St. Irenaeus of Lyons: Against the Heresies, Book 2
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
Against the Heresies establishes Irenaeus as the most important theologian of the second century. Volume 2 is a detailed and effective refutation of the Gnostic heretics the Valentinians and the Marcionites.
Top Highlights
“But everyone will acknowledge that the age of thirty is the first sign of a young adult, and it extends till the fortieth year.27 From the fortieth and fiftieth year one already declines to old age. When Our Lord reached this age he taught. Witnesses of this are the Gospels and all the presbyters in Asia who were united with John, the Lord’s disciple. They [claim] that John handed the same tradition down to them. Now John continued among them till the time of Trajan.28 Moreover, some of them saw not only John but other apostles, and they heard these same things from them and bear witness to this account. Whom must we rather believe? Men like these, or Ptolemaeus, who never saw the apostles, and who not even in dreams came near to a footprint of an apostle?” (Pages 74–75)
“It is proper to God’s preeminence not to be in need of other instruments for creating things to be made” (Page 21)
“alone is Father, and he alone contains all things, and he himself gives existence to all things.” (Page 17)
“God has no need of anything that exists7 since he created all things and made them by his Word” (Page 20)
“always coexisting with the Father,47 of old and from the beginning always reveals the Father” (Page 100)
Reviews
1 rating
Glenn Crouch
5/13/2025
Volume Two proved far more enjoyable than its predecessor. This is not unexpected, considering the last book presented the views the Author would now challenge. Here we start to encounter the Irenaeus that is often mentioned and quoted, and I am impressed at the development of the theology that is included. Remember that we are in the second half of the second century - and long before the Council of Nicaea. As mentioned in the review of the previous volume, these are not easy reading for the novice. However, very worthwhile reading. I was impressed with the readability of the translation. Now onto Volume 3.