Irenaeus

Irenaeus
RELATED TOPICS	Gnosticism Apologetics
SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS
CONTENTS

Irenaeus (130 - 202 AD) was an important early Christian who wrote against Gnosticism. He was originally from Asia Minor and later became Bishop of Lyon (South Gaul).

He was a strong opponent of Gnosticism, writing

• Refutation and Overthrow of the Knowledge Falsely So-Called (Other names: "Against Heresies" and "Five Books Against Heresies")
• Demonstration of Apostolic Faith

Traditionally, he is believed to have died a martyr's death.

This biographical article is a stub. You can help WikiChristian by expanding it

Quotes

Irenaeus Against Heresies, book 2: ch 34: para 1. Page 411 in ANF1, that is, Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1, at Christian Classics Ethereal Library. [Re: Resurrection, not reincarnation, transmigration of souls or metempsychosis. C 185 AD.]

The Lord has taught with very great fulness, that souls not only continue to exist, not by passing from body to body, but that they preserve the same form [in their separate state] as the body had to which they were adapted, and that they remember the deeds which they did in this state of existence, and from which they have now ceased, - in that narrative which is recorded respecting the rich man and that Lazarus who found repose in the bosom of Abraham [Luke 16:19ff].

Links

---

Return to Christianity | Famous Christians