This introduction will serve to set up the blogs for the next couple weeks.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to be looking at a Scripture that a few of the Early Church Fathers chime-in on, something that doesn\u2019t occur often.\u00a0 Different Fathers have expertise in various areas of Scripture, just like many leaders do today.<\/p>\n
The passage we\u2019ll be considering is the Rich Young Ruler<\/em>\u00a0(Matthew 19.16-30<\/a>; Mark 10.17-31<\/a>; Luke 18.18-29<\/a>).\u00a0 We\u2019ll look at it first through the lens of Clement of Alexandria, secondly Origen, and then Jerome.<\/p>\n Alexandria is in North Africa.\u00a0 There is a lot of Theology that develops out of North Africa over time.\u00a0 Clement of Alexandria and Origen are both leaders at the school there.\u00a0 Jerome is a leader in the Bethlehem area.<\/p>\n Clement\u2019s views and writings set the stage for education, as it develops in the medieval times in Europe.\u00a0 He is quite a philosopher who becomes a Christian, and influences Christianity in general.<\/p>\n Alexandria is the place where Mark is martyred, according to tradition.\u00a0 He probably is an influence on that Christian community\u2019s development.\u00a0 Alexandria is also known for a profound ancient library.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s consider what Clement of Alexandria has to bring to the table about the Rich Young Ruler<\/em>, as we consider the ancient virtue of Simplicity<\/em>.<\/p>\n