Irenaeus of Lyons

In this episode we welcome church historian Stephen O. Presley to explore the life, theology, and enduring relevance of Irenaeus of Lyons. Writing in the latter half of the second century, Irenaeus emerges not merely as a polemicist against Gnosticism but as a deeply pastoral theologian—one whose doctrine, biblical interpretation, and ecclesial commitments were inseparably bound to the life of the church.

Presley highlights Irenaeus’s vision of Scripture as a unified, Christ-centered story, summed up in his doctrine of recapitulation: All things find their meaning, coherence, and redemption in Christ, the true head of humanity. Against both ancient Gnosticism and modern disembodied spiritualities, Irenaeus affirms the goodness of creation, the integrity of the human person, and the necessity of catechesis rooted in the rule of faith. For today’s church—navigating doctrinal confusion, cultural fragmentation, and questions of discipleship—Irenaeus offers a compelling model of theological method that is biblical, confessional, pastoral, and profoundly Christ-centered.

Dr. Stephen O. Presley is Director of Education and Engagement and Senior Fellow for Religion and Public Life at the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy and Associate Professor of Church History at Southern Seminary. He is the author of Irenaeus of Lyons: His Impact and Life (Christian Focus) and Cultural Sanctification: Engaging the World like the Early Church (Eerdmans).

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Chapters

• 00:07 Introduction
• 01:47 The Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy
• 04:48 How to Pronounce Irenaeus
• 08:48 The Early Church
• 13:31 Irenaeus as a Church Theologian
• 16:00 The Rule of Faith
• 20:36 Reading Scripture
• 26:11 Recapitulation
• 30:18 Against Gnosticism
• 33:38 Christ as the New Adam
• 44:07 Surprises While Writing the Book
• 46:39 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Stephen Presley