There are hidden treasures tucked away in ancient monasteries: a professor found a fragment of the oldest Bible in an obscure eighteenth century book in an Egyptian monastery library, archeologists discovered rare gold coins hidden in an abandoned German monastery, researchers decoded an ancient medical prescription for treating scorpion bites in a Mt. Sinai monastery and an orthodox priest happened upon a copy of Irenaeus’ Apostolic Preaching in an Armenian monastery lost for two millennia. Irenaeus (ca. 130-202), who was born in Smyrna (Turkey) and lived in Lyons (France), was tutored in the faith by Bishop Polycarp, a disciple of John the Evangelist whose gospel bears his name. Irenaeus was assigned the task of delivering a letter to the bishop of Rome. The church in Lyons came under persecution in Irenaeus’ absence. The bishop of Lyons died in the purge, and Irenaeus was selected bishop upon his return, providing much-needed leadership in a time of Roman oppression and threats from dissident heretical movements. Apostolic Preaching is one of only two writings to survive that are attributed to Irenaeus. He is the first Christian post-biblical to center his theology on the image of God from Genesis 1.26-27. God creates people in his image, bestowing on us intrinsic worth and dignity. This image was shattered by “the fall,” a consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience (Genesis 3). God sent Jesus Christ (who is the image of God) to restore humanity to the image and reconcile people back into union with God. Irenaeus’ focus on the image of God was problematic for Gnostics, who couldn’t reconcile God coming in the corruption of human flesh and thereby denied the incarnation. The respectful tone of Irenaeus’ treatise is as impressive as his groundbreaking theology. Irenaeus practiced the golden rule in writing about controversial subjects, which is to treat people the way you want to be treated (fairly and accurately). Irenaeus leads us to pray:
Irenaeus of Lyons
O lamb of God,who takes away the sin of the world,
look upon us
and have mercy on us,
You, who are both Victim and Priest,
You who are both Reward and Redeemer.
Keep safe from all evil
those whom you have redeemed,
O Savior of the world!
Amen.
Thomas G. Weinandy, “St. Irenaeus and the Imago Dei.”
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.