Please see below the call for papers for a thematic session at NAPS 2025, entitled ‘Scripture and the Arts in Clement of Alexandria.’

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Clement of Alexandria displayed an intense and often encyclopaedic interest in ‘the arts’, and his extant writings draw extensively on the fruit of human creativity. Clement often brings music, drama, poetry, sculpture and architecture into his vision of the Christian faith, weaving these unlikely elements into his complex (and often cryptic) theological expression and his exposition of the apostolic teachings. From theatrical descriptions of the divine, to musical presentations of the gathered church, to sculptural critiques of the surrounding culture, Clement’s artistic thoughts are often arrayed towards a greater end of harmonising human artistic expression with divine truths.

This workshop on the theme “Scripture and the Arts in Clement of Alexandria” invites participants to engage with any element of Clement’s interaction with ‘the Arts’, broadly defined as the varied fruits of human creativity. The organisers particularly invite papers which explore ways that Clement’s consideration of artistic expression engages scriptural texts, facilitates his investigation of theological principles, or reflects the relationship he sees between Christian theology and artistic expression. This workshop hopes to bring together a range of scholars and approaches that explore not merely ‘Clement of Alexandria and the Arts’ but also how Clement’s unique enthusiasm for the diversity of human creativity shapes his posture, interaction with, and interpretation of Christian scripture.

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The organisers would be happy to discuss individual proposals or any questions further, but the NAPS submission platform can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScL-KF68QZaznuIPnoGiagEw6CmoVz5_gFqHuxQ_fCxjIp_aQ/viewform.

The deadline for abstract submissions is November 18^th, and all those who submit will be informed of the outcome by November 30^th.

Do get in touch for further information, or to discuss possible papers.

Warmly,

Edward Creedy (Durham University) edward.j.creedy@durham.ac.uk

Cody Barnhart (University of Aberdeen) c.barnhart.21@abdn.ac.uk