Clement to Corinth 1-12

There is argument as to whether Clement was a Pope, with authority over other churches, or just a leader of a particular church, asked to give an opinion on a issue at another.

He makes fluent use of Old and New Testaments, although the canon of scripture was not be established for a few hundred years.

There are interesting references to Paul and Peter, including a reference to Paul as having reached "the limits of the West" Since there is no reference to this in Acts, it may mean that Paul survived his first trial in Rome, and went on to visit Spain.

Clement's letter refers, apparently, to the expulsion of presbyters from the church at Corinth. It is unclear what the point was at issue. Clement takes the view that churchmembers should be loyal to their presbyters, even "approaching them on bended knee". Whatever view one takes of the extent of the authority vested in Clement, it does seem that the church is well on it way to having an authoritative clergy.

(We also looked at CS Lewis' poem "A Cliche Escapes From Its Cage" in reference to last week's item in the Washington Post about paganism.)