Irenaeus of Lyons

by Eric Osborn

Overview

Eric Osborn's book presents a major study of Irenaeus (125-200), bishop of Lyons, who attacked Gnostic theosophy with positive ideas as well as negative critiques. Irenaeus's combination of argument and imagery, logic and aesthetic, was directed to a new document, the Christian bible. Dominated by a Socratic love of truth and a classical love of beauty, he was a founder of Western humanism. Irenaeus is renowned for his aphorisms, optimism, love of the created world, evolutionary view of history, and theology of beauty and humor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521800068
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/04/2001
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.10(d)
Lexile:	1300L (what's this?)

About the Author

Eric Osborn is Honorary Professor at the Department of History, La Trobe University and Professorial Fellow at the Department of Fine Arts, Classical Studies and Archaeology, University of Melbourne. His books include Beginning Christian Philosophy (Cambridge, 1981), The Emergence of Christian Theology (Cambridge, 1993), and Tertullian, First Theologian of the West (Cambridge, 1997).

Table of Contents

1. Irenaeus: argument and imagery; Part I. Divine Intellect: 2. One God: intellect and love; Part II. Economy: 3. One creator: ut sapiens architectus et maximus rex; 4. Economy: God as architect of our time; Part III. Recapitulation: 5. Recapitulation: correction and perfection; 6. Recapitulation: inauguration and consummation; Part IV. Participation: 7. Logic and the rule of truth: participation in truth; 8. Scripture as mind and will of God: participation in truth; 9. Aesthetics: participation in beauty; 10. Human growth from creation to resurrection: participation in life; 11. Goodness and truth: ethics of participation; Part V. Conclusion: 12. The glory of God and Man.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"An intensively argued study of Irenaeus...It will prove rewarding to any student concerned with questions about how and why Christian theology arose." The Journal of Religion, Robert M. Grant

"Osborn brings to his treatment of this seminal figure [Irenaeus] the depth of his knowledge acquired through many years studying the second century, to produce a thoughtful, comprehensive study that has much to offer both students of early Christianity and contemporary Christians...This volume is sure to become a standard work on Irenaeus. It is clearly and engagingly presented, comprehensive and insightful, the kind of work which can only be written after many years of serious study of the field." St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly

Editorial Reviews

"An intensively argued study of Irenaeus...It will prove rewarding to any student concerned with questions about how and why Christian theology arose." The Journal of Religion, Robert M. Grant

"Osborn brings to his treatment of this seminal figure [Irenaeus] the depth of his knowledge acquired through many years studying the second century, to produce a thoughtful, comprehensive study that has much to offer both students of early Christianity and contemporary Christians...This volume is sure to become a standard work on Irenaeus. It is clearly and engagingly presented, comprehensive and insightful, the kind of work which can only be written after many years of serious study of the field." St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly

From the Publisher