Irenaeus of Lyons
Bishop of Lyons who opposed rival claims to secret saving knowledge by appealing to the public apostolic proclamation, Scripture, and the faith of the churches.
Historical context
Against Heresies reports opponents' views before answering them; a summary of those views in Book I should not be mistaken for Irenaeus's own teaching.
Key points
- Book III discusses apostolic witness and the public continuity of the churches.
- His defense of the incarnation and resurrection resists dividing salvation from embodied creation.
Scripture
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 — Resurrection and Christ's victory provide a scriptural comparison for his account of salvation.
Primary sources
Irenaeus argues in Against Heresies:
Irenaeus answers secret-tradition claims by appealing to publicly traceable apostolic ministry.
we are in a position to reckon up those who were by the apostles instituted bishops in the Churches
Passage context and translation
Irenaeus appeals to the public succession of bishops against claims of secret apostolic teaching.
Before the excerpt
the tradition of the apostles manifested throughout the whole world; and
After the excerpt
and [to demonstrate] the succession of these men to our own times
Sources and further reading
Related records
- Scripture & Holy Tradition
- The Church
- The Early Church Fathers
- WHY APOSTOLIC TRADITION?
- Irenaeus: public succession and doctrine
- Moses and the passing glory
- The fourth figure in the furnace
- Early Paschal witnesses: chronology, custom, and peace
- Quartodeciman Pascha controversy
- Irenaeus responds to Gnosticism
- Ministry and succession in early sources
- Polycarp and Anicetus retain communion despite differing Paschal customs