Exhortation to the Heathen

Clement of Alexandria

Summary

Written c. 190–195 AD by [[Clement of Alexandria]], the Exhortation to the Heathen (Protrepticus) is a foundational early Christian apologetic that calls the Greco-Roman world to abandon pagan idolatry and embrace the Logos, establishing an early patristic framework for Christian Hellenism, divine illumination, and theosis.

Note for the Reader!

Clements original audience would have been deeply familiar with Greek poetry, classical myth, and philosophical schools. Clement uses the Greeks’ own literature to expose the absurdities of pagan idolatry - thus this text is packed with classical figures, mystery cult terminology, and theological concepts that can be obscure to modern readers. (You can mouse over complex terms to learn more about them!)

Historical Context

Composed in the intellectual crucible of Alexandria during the late second century, Clement wrote for educated pagan Greeks (Hellenes). As leader of the Catechetical School of Alexandria, Clement penned this work as the first installment of his theological trilogy—followed by the [[father:Clement of Alexandria|The Paedagogus (The Instructor) — Book I]] (The Tutor) and [[father:Clement of Alexandria|The Stromata — Book I]] (Miscellanies)—seeking to persuade a society steeped in classical mythology and mystery cults that true beauty, philosophy, and eternal life are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Theological Significance

  • The Logos as the New Song (Oda Nea): Clement contrasts the mythical bards of antiquity (such as Orpheus and Amphion) with Christ, the eternal Logos, who descends to sing a “New Song” (Oda Nea) to creation. In Orthodox theology, this presents Christ not merely as a moral teacher, but as the cosmic Harmonizer who tunes the instrument of human nature and the universe, taming wild human passions and driving out demonic darkness through divine harmony.

  • The Incarnation as the Root of Deification (Theosis): Clement provides one of the earliest and most explicit patristic formulations of deification: “The Word of God became man, that thou mayest learn from man how man may become God.” [[father:Clement of Alexandria|Exhortation to the Heathen]] Orthodox soteriology relies on this principle to demonstrate that salvation is an ontological transformation—Christ assumes human nature so that humanity, through grace and participation in the Divine Energies, can share in the divine life.

  • Critique of Idolatry and Praeparatio Evangelica: Clement offers a scathing critique of pagan mystery cults, temple prostitution, and idol worship, reducing them to the veneration of dead matter and demonic deception. However, he simultaneously affirms that Greek philosophy contained glimmers of truth (logos spermatikos). This established the Orthodox approach to culture: discerning and redeeming noble human philosophy as a “preparation for the Gospel” (praeparatio evangelica) while firmly rejecting pagan theology.

  • Conversion as Cosmic Illumination (Photismos): Turning to Christ is framed not merely as accepting a set of intellectual propositions, but as a passage from blindness to divine light. Christ is presented as the Divine Educator who purifies human perception, delivering man from the worship of created nature (ktisis) and initiating him into true, experiential knowledge (gnosis) of the Uncreated Creator.Summary Written c. 190–195 AD by St. Clement of Alexandria, the Exhortation to the Heathen (Protrepticus) is a foundational early Christian apologetic that calls the Greco-Roman world to abandon pagan idolatry and embrace the Logos, establishing an early patristic framework for Christian Hellenism, divine illumination, and theosis.

  1. 0. Greeting
  2. 1. Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the Adoration of the Divine Word and God the Father.
  3. 2. The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables About the Birth and Death of Their Gods.
  4. 3. The Cruelty of the Sacrifices to the Gods.
  5. 4. The Absurdity and Shamefulness of the Images by Which the Gods are Worshipped.
  6. 5. The Opinions of the Philosophers Respecting God.
  7. 6. By Divine Inspiration Philosophers Sometimes Hit on the Truth.
  8. 7. The Poets Also Bear Testimony to the Truth.
  9. 8. The True Doctrine is to Be Sought in the Prophets.
  10. 9. That Those Grievously Sin Who Despise or Neglect God's Gracious Calling.
  11. 10. Answer to the Objection of the Heathen, that It Was Not Right to Abandon the Customs of Their Fathers.
  12. 11. How Great are the Benefits Conferred on Man Through the Advent of Christ.
  13. 12. Exhortation to Abandon Their Old Errors and Listen to the Instructions of Christ.

BY [[Clement of Alexandria]]