Subject Index
Subject Index
Abraham
on God, 90, 93–94
God, promise from, 190–91
prophet of faith, 119
Adam, 168–70, 169–70, 172–73
death of, 177
first, 18–19, 80–81, 169
punishment of, 81
repentance of, 82
second, 78, 169
spiritual vs. natural, 157
aeons, as Gnostic pattern, 7–8
Against Heresies
assault on Gnosticism, 20–22
as defense of Christian faith, 20
significance of, 19–24
structure of, 24–26
Anacletus, bishop of Rome, 3–4, 57
Antichrist, 71, 186, 188–89. See also devil; Satan
resurrection and, 193
Satan and, 178, 180
satanic apostasy, 178
satanic error, 180
Apocalypse, 181, 185–86, 193–94
apostate angel, devil as, 178
apostles
doctrine of knowledge, 135
gospels of, 65–66
heretics and, 171–72
on the Son of God, 67
teachings of, 56, 69
tradition of, 57–60
on two testaments, 132
as voice of the Church, 67–68
apostolic succession, Irenaeus on, 14–15
apostolic tradition, 21
Gnostic teaching and, 15–17
Irenaeus on, 14
arche, 30
Gnostic pattern, 7–8
baptism
and being born again, 47–48, 47n4
heretics and, 35
of Jesus Christ, 63, 69
rule of truth received at, 15, 31
Basilides, 12, 13n34, 37
bishop of church in Smyrna, Polycarp as, 58–59
bishop of Rome
Anacletus, 3–4, 57
Clement, 57–58
Eleutherus, 2
Linus, 57
Victor, 3
Bishop Pothinus, 2
blood, 166–67
blood and flesh, substance of, 165–67
body, as God’s temple, 160–63
carnal people, Gnosticism, category of, 6–7
Carpocrates, 12, 37–38
Cerinthus, 12, 38, 59
Christ. See Jesus Christ
Christian Faith
apostles’ teaching of, 55–84
Christ, words spoken by, 85–154
Christ and apostles’ teachings, 155–94
Christian faith, Against Heresies as defense of, 20
Christianity
Gnostics and, 8–13, 11–12
Irenaeus of Lyons, presentation by, 13–20
normative, 22–23
threat from Gnosticism, 4
Church
apostles, voices of, 67–68
on Christ, 32
on miracles for humanity, 52–53
on one God, 32
pillars of, 65
on points of doctrine, 32–33
church at Corinth, conflict within, 58
church in Rome, letter to the Corinthians, 58
circumcision
covenant of, 69
as a sign of righteousness, 104–5
Clement, bishop of Rome, 57–58
Colossians, Letter to, 5, 166
commandments, 98–101
complete knowledge, 56
Corinthians, Letter to, 58
covenants, 66, 69, 73–74
creation, 42–43, 46, 186
Gnostic teaching on, 10–11, 44
order of, 170–71
crucifixion, of Jesus Christ, 78–81
Daniel, visions of, 179, 180–82
David
on obedience, 109
on the Word of God, 62–63
Demiurge, 7–8, 10–11
devil, 92, 153, 174–75, 183. See also Antichrist; Satan; serpent
angels of, 152–53
as apostate angel, 178
as liar, 176, 177
disobedience, 73–74, 79, 151, 169, 171
Ebionites, 133–34
Eleutherus, bishop of Rome, 2
Ephesians, Letter to, 158, 161, 178
eternal life, 53
Eucharist, 111–12, 158
Eve, 19
comparison to Mary, 80, 171
punishment of, 81
virginal disobedience of, 171
First Letter to the Thessalonians, 160
flesh and blood, substance of, 165–67
fleshly people, Gnosticism, category of, 6–7
furnace of fire, 152
Galatians, Letter to, 80, 163, 172–73, 191
Gnosis, 56
Gnosticism, xiv
categories of, 6–7
fleshly people, category of, 6–7
general pattern of, 6–8
Against Heresies as assault on, 20–22
numbers and letters as knowledge, x, 7–8
opposition to, 4–6
threat to Christianity, 4
Gnostics. See also heretics; knowers
apostolic tradition and, 15–17
apostolic tradition of, 15–17
on Christ, 11–13
on Christianity, 11–12
Gnostics (cont.)
Christianity of, 8–13
on complete knowledge, 56
on creation, 10–11, 44
disunity among, 41–54
on God of creation, 10–11
on God of salvation, 11
on God’s power, 42–43
heresy, views on exposing, 27–39
letters fascination, 34
manuscripts at Nag Hammadi, 6
numbers fascination, 34
as plagiarists, 45–45
on prophecies, 53
on redemption, 35
on Scripture, 17
as spiritual or intellectual, 7
teacher of, 12–13
teaching on creation, 44
writings, 35, 35n6
God
on Abraham, 90, 93–94
benefits to humanity, 101–3
communion with, 183–84
comprehension of, 48–49, 112–18
in contrast to humans, 98–99
of creation, Gnostics on, 10–11
as Demiurge, 10–11
heretics on, 87, 91, 159
humanity, in contrast to, 98–99
humanity, purpose of, 76–77
humanity’s relationship with, 105–6
humankind, work as, 167–68
law as commandment of, 175
plan for salvation, 76, 77, 79, 81, 102–4, 110
power in weakness, 159
promise to Abraham, 190–91
of salvation, Gnostics on, 11
separation from, 183–84
God of the Jews
Jesus and, 11, 36
Saturninus on, 36
heresy, Gnostic views, exposing, 27–39
heretics. See also Gnostics
on animal people, 29
apostles and, 171–72
baptism and, 35
beliefs of, 56
on Christ, 29
condemnation of, 34
disagreements among, 142
doctrine of, 70–71
false teachings of, 70
on formation of the universe, 28
on God, 87, 91, 159
incorruptibility and, 74, 158, 159
Jerusalem and the Lord, on, 87–88
John on teachings, 64–65
Pleroma, 28, 30
on prophecy, 114–15
on redemption, 35
on rule of truth, 68
salvation and, 74, 85–86, 134, 157–58, 171–72
Satan and, 35
satanic spirit of, 182–83
on the savior, 28
Scriptures and, 56–57
on spiritual people, 28–29, 30
tradition of the apostles and, 57
on types of people, 29–30
universe, formation of, 28
on Word of God, 65
writings of, 35, 35n6
human being, definition of, 159–60
human will, independence of, 146–47
humanity
the Church on miracles for, 52–53
in contrast to God, 98–99
enemy of, 73–74
God’s purpose of, 76–77
goodness of, 147–49
of Jesus Christ, 70–72, 74–77
humanity (cont.)
relationship with God, 105–6
on seeing God, 115–16
humankind
covenants of, 66
as God’s work, 167–68
human rules, in fear of, 177–78
prophets on covenants with, 138, 140–41
temptation of, 174–75
immortality, 74, 150, 165
incorruption, 61, 71, 150, 151, 161
as benefit of faith, 83, 91, 102, 115, 123, 175
as gift from the Lord, 76
heretics and, 74, 158, 159
passion of Jesus and, 47
as salvation of the flesh, 164–65
Irenaeus of Lyons
on apostolic succession, 14–15
on apostolic tradition, 14
on Aristotle’s dialectic, 24–25
Christianity, presentation of, 13–20
Against Heresies, ix–xiv
life of, 1–4
normative Christianity and, 22–23
One Lord, One Faith, One History, 17–18
on oneness of God, 13
Polycarp of Smyrna as mentor, 1–2
recapitulation, 18–19
A Refutation and Subversion of What Is Falsely Called Knowledge, ixn2, 2–3
on Scripture, 15
Isaac, 119–20
Jacob, 120–21
Jesus Christ
baptism of, 63, 69
birth of, 63–64, 71–72
the Church on, 32
crucifixion of, 78–81
death of, 68, 72–73, 78–81, 126
Gnostics on, 11–13
God of the Jews and, 11, 36
heretics on, 29
as human, 91–93, 157–58, 168–69
as incarnate, 13–14, 16, 18, 63, 70–72, 74–77
Jews and, 67–69, 86, 90, 96–97, 123, 128
John the Baptist on, 88
passion of, and incorruption, 47
Paul on, 68, 72–73
prophets on, 136–38
recapitulation in, 18–19
resurrection, 3–4, 89–90, 189–90
as salvation, 60, 61, 63–64, 68, 70–72, 74, 96–97
salvation as recapitulation in, 18–19
Jews, 120, 132–33
God of, 11, 36, 37
Jesus Christ and, 67–69, 86, 90, 96–97, 123, 128
laws of, 103
oblations by, 110
Paul on teaching, 122
John, 30
on the Apocalypse, 185–86, 193–94
Cerinthus and, 59
condemnation of heretics, 34
on generation from the Father, 65–66
on heretical teachings, 64–65
teachings of, 56
John the Baptist on Christ, 88, 93
Joseph, on Mary’s pregnancy, 121–22
knowers, 6, 8, 9–10. See also Gnostics
knowledge, 7–8
as doctrine of the apostles, 135
God, incomprehension of, 48, 112–18
knowledge, doctrine of
apostles, 135
law
of bondage, 106
as commandment of God, 175
as course of discipline, 103
of human liberty, 145–53
Mosaic, 69, 88
Letter to the Colossians, 5, 166
Letter to the Corinthians, 58
Letter to the Ephesians, 158, 161, 178
Letter to the Galatians, 80, 163, 172–73, 191
Letter to the Philippians, 25, 59
Letter to the Romans, 80, 119–20, 167, 190
Letter to the Thessalonians (first), 160
Letter to the Thessalonians (second), 179
Linus, bishop of Rome, 57
Lot, 143–44
Luke
on birth of Christ, 64
gospels and, 69–70
teachings of, 56
lust of the flesh, 161–64
Magus, Simon, 12, 35, 36n8, 39, 55
Marcion of Pontus, 38–39
on the Lord, 133
Polycarp and, 59
on righteousness, 99–100
Mark, teachings of, 56, 66, 90
Martyr, Justin, 2, 18
Mary, 19
comparison to Eve, 80, 171
pregnancy of, 121–22
virgin birth, 78–79
virginal obedience, 171
Matthew
on birth of Christ, 63–64
teachings of, 56
Melito of Sardis, 18
Mosaic law, 69, 88
Moses
on humanity’s relationship with God, 105–6
on seeing God, 117–18
writings of, 86
Nag Hammadi, 6, 9, 35n6
Noah, 143–44
nonbelievers, punishment of, 128–30
normative Christianity, Ireneaus and, 22–23
Nous, 37, 45
obedience, 73–74, 106, 109, 169
oblations, 110–11. See also sacrifices
parables, interpretation of, 48–49
paradise, 83
Paul
as apostle to the Gentiles, 122–23
condemnation of heretics, 34
on Jesus’ death, 68, 72–73
Letter to the Colossians, 5, 166
Letter to the Ephesians, 158, 161, 178
Letter to the Galatians, 80, 163, 172–73, 191
Letter to the Romans, 80, 167, 190
Letter to the Thessalonians (First), 160
Letter to the Thessalonians (Second), 179
Paul (cont.)
on salvation, 72
on teaching the Jews, 122
teachings of, 56
on transgressors, 126–27
Peter, 13n34
on God to Cornelius, 68
teachings of, 56
Philip, the eunuch of the Ethiopians’ queen, and, 122
Philippians, letter from Polycarp, 25, 59
Photius, 3
Pleroma, 7–8, 30
Polycarp of Smyrna, 3–4
as bishop of church in Smyrna, 58–59
Ireneaus and, 1–2
letter to the Philippians, 25, 59, 59n5
Marcion and, 59
teachings of, 58
presbyters, 124–25
prophecy
heretics on, 114–15
prophets, 114–15
on covenant with humankind, 138, 140–41
on the Lord, 136–38
predictions of, 135–36
on second coming, 136, 139–40
on seeing God, 117–19
proto-orthodoxy, 22–23
Ptolemy, 12, 77–78
recapitulation in Christ, 18–19
redemption, 35
Rahab the harlot, 119
repentance, 75–76, 82
resurrection, 3–4, 89–90, 189–90, 193
Romans, Letter to, 80, 119-120, 167, 190
rule of truth, 15, 31, 35–36, 64, 68
Sabbath, 94–95, 104
sacrifices, 106–9, 107–12. See also oblations
salvation, 92–93, 109–10, 115
Christ as, 60, 61, 63–64, 68, 70–72, 74, 96–97
God’s plan for, 76, 77, 79, 81, 102–4, 110
heretics and, 74, 85–86, 134, 157–58, 171–72
human path to, 73, 83
Isaiah on, 107
Mary, as cause of, 80
Paul on, 72
as recapitulation in Christ, 18–19
sin and, 160–61, 164, 165
tradition and, 96–97
Satan, 37, 38, 182–83. See also Antichrist; devil
agents of, 182
Antichrist and, 178, 180
heretics, satanic spirit of, 182–83
heretics and, 35
humankind, temptation of, 174–75
Saturninus, 12, 36–37
Scripture
Gnostics on, 17
heretics and, 56–57
Irenaeus on, 15
translation of for Ptolemy, 77–78
Second Letter to the Thessalonians, 179
serpent, 82, 172–73. See also devil
Severus, Septimius, 2
Simon of Cyrene, 37
sin, 160–64, 169–70. See also transgressors
salvation and, 160–61, 164, 165
Sodom and Gomorrah, 144
worldly pleasures, warnings against, 86
666 number of the beast, 186, 187–88
Sodom and Gomorrah, 144
spiritual disciples, 132, 134
teleios, Gnostic pattern, 8
The Gospel of Truth, Valentinus followers, 66–67
The Word. See Jesus Christ
Thessalonians (first), Letter to, 160
Thessalonians (second), Letter to, 179
tradition of the apostles, 57–60
transgressors, 126–28, 170. See also sin
universe, formation of, heretics on, 28
Valentinus, 12, 13n34, 41, 60
disciples of, 27–28
followers of, 66–67, 133
teachings of, 55
Victor, bishop of Rome, 3
virgin birth, 78–79
virginal disobedience, 171
virginal obedience, 171
Word of God. See Jesus Christ
worldly pleasures, warnings against, 86