We are now up to Chapter 21 of Clement's Epistle to the Corinthians in our study. Last Thursday we looked at Clement's citation of Isaiah 53 and Psalm 51 (or 50 LXX) - passages with which we are very familiar! We noted that Clement's citation of these passages in their entirety shows clearly the continuity of our tradition - these passages have been important to Christians from the very beginning and are still key passages to us today! We concluded with Clement's understanding of creation as a harmonious whole in humble submission to its divine Creator, contrasting it with the story that the Darwinian "survival of the fittest" portrayal of nature that is prevalent today. We also talked a little bit about the Orthodox understanding of the atonement - a discussion which was a bit off-topic, since Clement's main point in citing Isaiah 53 was simply to exhort the Corinthians to follow our Saviour's example of humble obedience, even unto death, but which was appropriate, given the sacrificial language that is so central to Isaiah's prophecy and the Christian understanding of it.
So it looks like we will finally get to Clement's famous example of the phoenix this Thursday - a tidbit that is sure to generate some more interesting off-topic discussion! Looking forward to seeing you there!
Love in Christ,
Fr. Justin.
Monday, October 09, 2006
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