INASMUCH as certain men have set the truth aside, and bring in lying words and vain genealogies, which, as the apostle says, “minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith,” and by means of their craftily-constructed plausibilities draw away the minds of the inexperienced and take them captive, [I have felt constrained, my dear friend, to compose the following treatise in order to expose and counteract their machinations.] These men falsify the oracles of God, and prove t...

This anthology edited by Philip Schaff, a renowned ecclesiastic historian, includes the most important works by early Christian theologians. Their comportment and sacrifice, their lectures and preaching, their moral values, and their understanding of Christianity and its most precious messages - shaped the foundations of the Christianity, helping it spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond its borders during the first centuries after the death of Jesus. The edition includes: Volume I:...

Against Heresies (Adversus Haereses) unfolds across five books as Irenaeus's comprehensive rebuttal of second-century Gnostic systems—above all the Valentinian and related schools—pairing meticulous catalogues of doctrines with scriptural exegesis and ecclesial reasoning. Written in a clear, pastoral yet polemical prose, it advances the rule of faith, the goodness of creation, the unity of the God of Israel with the Father of Jesus, and the recapitulation of humanity in Christ. Its method ...

Against Heresies is one of the foundational works of early Christian theology, composed as a systematic refutation of Gnostic teachings, especially those associated with Valentinian speculation. Irenaeus combines careful exposition, polemical argument, scriptural interpretation, and pastoral concern, presenting Christian truth as a coherent "rule of faith" received from the apostles. Its literary style is methodical and juridical, yet often vigorous, reflecting the intellectual and ecclesi...

This book comes complete with a Touch-or-Click Table of Contents, divided by each section. Irenaeus was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, then a part of the Roman Empire. He was an early church father and apologist, and his writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology. He was a hearer of Polycarp, who in turn was a disciple of John the Evangelist. Irenaeus' best-known book, Adversus Haereses or Against Heresies (c. 180) is a detailed attack on Gnosticism, which was then...

Saint Irenaeus (? 202 A.D.) was Bishop of Lugdunum (now Lyons) in Gaul, then a part of the Roman Empire. Irenaeus is recognized as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Roman Catholic Church. His feast day is on June 28 in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints, where it was inserted for the first time in 1920; in 1960 it was transferred to July 3, leaving June 28 for the Vigil of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, but in 1969 it was returned to June 28, the day of his birth to hea...

Our Special Edition: +All 5 books in one! +An Essay on Early Christian Literary Culture +Brief Biography of St. Irenaeus +10 Original illustrations by sequential digital artist Jacob Rice +Book Study Notes This is an apologetics classic which - in the 2nd century AD - clarified many of the beliefs we take for granted - and is the Early Church's battleground against the Gnostics. We can also thank Iranaeus for fighting for the present books of the New...

This Translation of S. Irenæus’ work against Heresies was finished by the Translator though not begun to be printed in his lifetime. One very remarkable feature in the work, the depth of S. Irenæus’ fervent and loyal Love for his Master, as of one who all but remembered His earthly Life, amid the drearier exposure of the wild Gnostic Heresies, ever glowing forth;—the firm gentle lowly loyal mind of the Author of the Christian Year could best render into English.For correcting the P...

Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History tells us that in addition to his great work Against Heresies St Irenæus wrote A Discourse in Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching. This work was entirely lost sight of: no one seems ever to have quoted a word of it. But it has quite recently reappeared in an Armenian manuscript together with Books IV and V of the greater work. The Armenian translation proves to be a fairly close rendering of the original Greek.What Irenæus meant by the Apo...

This Translation of S. Irenæus’ work against Heresies was finished by the Translator though not begun to be printed in his lifetime. One very remarkable feature in the work, the depth of S. Irenæus’ fervent and loyal Love for his Master, as of one who all but remembered His earthly Life, amid the drearier exposure of the wild Gnostic Heresies, ever glowing forth;—the firm gentle lowly loyal mind of the Author of the Christian Year could best render into English.For correcting the Pr...

"Letters from Switzerland" by Samuel Irenaeus Prime is a captivating collection of correspondence that offers a glimpse into the author's experiences and reflections during his travels in Switzerland. Through vivid descriptions and engaging narratives, Prime captures the stunning landscapes, rich culture, and the warmth of the Swiss people. His letters serve not only as travel accounts but also as a means of sharing his thoughts on nature, society, and the human experience, making the book...

The South and the North of Europe are contrasted in this volume. Not by any formal comparison of the morals and manners, the institutions and condition of the peoples in different latitudes, but by candid statement and description, I have sought to give a fair view of life as it is in Spain and Scandinavia. Since the journey was made, the Queen of Spain has fled, and the Emperor of France has perished from among men. But the social life of the nations remains the same from age to age. The ...