Clement wrote this in the height of the Gnostic movement--a time when thinking above and beyond was the best (and only) route to achieve knowledge. Yet while this is going on, he constantly argues that the best way to achieve knowledge and holiness is through going back to the basics of the Gospel. He implores the readers to focus on what really matters and get past the petty disagreements that come from becoming complacent and passive. The church was forgetting what mattered and was losing sight of telling people about Christ and pursuing sanctification. Even though this was written thousands of years ago, it echoes much of the problems in the church today. Especially in light of the election season. We are so caught up in the logistics and semantics that we have lost sight of what really matters--telling people about Christ and pursuing sanctification.
I commented on Darby and Abigail's posts.
I like your comments on this. It is easy to get so caught up that, like you said, we forget to go back to the basics of the Gospel. I am pretty sure this was mentioned in class Thursday as well.
ReplyDeleteMany topics that most people attribute to "light theological conversation" today are some of the main reasons we see this division. If the central story of the Word is studied and discussed as much as these things, the Church would see a healthy increase in unity.
ReplyDeleteThe small issues that divide us are so small in comparison to the gospel that unites us. It is very important to constantly point back to the hope we all share in Christ.
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