The Book of 2 Clement
The Book of 2 Clement was not written by the author of the Book of 1 Clement, who is generally regarded to be Clement of Rome, one of the early Popes of the Church according to most lists of the papal line of succession. The identity of the author of the book designated 2 Clement was in doubt as early as the third century and today it is considered to have been written anonymously as the text of a sermon delivered to the Church in Corinth sometime before the year 140 AD, and possibly as early as 95 AD, which would put it within Clement of Rome’s lifetime.
But it would not align it with Clement’s only other known work, the epistle known as 1 Clement, also outside the accepted Canon of the New Testament. There is no introduction within the document, which is typical of an Epistle, along with the greetings of the writer, and it addresses the subject of paganism in sermonesque tones. If as most scholars believe it is a sermon it is the oldest surviving text of a Christian sermon, if one does not count the Sermon on the Mount recounted in the Gospels as delivered by Jesus himself.
Originally written in the Greek language the sermon discusses aspects of paganism in a manner which indicates it was written for the attention of former pagans rather than those converted from Judaism or to convert others from Judaism. At one point the text reads that the writer would read aloud from Scripture, a clear indication that it was originally delivered verbally rather than as a written text in the form of an epistle. There are quotes allegedly from Jesus which are not found elsewhere in the written record, as well as some from the Canonical Gospels, demonstrating a familiarity with both the Gospels and the oral tradition among early Christians.
It is clear from the content of the text that the speaker or writer (or both) considers both the texts of the Old Testament and the words of Jesus to be Holy Scripture. Research into 2 Clement has revealed that it references both the Gospel of Peter and the Gospel of Thomas, an indication of how widespread both of those later discredited works were in the early days of the Christian Church. The sermon, or epistle if that is what it is, remains outside of the official Canon, although it does not appear to be in conflict with any Church teachings.
It is likely excluded from the Biblical Canon because of its unknown authorship. Since it is believed to be from the first century its dating would not alone be a reason for its exclusion from the Canon. Nor would its message, other than its apparent reliance on the already considered heretical Gospels of Peter and Thomas as sources for its message. It is recognized by both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches as a work by one of the Apostolic Fathers of the Church, but neither ascribes it to a specific person.
Where did we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
“Apostolic Fathers, the Greek Texts and English Translations”, by Michael Holmes
“Brethren of the Lord”, Catholic Answers.
“Martin Luther”, entry, Brittanica.com
“Martin Luther and the Birth of Protestantism”, by James Atkinson
“The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Christian Myth”, by John Marco Allegro
“The Historical Jesus, a Comprehensive Guide”, by Gerd Thiessen and Annette Merz
“Who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?”, by Andrew Lawler, The Smithsonian Magazine, January 2010
“Mysterious Dead Sea Scroll deciphered in Israel”, BBC News, January 22, 2018