Irenaeus of Lyons · Early Christian theology and polemic · c. 180–190
The surviving works and fragments of a second-century Christian writer, above all Against Heresies, defending the apostolic faith against Gnostic systems through sustained appeals to Scripture, creation, incarnation, resurrection, and the unity of God's purpose.
View recommendation →Hippolytus · Exposition, prophecy, and polemic · early third century
…of Daniel, the Antichrist, Christ's return, and the future kingdom. His Refutation of All Heresies also records and challenges many competing teachings. Together the writings offer a high view of Scripture, vigorous rebuttal, a clear premillennial witness, and repeated concern th…
View recommendation →Samuel G. Green · Historical survey · 1904
A comprehensive history from the apostolic age to the eve of the Reformation, covering the Church's expansion, persecution, doctrinal conflicts, councils, writers, divisions, monastic movements, missions, the papacy, the Crusades, and movements for reform.
View recommendation →Why the final seven is unfinished, future, and centred upon Israel and Jerusalem
…a three-and-a-half-year reign, a temple setting, and Christ's subsequent coming (Against Heresies, V.25 and V.30). In the early third century, Hippolytus explicitly called Daniel's remaining week "the last week" at the end of the world and correlated its two halves with Revelati…
Read article →What the historical evidence proves—and what it does not
…ainst Marcion, V.15 Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 41-42 Irenaeus, Against Heresies, V.29 Victorinus of Pettau, Commentary on the Apocalypse The Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 4 Pseudo-Ephraem, On the Last Times, the Antichrist, and the End of the World Morgan Edwards,…
Read article →The crucifixion in history, Scripture and the Qur'an
…d in His place, while Jesus assumes Simon's appearance, stands nearby and laughs (Against Heresies 1.24.4). The Second Treatise of the Great Seth, preserved in the Nag Hammadi library and commonly dated to the late second or third century, also separates the heavenly Saviour from…
Read article →A history of interpretation, polemic, and forgotten tension
…25 Origen, Against Celsus, Book IV, chapter 22; and Book VI, chapter 80 Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V, chapter 35 John Chrysostom, Against the Jews, Homily I Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture XV Augustine, The City of God, Book XVIII, especially chapter 46; and Book X…
Read article →Which Gospel does the Qur'an affirm?
…eans, chapters 1-3, on Christ's real suffering, death and resurrection. Irenaeus, Against Heresies 1.26.2 and 3.15, on the Ebionites' use of Matthew and rejection of Paul. These hostile reports must be used critically rather than treated as surviving Ebionite testimony. Edmon L.…
Read article →