Reincarnation in Clement of Alexandria : Salvific cycles and steps of progress / by Sami Yli-Karjanmaa.

Author/creator Yli-Karjanmaa, Sami author.
Format Book
PublicationLeiden, The Netherlands ; Boston, Massachusetts : Brill, 2025
Copyright Date©2025
Descriptionx, 417 pages ; 24 cm
Subjects

SeriesVigiliae Christianae supplements : texts and studies of early Christian life and language, 0920-623X ;
Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae ; volume 189. ^A691199
Contents Preface -- Abbreviations -- Introduction: The issue ; The objectives, research questions and hypotheses ; Definitions ; The method and approach in this study ; Clement's Esotericism ; Clement as a critic of others ; A father's fate: The reception of and research on Clement ; Reincarnation in Greek, Jewish and Christian thought ; The structure of this book -- Clement's Statements about the Afterlife: The direct references to Reincarnation ; Other possible references to Reincarnation or Pre-existence ; Potential denials of Reincarnation or Pre-existence ; Summary -- Clement's Anthropology, Ethics and Soteriology: Soul and Body ; The orientation of the Soul ; Salvation and its alternative ; Resurrection: Meanings and implications ; The roles of Jesus in Clement's thought ; Summary -- Clement's Reception of the Philonic Reincarnation Scheme: Introduction ; Animal reincarnation ; Clement's awareness of Philo's endorsement of Reincarnation ; Clement and Philo's clearest references to Reincarnation ; Clement's use of Philo's Reincarnation language ; The connection between Exegesis and Reincarnation ; Conclusions -- Conclusions: Endorsement: The most plausible explanation ; The journey of the Soul in Clement's thought ; Clement's Reincarnation discourse: Concealment and Revelation ; Further research ; Final remarks -- Bibliography: Ancient Sources ; Lexica and Grammars ; Secondary literature -- Index of Ancient texts ; Index of Modern Names ; Index of Subjects.
Abstract "International scholarly consensus holds that despite his obvious Platonic sympathies, Clement of Alexandria (ca. 150-215 CE) rejected the doctrine of reincarnation. This study finds that this consensus does not do justice to what Clement actually writes. In his most explicit statement, Clement singles out reincarnation as the example he wants to give of the finest doctrines of the best philosophers. Though most of Clement's other writing is more subtle than that, endorsement is still the most plausible explanation of what he says. The tenet - clearly esoteric for Clement - is in harmony with his anthropology, ethics, and his synergistic soteriology that includes the crucial role of Jesus."--from the back cover.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references and index.
LanguageIn English.
Issued in other formOnline version http://id.loc.gov/entities/relationships/onlineversion Yli-Karjanmaa, Sami Reincarnation in Clement of Alexandria Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2025] 9789004734180
LCCN 2025014278
ISBN9789004726598
ISBN9004726594
ISBNebook

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