Clement of Alexandria devoted himself to music in various contexts where three levels can be distinguished. On the level of theory, Clement denies the scientific character of music and calls it [stochastike techne], although he recognizes music's propaedeutic use for Christians, provided they use it responsibly and to practice the dialectical distinction between the human and the Divine. On the theological and philosophical level, Clement uses established musical metaphors and allegories to clarify distinctions within the Trinity and to describe the Christian's relationship to God as one of availment and instrumentalisation. On the level of musical performance, Clement proposes the concrete allegorical deconstruction of pagan festival music on the one hand, while on the other advising Christians to celebrate life as an eternal fest, wherein the singing of hymns remains an important component. The fundamental conception expresses itself at every level that the Logos plays people like musical instruments to lead them to divine insight or to apathy towards intellectual temptations and emotional zeal.

Enthalten in:
Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche; 2018/1 (2018)

---

Serie / Reihe: Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche

Personen: Bahl, Patrick

Schlagwörter: Musik Theologie Trinitätslehre Wissenschaftstheorie Plato Clemens, Alexandrinus