10/20/16

Question 1

What are the three major accomplishments of Irenaeus?

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Answer 1

1. He evangelized the country around Lyons.
2. He interceded with Victor, bishop of Rome, in the Quartodeciman (14) controversy.
3. His confrontation with the Heretics, particularly the Gnostics

Question 2

What are the contents of the book “Against Heresies”?

Answer 2

I. Exposing the Knowledge falsely so called

II. Casting down these views

III. Genuine proofs from Scripture in Juxtaposition with heretical teachings

IV. Refutation of heretics and proof of truth through the words of Jesus and showing the continuity of the testaments.

V. More proof and refutation through the Lord’s doctrine and the Apostolic writings. Focus on incarnation and recapitulation, millennium and resurrection

Question 3

what are the “Doctrines of Irenaeus”?

Answer 3

A. Creation – God is the creator of all things not God;

B. Scripture and Tradition -Employed the rule of faith and “tradition” (the observable succession of bishops in the apostolic churches) as a demonstration of the exclusive truthfulness of scripture.

C. God – non-dualistic; unity of God, while clearly Trinitarian

D. Man – created contingent and fell necessarily but freely; the redeemed will be reclaimed to full expression of the image of God [deified]

E. Person of Christ- Irenaeus argued strongly that the redeemer must be both God and man.

F. Atonement

1. It is both metaphysical and moral;
2. It is incarnational and sacrificial
3. Summarized in recapitulation

G. Millennium and the restored earth - It is fitting that we should be blessed and find joy in realm where we suffered etc.

Question 4

What are the three elements of salvation we find in Ireneaus’ doctrine of Recapitulation
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Answer 4

a) Obedience - Christ is obedient in every stage of life
b) Ransom – God performs his salvation in a just manner. It was by a “rational transaction” with a just payment made rather than by an arbitrary exercise of omnipotence.
c) Resurrection - we will not enter the presence of God until our souls are rejoined with our bodies; God puts the souls of the saints in an “unseen region” until the resurrection

Question 5

What are the four points of our evaluation of Ireneaus

Answer 5

A. We see clearly the power and necessity of pastoral theology

B. The gospel cannot be adjusted in its content or world view to popular current thought but always stands in judgment of it

C. On the other hand, in Irenaeus we find that Biblical Theology has a flexibility that allows us to wrestle with contemporary ideas to formulate appropriate responses.

D. Irenaeus achieves not just a few victories in skirmishes around the periphery of Christian thought, but constructs a systematic approach which routs Gnostic thought at its very heart.