Clement of Alexandria (c. AD 150-c. 215)

Greek theologian who applied Greek philosophical ideas to Christian doctrine, believing that Greek philosophy was a divine gift to humanity. He was one of the early Christian writers whose writings are considered authoritative by the church, known as fathers of the church.

Clement was probably born in Athens but taught in Alexandria, Egypt; one of his students was the theologian Origen. Clement saw Christ as the source of all human reason as well as the incarnation of the Word. He took an optimistic view of the ultimate fate of even the most wicked.

His works include The Exhortation to the Greeks and Miscellanies.