Justin Appel

Dear Friends,

Today is the feast of Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215 AD), a teacher and apologist, who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. We remember Clement for his academic impulse to synthesize the writings of the Greek philosophers with the Scriptures and with Christian theology. He also made the earliest reference to the celebration of Christ’s Nativity, probably on January 6.

Today, I would like to reproduce a short segment from Clement’s sermon on the Prodigal’s Son. This excerpt speaks to two issues, both of which has been significant in my own thinking as a Christian: sinning after baptism, and development into further Christlikeness. Clement seems to offer a very positive, bracing view of these questions, rousing us to devout action while shunning despair. Such firm and decisive language can only support the notion that adults need to actively pursue spiritual development. Perhaps we tend to think of ‘training’ or ‘catechesis’ as activities for children. On the other hand, Clement’s view – which is a traditional Christian take – is that the fundamental activity of every individual is to become like God, to act in accordance with the image of God stamped onto our person. We actually can become more like Christ, and this process takes all of our earthly lives – and probably more – to achieve.

Yours in Christ,
Justin

(The excerpt is the final and seventh part of the sermon.)

But whom Christ finds lost, after sin committed since baptism, those Novatus, enemy of God, resigns to destruction. Do not let us then reckon any fault if we repent; guarding against falling, let us, if we have fallen, retrace our steps. And while dreading to offend, let us, after offending, avoid despair, and be eager to be confirmed; and on sinking, let us haste to rise up again. Let us obey the Lord, who calls to us, 'Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and I will give you rest' (Mt. 11.28). Let us employ the gift of reason for actions of prudence. Let us learn now abstinence from what is wicked, that we may not be forced to learn in the future. Let us employ life as a training school for what is good; and let us be roused to the hatred of sin. Let us bear about a deep love for the Creator; let us cleave to Him with our whole heart; let us not wickedly waste the substance of reason, like the prodigal. Let us obtain the joy laid up, in which Paul exulting, exclaimed, 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?' (Rom. 8.35). To Him belongs glory and honor, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.