Irenaeus of Lyons

Church Father · late second century · Lyons in Roman Gaul

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.

Perspective note

Shared subject; this bundled record was originally written with an Orthodox-informed editorial lens.

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
— St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies (Book 3, Chapter 3, Section 1), trans. Alexander Roberts and William Rambaut

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

Roberts and Rambaut translation in Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1; displayed wording is an excerpt from a longer sentence in III.3.1.

Sources and further reading

Irenaeus, Against Heresies (primary text index) (Primary text in translation)

Related records

Scripture and Tradition (Formation Module)
Fathers and Doctors (Formation Module)
WHY COMMUNION WITH ROME? (Formation Claim)
Irenaeus: public succession and doctrine (Episkopos · Apostolic Succession)
Moses and the passing glory (Christophanies)
The fourth figure in the furnace (Christophanies)
Early Paschal witnesses: chronology, custom, and peace (Passover Chronology)
Quartodeciman Pascha controversy (Timeline Event)
Irenaeus responds to Gnosticism (Timeline Event)
Ministry and succession in early sources (Scripture Study)
Polycarp and Anicetus retain communion despite differing Paschal customs (Timeline Event)

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