The core to Irenaeus’ Rule of Faith was there is “one God, the Father Almighty, who made the heaven and the earth… Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation; and the Holy Spirit” (Against Heresies, I, 10,2).
The importance of the Rule of Faith in proclaiming the tradition of the Apostles is highlighted by Irenaeus declaring;
To Irenaeus this passing down of doctrine “as if she [the Church] possessed only one mouth” (Against Heresies, I, 10,3), was a clear sign of the Holy Spirit keeping that doctrine true.
The importance of the Rule of Faith in proclaiming the tradition of the Apostles is highlighted by Irenaeus declaring;
“…the Church, having received this preaching, and this faith, although scattered throughout the whole world, yet, as if occupying but one house, carefully preserves it” (Against Heresies, I, 10,3).
To Irenaeus this passing down of doctrine “as if she [the Church] possessed only one mouth” (Against Heresies, I, 10,3), was a clear sign of the Holy Spirit keeping that doctrine true.
As I read Irenaeus I was personally challenged to compare my own beliefs and church alongside his Rule of Faith. Could my church (or any contemporary church) be included in Irenaeus’ claim that the Church worldwide was of “one soul and one and the same heart” (Against Heresies, I, 10,3)? It made me wonder how many heretical teachings are coming within the Church today, and how we should be refuting them.
Irenaeus also embraces tradition, which caused me to look at what type of tradition he meant. In many ways ‘tradition’ is seen as an ugly word in the contemporary church, yet the bold importance Irenaeus puts on the apostles tradition of faith encourages me to seek these traditions for my church.
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References
~New Advent website, 2009, accessed 10 August 2009, “Against Heresies”, New Advent, online:
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