Irenaeus of Lyons
Bishop of Lyons, refuter of Gnosticism, and master of recapitulation theology
Irenaeus of Lyons was the premier anti-Gnostic theologian of the Ante-Nicene church. In his five-volume masterpiece *Against Heresies* (Adversus Haereses), he established the standard Rule of Faith (kanon tes pisteos), defended the fourfold Gospel canon, and articulated the theology of Recapitulation (anakephalaiosis): Christ undoes the disobedience of Adam at every stage of human life.
Historical Context & Significance
Having heard Polycarp in his youth in Smyrna, Irenaeus relocated to Roman Gaul and succeeded the martyred Pothinus as bishop of Lyons following the brutal persecutions of 177 AD.
Genealogical Lineage & Splits
This movement or council is an early root foundation with no preceding parent split in the dataset.
Theological & Hermeneutical Coordinates
Primary Scripture Proof-Texts
Key biblical passages central to this tradition's exegesis and historical debates.
Connected Theological Perspectives & Debates
Universal Christian confession that God Almighty is the sole Creator of all things visible and invisible out of nothing (*creatio ex nihilo*).
Universal confession that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and was raised for our justification according to the Scriptures.