7 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at costPaperback · 6 × 9 in · 306 pagesHardcover · 6 × 9 in · 306 pagesAbout this book
What if your search for answers about death leads to a journey through fierce debates over truth?
In The Clementine Homilies, Clement is a young man from Rome troubled by questions about death and the soul. He meets the apostle Peter and travels with him along the eastern Mediterranean. His search for truth unfolds beside the story of his scattered family, giving the long discussions a deeply personal thread.
This anonymous early Christian work, traditionally attributed to Clement of Rome, combines adventure with twenty sections of teaching. In its public debates, Peter confronts Simon Magus, a magician who claims divine power. Their arguments explore evil, human freedom, prophecy, and the relationship between Jewish law and the teachings of Jesus.
What you’ll discover
- Clement’s restless search Follow a young man whose questions about death and the soul lead him far from Rome.
- On the road with Peter Travel from city to city as the narrative brings teaching and argument into the open.
- The clash with Simon Enter public disputes where claims of divine power meet Peter’s challenges over truth and human freedom.
- The True Prophet Explore the text’s teaching that one divine teacher appears across different ages.
- Faith, reason, and freedom Consider arguments about suffering and destiny within a distinctive strand of Jewish Christian thought.
Who will love it
Readers who enjoy early Christian history, sharp debates between rival teachers, and ancient travel stories of lost families, rivalry and daring.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- A Roman haunted by death seeks proof
- Truth comes only through the true Prophet
- Simon Magus is a gifted and dangerous rival
- Scripture holds both true and false sayings
- Peter debates Simon before the crowds
- Greek myths fail under Clement's questions
- Demons gain power only through shared tables
- Purity, kindness to enemies, and baptism
- Faith calls for freely chosen good deeds
Who’s who
- ClementA young Roman of noble birth, tormented by questions about death, who becomes Peter's companion and tells the story.
- PeterThe apostle and teacher who travels from city to city, debates Simon and instructs Clement in the doctrine of the true Prophet.
- Simon MagusA Samaritan sorcerer who claims to be a power above the Creator and works wonders to win crowds.
- AppionA learned grammarian from Alexandria, an old friend of Clement's father, who defends Greek myths and sides with Simon.
- Nicetas and AquilaTwo brothers who once served alongside Simon, turned against him, and now help Peter and Clement.
- ZacchaeusA trusted follower of Peter in Caesarea who carries news of Simon's plans and leads that church.
- BarnabasA disciple from Judea who preaches in Alexandria and first brings Clement to Peter.
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- Large print hardcover
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The Clementine Homilies
by Attributed to Clement of Rome · 350
A Roman seeker follows the apostle Peter from city to city to unmask the sorcerer Simon Magus.
Challenging10–20 hours to read25 languages
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In short
What would you do if a haunting fear of death drove you from Rome to Judea in search of proof? That is Clement's story in the Clementine Homilies, an anonymous early Christian work from the third or fourth century that draws on older traditions.
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
A Roman haunted by death seeks proof
The story begins with Clement, a young Roman of good family, who cannot stop brooding about death. Will he simply vanish and be forgotten? Was the world made, and will it end? These questions leave him pale and thin.
He visits the philosophers and finds only clashing arguments, where the better speaker seems to win whatever the truth may be. In despair he plans a trip to Egypt to pay a magician to call up a soul, so that he can see it with his own eyes. A friend warns him that this would anger the Deity. Clement grows more reluctant, but still intends to go ahead.
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What is the Clementine Homilies about?
It is an ancient Christian romance told by Clement, a Roman who joins the apostle Peter. It follows their travels, Peter's debates with Simon Magus, teaching on God and the true Prophet, and the story of Clement's lost family.
Who is Simon Magus in the Clementine Homilies?
Simon Magus is a Samaritan sorcerer who claims divine power and travels with Helena. He is Peter's chief rival, shown as clever and gifted. Acts mentions a Simon of Samaria, but here he becomes the main opponent.
When was the Clementine Homilies written and by whom?
It is anonymous and comes from the third or fourth century. Scholars think it rests on an older lost source also behind the related Recognitions.
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