories about the...