The Writings of Irenæus, vols. 1 & 2

by Alexander Roberts; W. H. Rambaut; Irenaeus

Publishers:

T&T Clark; Hamilton & Co.; J. Robertson & Co.

, 1868–1869

Overview

Irenaeus of Lyons was an influential Church Father of the second century. He was one of the first to emphasize the episcopacy and the canonicity of the four Gospels, playing a large role in the formation of a New Testament canon. Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp, who in turn was a disciple of the Apostle John.

The Writings of Irenaeus is an extensive collection of the bishop of Lyons’ work, including his most famous work, Against Heresies—directed against the Gnostic heretics.

Key Features

• Presents an extensive collection of Irenaeus’ works, including Against Heresies
• Includes a brief introduction to Against Heresies

Top Highlights

“For the glory of God is a living man; and the life of man consists in beholding God.” (Volume 1, Page 444)

“There are also some [of them] who declare, ‘Thou art fairer than” (Volume 2, Page 13)

“We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of Antichrist; for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen no very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of Domitian’s reign.” (Volume 2, Page 138)

“We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith.” (Volume 1, Page 258)

“For it was for this end that the Word of God was made man, and He who was the Son of God became the Son of man, that man, having been taken into the Word, and receiving the adoption, might become the son of God. For by no other means could we have attained to incorruptibility and immortality, unless we had been united to incorruptibility and immortality. But how could we be joined to incorruptibility and immortality, unless, first, incorruptibility and immortality had become that which we also are, so that the corruptible might be swallowed up by incorruptibility, and the mortal by immortality, that we might receive the adoption of sons?” (Volume 1, Page 345)

Product Details

• Title: The Writings of Irenæus, vols. 1 & 2
• Author: Irenaeus of Lyons
• Translators: Alexander Roberts and W.H. Rambaut
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Volumes: 2
• Pages: 1,020
• Christian Group: Orthodox
• Resource Type: Collected Works

About Irenaeus of Lyons

Irenaeus of Lyons (AD 130–202) was bishop of Lyon in Gaul. He was an early Church Father and apologist. His work played a key role in forming Christian theology. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Irenaeus was born into a Christian family. He was a priest at Lyons and became bishop after Pothinus was martyred. Most of his writing is directed against the Gnostic heretics. He is recognized as a Saint by both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches.