c. 155 – 325 AD

Irenaeus of Lyons

c. 130 – 202 AD

Lyons, France (born in Smyrna)

Overview

Student of Polycarp who moved to Gaul. His work Against Heresies is the definitive attack on Gnosticism.

First to explicitly identify the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) as the only canonical ones.

A massive refutation of Gnosticism.

A handbook of Christian doctrine and proof from prophecy.

The "Apologists" and early theologians living under persecution before the Council of Nicaea.

7 Church Fathers in this era

Part of The Ante-Nicene Fathers