Irenaeus was a second-century follower of Jesus known for his writings against heresy and for his summary of teachings handed down from the Apostles.
Tutored by the martyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who in turn was taught by the Apostle John, Irenaeus is important because of the way he used both Old and New Testament writings before they were collected and finalized in the form we now have them.
Interestingly, Irenaeus sounds a lot like many of us today who try to ground our thoughts in the Word of God. There is, however, a difference. While we might use the Word as a synonym for the Bible, Irenaeus repeatedly speaks of the Word as a reference to or about Jesus.
Seems to me that honoring the Scriptures as a witness to the Word, and as a means of our faith— rather than the end, might be a refreshing way to echo an ancient practice.
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Yes Mart academia(gaining knowledge) is way different than getting to KNOW someone. I have seen that the bible is only a means to get to know our God which seems to be why Jesus used the scriptures of the OT to point us to Himself through the witness of those who came before us and Jesus knew that only with the help of the Holy Spirit could we put those puzzle pieces together to learn about the Word(Jesus). Luke 24:27 NLT;
Luke 24: Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.
The words of scripture bring Glory to the Word. John was a witness to the Word and wrote; In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
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He existed in the beginning with God.
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God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
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The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone……
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John 16 13However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you. 15Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you.…
Irenaeus seemed to use the scriptures to identify heresy and to bring Glory to the One they were written about. Not to boast in academia (knowledge) but as a means of our faith.