The Epistemology of Irenaeus

[The Squalid Wanderer]

Irenaeus sets down an epistemology centered on Christ as the Logos of God, whose words are found in the Old Testament1 as well as in the teachings of His disciples, the Apostles2.  This doctrine of the Apostles was at first transmitted by way of preaching, and, at a later point, by the grace of God, written down and contained in the Scriptures of the New Testament to serve as a foundation for successive generations.3

The Scriptures, contrary to the nay saying of its opponents, are, in there entirety, clear and unambiguous in the terms by which they set forth the teachings of Christ and the Apostles4 to any with a sound mind and who are devoted to piety and the love of truth.5  While it is admitted that not all passages are equally clear, and parables can admit a variety of interpretations, this does not render the Scriptures impossible, but the opposite actually, for Scripture has provided us with many passages which are unmistakably unambiguous in their nature by which we may interpret these passages of difficulty and parables.6

These same doctrines were also entrusted to the men in whom the Apostles entrusted the governance of the Church7, and is preserved in such a fashion that even should the written documents of their teachings be unavailable, this tradition maintained would be sufficient to guide believers in the faith.8

The function of this tradition has been dynamic through the life of the Church, serving as a medium to convey the content of the apostolic tradition, a role still operating for the illiterate and those whose language has not received the Scriptures yet.  In addition, tradition worked as a guiding principle in the assembly of the canon of Scripture itself, and finally as a hermeneutical device to protect Scripture from manipulative interpretation and as concise statement of the same faith more fully expounded in the Scriptures for an aid in education and confession.9

It is this last function which is now most commonly associated with tradition, a protective rule by which false teachers and their twisted use of Scripture can be tried and found wanting.10  For while the Scriptures are clear to those of sound mind and pious hearts, the enemies of the Church continue their assault upon her, seeking by whatever means to draw those away from the truth who might be swayed by their deceptions.11  It is for this reason that the diligent read the Scriptures in the company of the presbyters in the Church, among whom is the apostolic doctrine.12

This episcopate, by a lawful succession from the apostles themselves13, has preserved both the Scriptures and tradition from falsification, either by addition to or subtraction from the faith.14  We find this particularly apparent in those churches of apostolic foundation15, with the Church of Rome being the most conspicuous of these.16  This succession of office is the guarantor of fidelity to the apostolic doctrine17, a blessing to the Church if discharged faithfully, but the direst of calamities if not.18

Therefore it is incumbent upon us to obey the presbyters who are in the Church, who are in possession of succession from the apostles19, who display sound speech and are blameless in conduct for the confirmation and correction of others.20  Such presbyters as this have received the certain gift of truth, according to the good pleasure of the Father21, and preserve the faith of the Father, draw us toward an increase in love for the Son of God, and expound the Scriptures to us without danger, neither blaspheming God, nor dishonoring prophets or apostles.22

Alternately, we are to avoid all those who are subservient to their own lusts and do not place the fear of God supreme in their hearts, but instead conduct themselves with contempt toward others and are puffed up with the pride of holding the chief seat.  Such as these work evil deeds in secret, which the Lord will judge accordingly.23

True knowledge is the doctrine of the apostles, and the ancient constitution of the Church throughout the world, and the distinctive manifestation of the body of Christ according to the successions of the bishops, by which they have handed down that Church which exists in every place, and has come even unto us, being guarded and preserved without any forging of Scriptures, by a very complete system of doctrine, and neither receiving addition nor curtailment. It consists in reading the Scriptures without falsification, and a lawful and diligent exposition in harmony with the Scriptures, both without danger and without blasphemy.  And above all, it consists in the pre-eminent gift of love, which is more precious than knowledge, more glorious than prophecy, and which excels all the other gifts of God.24

 

[The Squalid Wanderer]

Unless otherwise noted, all addresses are from Irenaeus Against Heresies. Addresses are in this format: book.chapter.paragraph

1. 4.5.1: "For neither in an ambiguous, nor arrogant, nor boastful manner, does He say these things; but since it was impossible, without God, to come to a knowledge of God, He teaches men, through His Word, to know God.";
4.10.1

2. Book 3, Preface: "For the Lord of all gave to His apostles the power of the Gospel, through whom also we have known the truth, that is, the doctrine of the Son of God; to whom also did the Lord declare: "He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me, and Him that sent Me"

3. 3.1.1: "WE have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith"

4. 2.27.2: "the entire Scriptures, the prophets, and the Gospels, can be clearly, unambiguously, and harmoniously understood by all"

5. 2.27.1: "A sound mind, and one which does not expose its possessor to danger, and is devoted to piety and the love of truth, will eagerly meditate upon those things which God has placed within the power of mankind, and has subjected to our knowledge, and will make advancement in them, rendering the knowledge of them easy to him by means of daily study"

6. 2.27.1: "therefore the parables ought not to be adapted to ambiguous expressions. For, if this be not done, both he who explains them will do so without danger, and the parables will receive a like interpretation from all, and the body of truth remains entire, with a harmonious adaptation of its members, and without any collision"

7. 3.3.1: "For if the apostles had known hidden mysteries, which they were in the habit of imparting to ‘the perfect’ apart and privily from the rest, they would have delivered them especially to those to whom they were also committing the Churches themselves. For they were desirous that these men should be very perfect and blameless in all things, whom also they were leaving behind as their successors, delivering up their own place of government to these men";
3.4.1: "since the apostles, like a rich man [depositing his money] in a bank, lodged in her hands most copiously all things pertaining to the truth"

8. 3.4.1: "For how should it be if the apostles themselves had not left us writings? Would it not be necessary, [in that case,] to follow the course of the tradition which they handed down to those to whom they did commit the Churches?";
3.4.2: "To which course many nations of those barbarians who believe in Christ do assent, having salvation written in their hearts by the Spirit, without paper or ink, and, carefully preserving the ancient tradition"

9. Pelikan, Jaroslav; The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition. pg. 116, second paragraph

10. 3.2.2,3

11. Book 1, Preface

12. 4.32.1: "And then shall every word also seem consistent to him, if he for his part diligently read the Scriptures in company with those who are presbyters in the Church, among whom is the apostolic doctrine, as I have pointed out."

13. 3.3.2: "we do put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner, whether by an evil self-pleasing, by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion, assemble in unauthorized meetings";
3.3.3: demonstrated

14. 3.3.3: "In this order, and by this succession, the ecclesiastical tradition from the apostles, and the preaching of the truth, have come down to us. And this is most abundant proof that there is one and the same vivifying faith, which has been preserved in the Church from the apostles until now, and handed down in truth.";
4.33.8: "the successions of the bishops, by which they have handed down that Church which exists in every place, and has come even unto us, being guarded and preserved without any forging of Scriptures, by a very complete system of doctrine, and neither receiving addition nor suffering curtailment"

15. 3.3.1: "It is within the power of all, therefore, in every Church, who may wish to see the truth, to contemplate clearly the tradition of the apostles manifested throughout the whole world; and we are in a position to reckon up those who were by the apostles instituted bishops in the Churches, and to demonstrate the succession of these men to our own times"

16. 3.3.2: "the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul; … For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church, on account of its pre- eminent authority, that is, the faithful everywhere, inasmuch as the apostolical tradition has been preserved continuously by those who exist everywhere."

17. 3.4.1: "Suppose there arise a dispute relative to some important question among us, should we not have recourse to the most ancient Churches with which the apostles held constant intercourse, and learn from them what is certain and clear in regard to the present question?"

18. 3.3.1: "whom also they were leaving behind as their successors, delivering up their own place of government to these men; which men, if they discharged their functions honestly, would be a great boon, but if they should fall away, the direst calamity."

19. 4.26.2: "Wherefore it is incumbent to obey the presbyters who are in the Church,-those who, as I have shown, possess the succession from the apostles"

20. 4.26.4: "adhere to those who, as I have already observed, do hold the doctrine of the apostles, and who, together with the order of priesthood, display sound speech and blameless conduct for the confirmation and correction of others"

21. 4.26.2: "the succession of the episcopate, have received the certain gift of truth, according to the good pleasure of the Father";
4.26.5: "Where, therefore, the gifts of the Lord have been placed, there it behooves us to learn the truth from those who possess that succession of the Church which is from the apostles"

22. 4.26.5: "For these also preserve this faith of ours in one God who created all things; and they increase that love for the Son of God, who accomplished such marvelous dispensations for our sake: and they expound the Scriptures to us without danger, neither blaspheming God, nor dishonoring the patriarchs, nor despising the prophets."

23. 4.26.3

24. 4.33.8