Irenaeus (ca. 125-202)
was bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, which is now Lyons, France. Irenaeus was born in
Smyrna in Asia Minor, where he studied under bishopPolycarp, who in turn
had been a disciple of the Apostle
John. Leaving Asia Minor for Rome he
joined the school of Justin
Martyr before being made bishop of Lyons in
Southern Gaul in about 178 AD.
Irenaeus is primarily noted for his refutation of early Gnosticism. To this end
he wrote his major work Against Heresies, in which also sought to
expound and defend the orthodox Christian faith. A shorter later work is
his Proof of the Apostolic Preaching, a brief
summary of Christian teaching, largely concerned with Christ as the fulfillment
of Old Testament prophecy. Theopedia.
