Thursday, June 28, 2007

Irenaeus of Lyons, Pastor

Irenaeus (ca. A.D. 130-200), believed to be a native of Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey), studied in Rome and later became pastor in Lyons, France. Around 177, while Irenaeus was away from Lyons, a fierce persecution of Christians led to the martyrdom of his bishop. Upon Irenaeus' return, he became bishop of Lyons. Among his most famous writings is a work condemning heresies, especially Gnosticism, which denied the goodness of creation. In opposition, Irenaeus confessed that God has redeemed his creation through the incarnation of the Son. Irenaeus also affirmed the teachings of the Scriptures handed down to and through him as being normative for the Church.

[From The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Commission on Worship]

3 comments:

David Contra Mundum said...

AAAAAAAAAMEN!!!

rev.will said...

You know it. You know, I am ashamed, but I really have to thank Dan Brown for reminding me what an amazing blessing Irenaeus was to the Church (despite what the idiot Dan Brown thinks).

David Contra Mundum said...

Amen again!