Clement of Alexandria

Clement is important because of his clear rejection of anti-intellectualism. Here's a passage from an essay on Clement:

He regarded the science and philosophy of the Greeks as being, like the Torah of the Hebrews, a preparation for the Gospel, and the curriculum of his School undertook to give his students both a knowledge of the Gospel of Christ and a sound liberal education. His speculative theology, his scholarly defense of the faith and his willingness to meet non-Christian scholars on their own grounds, helped to establish the good reputation of Christianity in the world of learning and prepare the way for his pupil, Origen, the most eminent theologian of Greek Christianity.

Clement is quoted as having said, “The Lord has turned all our sunsets into sunrise.” I've always loved that.