Irenaeus’ Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching
Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp, placing him two generations from the apostles. He lived between AD 120 and 202. Irenaeus wrote as a bishop in Lyons, France, and found himself part of a global church embroiled in heresy and schism. Because of this he devoted much of his life to understanding and refuting the heretics of his day. This has been preserved in a five volume series, titled “Against Heresies.”
This episode contains a work by Irenaeus, the “Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching,” which may be the best, concise summary of the Christian faith from the Early Church period covered so far in this podcast. The work is a letter to one “beloved Marcianus,” to whom Irenaeus provides a manual of essentials of the Christian faith. He echoes the Didache’s characterization of the two ways of life but spends much of the letter tracing out the grand narrative of redemption through the Scriptures, following the now-familiar pattern of creation, fall, preparation, redemption, and restoration that characterizes modern Gospel presentations. Moreover, he characterizes Christianity, and all of creation, as driven and underlaid by the persons and nature of the Trinity.
Part of Irenaeus’ intent is to demonstrate that the actions of Christ and the preaching of the Apostles are indeed consistent with the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. In making his case, Irenaeus draws upon a substantial amount of scripture and leans heavily on passages quoted by Paul and included in Hebrews alongside many that I’ve encountered in the work by modern-day commentators and preachers.
Most significantly, perhaps, is the fact that Irenaeus frames Christ’s appearance as a continuation of the Old Testament promises. His characterization of God’s interactions with humanity is broadly in line with the idea of Covenant Theology. Irenaeus’ survey of scripture highlights the significance of the covenants that God makes with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. He demonstrates how these promises are alive and active, ultimately fulfilled in the coming of Christ. As a result, I find Irenaeus' work encouraging as it shows how many Churches today follow in this same tradition, faithfully teaching what the Apostles communicated to the Churches.
If you would like to read more of the writings of the Early Christian Fathers, please visit ccel.org to view the full collection.
