Moral Suasion in 2 Clement and the early Christian Church

Abstract

We use the tools of economics to explore the organizational rules of the early Christian church in 2 Clement. This ancient document is a homily exhorting Christians to discipline and virtue. It is valuable as a window into a nascent religious organization attempting to solve collective action problems. We argue that 2 Clement uses moral suasion to align individual self-interest with communal wellbeing. Using a rational choice approach, we show why moral suasion was a feasible governance mechanism within the early church.

Keywords: Economics of Religion, Christian church, Moral Suasion, Rational Choice