Clement Of Alexandria Vs Tertullian

Although Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian were contemporaries and leaders in Christian philosophy, the two held markedly different opinions on the pagan philosophies that came before Christ and his teachings. Plainly speaking, Clement allowed and even praised pagan teachings in some cases while Tertullian firmly opposed them. However, both men have intricacies in their arguments, which do not make this situation a simple dichotomy between the two ideologies.

Both Clement and Tertullian always held that the teachings of Christ were the ultimate, or true form, of knowledge, and that piety was based on one’s adherence to these and their faith in God. What distinguishes the two men are their ideas of what faith truly is and how one actually shows his faithfulness. On one side, Tertullian was a strong believer in Fideism, which asserted that religion and belief in

He believed that pagan philosophy had served a just role before Christ, and could still be used to ease others into the Christian faith. Clement reasoned that this viewpoint would incline more people to become Christians and expand the Church. Eventually, these new followers would recognize that real faith is following the teachings of Christ (Encyclopedia Britannica). This in turn would bring them to the level of piety that Tertullian seeks, but by a different path: gradual assimilation into the faith, rather than Fideism.

Despite his high opinion of pagan philosophy, Clement does not discredit Tertullian’s Fideism. He specifically says that philosophy is for those who “arrive at faith by way of demonstration,” and that those who believe in God by their own accord are very lucky to have such faith (Baird 36). Those who need this “demonstration” are, in Clement’s eyes, very close to being Christians and should be helped using terms and ideas familiar to them, and shown a logical progression to believing in God and being faithful to