St. Irenaeus of Lyons: Against the Heresies, Volume 1, Book 1
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Against the Heresies establishes Irenaeus as the most important theologian of the second century. It is a detailed and effective refutation of Gnosticism, and a major source of information on the various Gnostic sects and doctrines in early Christianity.
Top Highlights
“In the same way, anyone who keeps unchangeable in himself the Rule of the Truth23 received through baptism will recognize the names and sayings and parables from the Scriptures, but this blasphemous theme of theirs he will not recognize. For even if he recognizes the jewels, he will not accept the fox for the image of the king. He will restore each one of the passages to its proper order and, having fit it into the body of the Truth,24 he will lay bare their fabrication and show that it is without support.” (Page 48)
“this profundity of nonsense and of blasphemy against God” (Page 22)
“They act like those who would propose themes which they chance upon and then try to put them to verse20 from Homeric poems, so that the inexperienced think that Homer composed the poems with that theme, which in reality are of recent composition.” (Page 47)
“Word did not directly become flesh; but Savior put on an ensouled body,16 they say, which was fashioned out of the Economy by an unutterable forethought, so that he might become visible and tangible.” (Page 47)
“Studies thus far, however, substantiate the centuries-old belief in the reliability of Irenaeus as a source.” (Page 1)
- Title: St. Irenaeus of Lyons: Against the Heresies, Volume 1, Book 1
- Authors: Irenaeus, Dominic J. Unger
- Edition: 55
- Series: Ancient Christian Writers
- Volume: I
- Publisher: Newman Press
- Print Publication Date: 1992
- Logos Release Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Gnosticism › Controversial literature--Early works to 1800; Theology, doctrinal › Early works to 1800
- ISBNs: 0809104547, 9780809104543
- Resource ID: LLS:STRNSLYNSHRSS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-05-10T21:13:56Z
Reviews
1 rating
Glenn Crouch
7/26/2024
I had been waiting for all 5 books in this modern translation of Irenaeus’ classic work “Against Heresies” to come out before getting stuck into them. This is the first one, For the past 40+ years I have had a fascination with Early Church History, and many of the translations I have read (especially in my early days) were those made in the 19th Century. We are blessed to have so many modern translations being made, that not only are more readable to a 21st Century reader, but also include the latest manuscript evidence and reflect the many years of scholarly debate. This is not an easy book for one starting out to read writings of the Early Church. Irenaeus is endeavouring to catalogue the foundational beliefs of various Gnostic groups. Some of the passages really do seem like the result of an overindulgence of magic mushrooms. However it is intriguing how far from the teaching of both the Septuagint and the writers of the New Testament these beliefs are. Especially when you allow for the writing of this volume in the latter half of the Second Century. On to the next book :)