DCHindley

Is it my imagination, or has no one compared the "Letter of Peter to James" (actually the text of this letter is followed by a narrative about how James responded to it) that prefaces the Clementine Homilies to the Letter of Theodore?

From the letters of the most holy Clement, the author of the Stromateis. To Theodore.	Epistle Of Peter To James	Epistle Of Peter To James
You did well in silencing the unspeakable teachings of the Carpocratians.
For these are the "wandering stars" referred to in the prophecy, who wander from the narrow road of the commandments into a boundless abyss of the carnal and bodily sins. For, priding themselves in knowledge, as they say, "of the deep things of Satan," they do not know that they are casting themselves away into "the nether world of the darkness" of falsity, and, boasting that they are free, they have become slaves of servile desires.
Such men are to be opposed in all ways and altogether. For, even if they should say something true, one who loves the truth should not, even so, agree with them. For not all true things are the truth, nor should that truth which merely seems true according to human opinions be preferred to the true truth, that according to the faith.
Now of the things they keep saying about the divinely inspired Gospel according to Mark, some are altogether falsifications, and others, even if they do contain some true elements, nevertheless are not reported truly. For the true things being mixed with inventions, are falsified, so that, as the saying goes, even the salt loses its savor.
As for Mark, then, during Peter's stay in Rome he wrote an account of the Lord's doings, not, however, declaring all of them, nor yet hinting at the secret ones, but selecting what he thought most useful for increasing the faith of those who were being instructed. But when Peter died a martyr, Mark came over to Alexandria, bringing both his own notes and those of Peter, from which he transferred to his former book the things suitable to whatever makes for progress toward knowledge.
Thus he composed a more spiritual Gospel for the use of those who were being perfected. Nevertheless, he yet did not divulge the things not to be uttered, nor did he write down the hierophantic teaching of the Lord, but to the stories already written he added yet others and, moreover, brought in certain sayings of which he knew the interpretation would, as a mystagogue, lead the hearers into the innermost sanctuary of that truth hidden by seven veils.	[Clement Alex. Stromata 5.11, ANF vol. II p. 459] Similarly David sings: … "Day utters speech to day" (what is clearly written), "and night to night proclaims knowledge" (which is hidden in a mystic veil) [Ps 19:2-3]	[Clem. Alex. Stromata 6.15, ANF vol II p. 510] But prophecy does not employ figurative forms in the expressions for the sake of beauty of diction. But from the fact that truth appertains not to all, it is veiled in manifold ways, causing the light to arise only on those who are initiated into knowledge, who seek the truth through love.
Thus, in sum, he prepared matters, neither grudgingly nor incautiously, in my opinion, and, dying, he left his composition to the church in Alexandria, where it even yet is most carefully guarded, being read only to those who are being initiated into the great mysteries.	Wherefore it is better that they should be with us, and that we should communicate them with all the fore-mentioned care to those who wish to live piously, and to save others.	But if it befall me to be sick, and in expectation of death … I shall deposit them with my bishop, having the same faith, and setting out from the same persons as myself.
But since the foul demons are always devising destruction for the race of men, Carpocrates, instructed by them and using deceitful arts, so enslaved a certain presbyter of the church in Alexandria that he got from him a copy of the secret Gospel, which he both interpreted according to his blasphemous and carnal doctrine and, moreover, polluted, mixing with the spotless and holy words utterly shameless lies.	But these men, professing, I know not how, to know my mind, undertake to explain my words, which they have heard of me, more intelligently than I who spoke them, telling their catechumens that this is my meaning, which indeed I never thought of. But if, while I am still alive, they dare thus to misrepresent me, how much more will those who shall come after me dare to do so!	Therefore James, perceiving that they were greatly afraid, said: "Hear me, brethren and fellow-servants. If we should give the books to all indiscriminately, and they should be corrupted by any daring men, or be perverted by interpretations, as you have heard that some have already done, it will remain even for those who really seek the truth, always to wander in error.
From this mixture is drawn off the teaching of the Carpocratians. To them, therefore, as I said above, one must never give way; nor, when they put forward their falsifications, should one concede that the secret Gospel is by Mark, but should even deny it on oath.
For, "Not all true things are to be said to all men." For this reason the Wisdom of God, through Solomon, advises, "Answer the fool from his folly," teaching that the light of the truth should be hidden from those who are mentally blind. Again it says, "From him who has not shall be taken away," and, "Let the fool walk in darkness."	But if any one, after taking this adjuration, shall act otherwise, he shall with good reason incur eternal punishment. For why should not he who is the cause of the destruction of others not be destroyed himself?"
But we are "children of light," having been illuminated by "the dayspring" of the spirit of the Lord "from on high," and "Where the Spirit of the Lord is," it says, "there is liberty," for "All things are pure to the pure." To you, therefore, I shall not hesitate to answer the questions you have asked, refuting the falsifications by the very words of the Gospel.	I have prayed and besought you not to communicate the books of my preaching which I have sent you to any one, whether of our own nation or of another nation, before trial; but if any one, having been tested, has been found worthy, then to hand them over to him, according to the initiation of Moses, by which he delivered his books to the Seventy who succeeded to his chair
For example, after ,"And they were in the road going up to Jerusalem," and what follows, until "After three days he shall arise," the secret Gospel brings the following material word for word: "And they come into Bethany. And a certain woman whose brother had died was there. And, coming, she prostrated herself before Jesus and says to him, 'Son of David, have mercy on me.' But the disciples rebuked her. And Jesus, being angered, went off with her into the garden where the tomb was, and straightway a great cry was heard from the tomb. And going near Jesus rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb. And straightway, going in where the youth was, he stretched forth his hand and raised him, seizing his hand. But the youth, looking upon him, loved him and began to beseech him that he might be with him. And going out of the tomb they came into the house of the youth, for he was rich.
And after six days [i.e., after a week of ritual purification] Jesus told him what to do and in the evening the youth comes to him, wearing a linen cloth over his naked body. And he remained with him that night, for Jesus taught him the mystery of the kingdom of God.	In order, therefore, that the like may also happen to those among us as to these Seventy [who carefully preserved the books of the Law given by Moses], give the books of my preachings to our brethren, with the like mystery of initiation,	And then according to the initiation of Moses, he that is to deliver the books should bring him to a river or a fountain, which is living water, where the regeneration of the righteous takes place, and should make him, not swear--for that is not lawful--but to stand by the water and adjure, as we ourselves, when we were re-generated, were made to do for the sake of not sinning.
And thence, arising, he returned to the other side of the Jordan."
After these words follows the text, "And James and John come to him," and all that section. But "naked man with naked man," and the other things about which you wrote, are not found. And after the words, "And he comes into Jericho," the secret Gospel adds only, "And the sister of the youth whom Jesus loved and his mother and Salome were there, and Jesus did not receive them." But the many other things about which you wrote both seem to be and are falsifications.
Now the true explanation and that which accords with the true philosophy ... [Here the text abruptly stops in the middle of the page]	The full title of the Stromata [of Clement of Alexandria], according to Eusebius [Hist. Eccl. VI.xiii.1] and Photius, was TITOU FLAUIOU KLHMENTOS TWN KATA THN ALHQH FILOSOFIAN GNWSTIKWN UPOMNHMATWN STRWMATEIS --"Titus Flavius Clement's miscellaneous collections of speculative (gnostic) notes bearing upon the true philosophy." [ANF vol II, p. 168]

Without conflating Clement, the title character in the Clementine Recognitions/Homilies (probably based on a legend that Flavius Clemens, a member of the Domitian's Imperial family in Rome, may have been a Jew and/or Christian) with Clement of Alexandria, there is a connection between both through Peter's preaching.

In the Letter of Peter to James which prefaces the Clementine Homilies (these are actually Peter's lessons to Clement as he tags along when Peter debates Simon Magus), "Peter" says he has collected his preachings into books, without mentioning Mark, and sets very strict rules regarding who may learn them. The transmission of these books is contingent upon an initiation involving living (running) water and thus seems to be a rite similar to baptism. In the Clementine Homilies, what Peter imparts to Clement are rules for "rightly dividing" scripture so as to ferret out falsehoods that have crept into the tradition handed down by Moses, and presumably this has something to do with Peter's "preaching".

In the Letter of Clement of Alexandria to Theodore, Peter's esoteric teaching, upon his death, is left with Mark, who then adds it to his original account of Jesus' life (canonical Gospel of Mark) to create a more spiritual version that is only to be revealed to those in their church who are being taught the greater mysteries. I wonder whether the "secret of the kingdom of God" that Jesus is said to teach the young man, and which he approaches as if he is to be baptized, is not this kind of initiation spoken of by "Peter" in the letter to James. After all, it is not said exectly where this initiation took place, only that Jesus told him "what to do."

Now this kind of correlation can be interpreted as either the bald swindler's clever manipulation of clues that lay about in plain sight like those in 1960's Batman TV episodes with the Riddler, or as different manifestations of a common tradition where esoteric teachings from or about Jesus are transmitted on Peter's authority (in the Letter to James it is from Peter himself whereas in the Letter to Theodore it is via Mark the evangelist) which M Smith stumbled upon without making the connection to the Letter of Peter to James.

DCH

The entire text of the Letter of Clement of Alexandria to Theodore (including the Secret mark) is in the table above. Only bits and pieces of the Letter of Peter to James are in that table. I'll place the entire text of the Letter of Peter to James in a separate post. Edit - It looks like "Zonker" beat me to it. What's he smoken?!?!

DCHindley

Mr Hindley,

Will you ever cease posting such "has to be wrong" crap? It is obvious to all straight thinking folks that there were no esoteric teachings transmitted either by Peter or by Mark, although Mark sure did pass on good ol' gospel truth about Jesus Christ, God's Son and Savior, as conveyed by Peter, an eye witness to the Savior's wonderous teachings and vicarious death on the cross for the sins of mankind. Duh!

Since you are trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the faithful, I have located the entire Letter of Peter to James on CCEL's website and post it here to expose it's heretical nature and the folly it entails. Oh, Mr Hindley, how have the mighty fallen, having sunk to the level of Mr Huller's speculative posts! At least he occasionally uses a cute little baby face for an avatar, not some weird icon from some fresco on a Church whose name no one can pronounce. Shame! Know this, O man, that Mr Carlson and Mr Criddle will surely vindicate the truth and shame your evil attempt at perpetrating Mr Smith's lies and disinformation. I wonder whether his name is really Smith at all.

You know what I think? I think "Smith" was really a sleeper agent for the commies, infiltrating the Orthodox monasteries of Greece, Turkey and Palestine with the aim of destroying the Christian faith through the very same homosexual innuendo you laughed about a few days back.

Good day, sir!

His Lordship the Viscount St. Austell-in-the-Moor Biggleswade-Brixham (Edgar Harris)

EPISTLE OF PETER TO JAMES

PETER to James, the lord and bishop of the holy Church, under the Father of all, through Jesus Christ, wishes peace always.

CHAP. I.--DOCTRINE OF RESERVE.

Knowing, my brother, your eager desire after that which is for the advantage of us all, I beg and beseech you

not to communicate to any one of the Gentiles the books of my preachings which I sent to you,

nor to any one of our own tribe

before trial;

but if any one has been proved and found worthy,

then to commit them to him, after the manner in which Moses delivered his books [i.e., the five books of the Law] to the Seventy who succeeded to his chair.

Wherefore also the fruit of that caution appears even till now. For his countrymen keep the same rule of monarchy and polity everywhere, being unable in any way to think otherwise, or to be led out of the way of the much-indicating Scriptures.

For, according to the rule delivered to them, they [the Seventy elders] endeavour to correct the discordances of the Scriptures, if any one, haply not knowing the traditions, is confounded at the various utterances of the prophets.

Wherefore they charge no one to teach, unless he has first learned how the Scriptures must be used.

And thus they have amongst them one God, one law, one hope.

CHAP. II.--MISREPRESENTATION OF PETER'S DOCTRINE.

In order, therefore, that the like may also happen to those among us as to these Seventy [who carefully received the books of the Law given by Moses],

give the books of my preachings to our brethren, with the like mystery of initiation,

that they may indoctrinate those who wish to take part in teaching;

for if it be not so done, our word of truth will be rent into many opinions.

And this I know, not as being a prophet, but as already seeing the beginning of this very evil.

For some from among the Gentiles have rejected my legal preaching, attaching themselves to certain lawless and trifling preaching of the man who is my enemy.

And these things some have attempted while I am still alive,

to transform my words by certain various interpretations,

in order to the dissolution of the law;

as though I also myself were of such a mind, but did not freely proclaim it,

which God forbid!

For such a thing were to act in opposition to the law of God which was spoken by Moses,

and was borne witness to by our Lord in respect of its eternal continuance; for thus he spoke: "The heavens and the earth shall pass away, but one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law."(loose quotation of Matt 5:18; cf Matt 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 22:33) And this He has said, that all things might come to pass.

But these men, professing, I know not how, to know my mind, undertake to explain my words, which they have heard of me, more intelligently than I who spoke them,

telling their catechumens that this is my meaning, which indeed I never thought of.

But if, while I am still alive, they dare thus to misrepresent me, how much more will those who shall come after me dare to do so!

CHAP. III.--INITIATION.

Therefore, that no such thing may happen, for this end I have prayed and besought you

not to communicate the books of my preaching which I have sent you to any one, whether of our own nation or of another nation, before trial;

but if any one, having been tested, has been found worthy,

then to hand them over to him, according to the initiation of Moses, by which he delivered his books to the Seventy who succeeded to his chair;

in order that thus they may keep the faith, and everywhere deliver the rule of truth, explaining all things after our tradition;

lest being themselves dragged down by ignorance, being drawn into error by conjectures after their mind, they bring others into the like pit of destruction.

Now the things that seemed good to me, I have fairly pointed out to you;

and what seems good to you, do you, my lord, becomingly perform. Farewell.

CHAP. IV.--AN ADJURATION CONCERNING THE RECEIVERS OF THE BOOK.

1. Therefore James, having read the epistle, sent for the elders; and having read it to them, said:

"Our Peter has strictly and becomingly charged us concerning the establishing of the truth, that

we should not communicate the books of his preachings, which have been sent to us, to any one at random,

but to one who is good and religious,
and who wishes to teach,
and who is circumcised,
and faithful.

And these are not all to be committed to him at once; that, if he be found injudicious in the first, the others may not be entrusted to him. Wherefore let him be proved not less than six years.

And then according to the initiation of Moses,

he that is to deliver the books should bring him to a river or a fountain, which is living water, where the regeneration of the righteous takes place,

and should make him, not swear--for that is not lawful--but to stand by the water and adjure,

as we ourselves, when we were re-generated, [this resembles the baptismal forms Hippolytus associates with the Elkesaites] were made to do for the sake of not sinning.

2. And let him say:

'I take to witness heaven, earth, water, in which all things are comprehended, and in addition to all these, that, air also which pervades all things, and without which I cannot breathe,

that I shall always be obedient to him who gives me the books of the preachings;

and those same books which he may give me, I shall not communicate to any one in any way,

either by writing them,
or giving them in writing,
or giving them to a writer, either myself or by another,
or through any other initiation,
or trick,
or method,
or by keeping them carelessly,
or placing them before any one,
or granting him permission to see them,
or in any way or manner whatsoever communicating them to another;

unless I shall ascertain one to be worthy, as I myself have been judged, or even more so, and that after a probation of not less than six years;

but to one who is religious and good, chosen to teach, as I have received them, so I will commit them,

doing these things also according to the will of my bishop.'

3. 'But otherwise, though he were my son or my brother, or my friend, or otherwise in any way pertaining to me by kindred, if he be unworthy, that I will not vouchsafe the favour to him, as is not meet;

and I shall neither be terrified by plot nor mollified by gifts.

But if even it should ever seem to me that the books of the preachings given to me are not true, I shall not so communicate them, but shall give them back.

And when I go abroad, I shall carry them with me, whatever of them I happen to possess.

But if I be not minded to carry them about with me, I shall not suffer them to be in my house, but shall deposit them with my bishop, having the same faith, and setting out from the same persons as myself.(e.g., a bishop?, or a Christian practicing as he does?)

But if it befall me to be sick, and in expectation of death, and if I be childless, I shall act in the same manner.

But if I die having a son who is not worthy, or not yet capable, I shall act in the same manner.

For I shall deposit them with my bishop, in order that if my son, when he grows up, be worthy of the trust, he may give them to him as his father's bequest, according to the terms of this engagement.'

4. 'And that I shall thus do, I again call to witness heaven, earth, water, in which all things are enveloped, and in addition to all these, the all-pervading air, without which I cannot breathe,

that I shall always be obedient to him who giveth me these books of the preachings,

and shall observe in all things as I have engaged, or even something more.

To me, therefore, keeping this covenant, there shall be a part with the holy ones; but to me doing anything contrary to what I have covenanted, may the universe be hostile to me, and the all-pervading ether, and the God who is over all, to whom none is superior, than whom none is greater.

But if even I should come to the acknowledgment of another God, I now swear by him also, be he or be he not, that I shall not do otherwise.

And in addition to all these things, if I shall lie, I shall be accursed living and dying, and shall be punished with everlasting punishment.'

And after this, let him partake of bread and salt with him who commits them to him."

CHAP. V.--THE ADJURATION ACCEPTED.

James having thus spoken, the elders were in an agony of terror. Therefore James, perceiving that they were greatly afraid, said: "Hear me, brethren and fellow-servants.

If we should give the books to all indiscriminately,

and they should be corrupted by any daring men,

or be perverted by interpretations, as you have heard that some have already done,

it will remain even for those who really seek the truth, always to wander in error.

Wherefore it is better that they should be with us,

and that we should communicate them with all the fore-mentioned care to those who wish to live piously, and to save others.

But if any one, after taking this adjuration, shall act otherwise, he shall with good reason incur eternal punishment.

For why should not he who is the cause of the destruction of others not be destroyed himself?"

The elders, therefore, being pleased with the sentiments of James exclaimed,

"Blessed be He who, as foreseeing all things, has graciously appointed thee as our bishop;"

and when they had said this, we all rose up, and prayed to the Father and God of all, to whom be glory for ever. Amen. [ANF vol. VIII, pp. 215-217]

stephan huller

At least you are smart enough to know how to use a table like this. My avatar is actually an Alawite symbol (FYI). I find this very interesting but I will have to view it tomorrow evening. Late night!

DCHindley

Two weeks of college, sir. Cain't fool an edycated man*. And yes, it took all day the compile the table in Word and get it to display correctly in the post. Tip: The [table][/table] tags don't like more than one paragraph marker per cell. However, once I get it right, it is simple to copy and paste the table directly between the tags and voila, a FRDB table.

Hence the word "occasionally." (I change mine periodically, now that I figured out how to do it). FYI, mine is "allared".

I was hoping so. Please don't take my good natured ribbing personally, and don't be afraid to dish back, as long as we treat the subject itself seriously. The comedian Dana Carvey explains that comedy exaggerates absolutely normal characteristics to the point of absurdity. If there's one thing that FRDB posts need is a little good natured comic relief, not the usual sarcastic put downs as if the poster's interpretation is so obvious that any idiot can see the truth clear as glass. But in a way, they are correct, any idiot can see the truth clear as glass.

Natch!

DCH

*Oh OK, I earned a BA in Psychology, if anyone cares.

andrewcriddle

The Catholic Encyclopedia , (maybe a dubious obscurantist source), comments on the letters associated with the pseudo-Clementine literature: Andrew Criddle

DCHindley

There is no question that the Letter of Peter to James is an ancient pseudograph, as are the Clementine Homilies to which it is attached. The Letter of Clement to Theodore may also be a pseudograph, although it is arguable whether it is ancient or modern.

My intent is not just to suggest that the two letters might represent divergent fictional versions of a stream of Peter tradition, one via James which bypasses any Pauline influence (e.g., "my enemy") and the other via Mark, who was believed to be the early companion of Paul who only later became Peter's interpreter.

It is to also suggest that if Morton Smith modeled a fake, it wasn't based on some cheesy pulp fiction novel full of cliche caricatures of Ali-Babba Arabs and evil Nazis who are intent on destroying Christianity through those hopelessly misled higher critics, but from the Letter of Peter to James, available to anyone through a reprint of the ANF series published about 80 yrs earlier.

If so, it is amazing that nobody picked up on it, but it could also help explain why Smith, if he had really faked it himself, never revealed that fact: he had hoped to get a scholarly nit-picking debate going on about the fragments based on philology, and fully expected some commoner to point out the connection so he could expose the hoax and embarrass the community. The nit-picking debate on the text itself never materialized like he hoped, and no snot-nosed commoner ever picked up on it either. The higher critics weren't quite as dumb as he expected, and the snot-nosed commoners weren't as smart as he had hoped either. It was simply better to let a sleeping dog lie. Sad commentary.

DCH
(written about 7:15am, but sent on morning break, Guv'na)

PhilosopherJay

Hi DCHindley,

Interesting stuff, but besides putting these texts physically next to each other, I don't see much of a direct connection between them. They both imply secret teaching, but every Christian group seems to have believed in secret teachings of Jesus at the time of Clement of Alexandria, the beginning of the Third century.

In the gospels, we get Jesus expressing a lot of admonishments to be nice like a good son and daddy God will reward you These sayings are mixed with furious denunciations that the Jewish leadership has betrayed God, the Law and the people and they will be punished by God. This was simply a rhetorical line that any Essene kid would have known well by the age of 12.

The average Greco-Roman God-fearer would be expecting something much closer to the mystery religions that they were familiar with: a cleansing ritual (baptism), an eating ritual (eucharist) and a cosmogony (the holy trinity). It was here that the real battles between Christian sects took place. The contradictory rhetorical line (Be a good Roman citizen, hate the Jews, but adopt the Jewish God.) was already pretty well set - it was the secret mystery elements to be associated with the new religion that the Third century Christians fought over.

Therefore discussions of the secret teachings or mystery elements of Christianity is exactly what we find in all the texts from the beginning of the Third Century. Each one claimed to know the true secret teachings or practices of Jesus.

Warmly,

Philosopher Jay

DCHindley

An interesting fact, then, is that the Letter of Peter to James praises the text critical abilities of the mythical seventy elders who preserve the books of Moses (the Law) uncorrupted through the ages. Yet the Homilies to which the Letter of Peter to James is attached have Peter arguing that the scriptures have in fact been corrupted by interpretations and the True Prophet (Jesus) taught Peter how to rightly divide it.

It calls into question the position of the Catholic Encyclopedia, as I doubt a letter written with the intent to excuse the late appearance of the Homilies would praise the integrity of the Law while the preaching of Peter in the Homilies is says exactly the opposite, that the Law is corrupted.

So it seems to me that the Letter to James and the Homilies are a mismatch, two independent works brought together at a later time to serve the purpose the CE suggests. If there ever was a "Preaching of Peter" that the Letter of Peter to James was prefaced to, it isn't contained in the Homilies or Recognitions.

It may be no coincidence that the Letter to Theodore, like the Homilies, also deals with corruption of "scripture" (in this case the Secret Gospel of Mark) by means of interpretations. The author of the short introduction to the Letter to Theodore may then be mistaken about which "Clement" wrote it (it may have originally been Anonymous, or Clement the companion of Paul, or Clement of Rome), perhaps by the similarity of style and vocabulary between it and works of Clement of Alexandria. Clement of Alexandria, however, wasn't the only early Christian writer to call Christian teaching a "philosophy" (for example Mileto of Sardis, late 2nd century) or speak of corruptions of written works and scriptures by dubious interpretation (e.g., Dionysius bishop of Corinth, mid 2nd century).

The Letter to Theodore may then have once been a cover letter for an apocryphal gospel (likely the "Secret Mark" now otherwise lost, like it appears any "Preaching of Peter" was) circulating in the late 2nd or early 3rd century Alexandria, written with the intent to explain why the Secret Gospel never saw the light until then, much the same function as the Letter of Peter to James was put to in the case of the Homilies.

Or ... The Letter of Theodore is modeled on both the Letter to James and the Homilies to serve the nefarious purposes of ... none other than the bald swindler! These correlations can be interpreted various ways.

DCH (now lunch time Guv'na, me street tis flooded and I cain't leave me house)

andrewcriddle

The Clementine Homilies and Recognitions have a bewilderingly complex history, and the Letter to James is in all probability earlier than and/or independent of much of the material now found in these works.

However the idea of the seventy elders who preserved the books of Moses is found in the Homilies in the same passages as deal with the alleged corruptions of the Law.

Clementine Homily 2 Clementine Homily 3 It is widely held by scholars that these early homilies are heavily based on the Preachings of Peter referred to in the Letter of Peter to James. Apparently the author of the Preachings did not see any contradiction between the preservation of the books of Moses by the seventy elders and their interpolation by false prophecies.

Andrew Criddle

mountainman

Hi DCH,

Nice tabulated analyses. The OR logic gate is a useful tool. Dont forget the link between Clement and the role and purposes (both "early" and "late") of the Shepherd of Hermas. But your reference to "the bald swindler" raises questions of identity and chronology. Are these questions entertained with provisional anywhere?

Best wishes,


Pete