Although it is hard to identify an integrated theology in First Clement, it provides an answer to the factionalism of the house churches through focusing on some theological perspectives:
1. Christological perspective:
First Clement illuminates “order”, “harmony/concord”, and “peace” as central themes in the life of the church. These are the important characteristics that must exist and be rooted in the life of the church. At the same time, 1 Clement connects all of these characteristics with the Christ Himself in different ways, as follows:
a. Christ as the pattern: Spiritual pride, jealousy, envy, and anger represent the root of factionalism (1Clem. 3, 4, 13, 14). So, the real need is humility. Christ is our example of humility (1Clem 16). Although He is the “majestic scepter of God”, He didn’t come in pride, but in humility (16:2), and we have to imitate Him.
b. Christ as the way: 1 Clement presents the faith in Christ as the way to achieve this victorious life which avoids factionalism by being filled of harmony and peace. “Now faith in Christ confirms all these things” (22:1). “This is the way, dear friends, in which we found our salvation, namely Jesus Christ…” (36: 1).
c. Love in Christ and fulfillment of the commandments correspond to one another. “Let the one who has love in Christ fulfill the commandments of Christ” (49: 1).
d. The church leadership’s authority, and order, exist because of the authority of Christ Himself. “… Christ is from God, and the apostles are from Christ” (42: 1). The leaders “received their orders and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (42: 3).
2. Pneumatological perspective:
1 Clement connects the abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit with humility, submission, and giving (2:2). It illuminates that when the church of Corinthians was in union, the Spirit poured upon everyone. “Moreover, you were all humble… submitting… more glad to give than to receive… Thus a profound and rich peace was going to all… and an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit fell upon everyone as well” (2:1, 2).
3. Eschatological perspective:
1 Clement uses the eschatological hope to encourage the Christians to keep harmony, order, and peace in their churches. Paul “showed the way to the prize for patient endurance” (5:5), and “we are in the same arena, and the same contest awaits us” (7:1). “Therefore… let us conform to the glorious and holy rule of our tradition” (7:2). “Behold, the Lord comes, and His reward is with Him” (34: 3). Moreover, 1 clement reminds Christian of the hope of resurrection to encourage them to keep order, harmony, and peace.
