2.9 St Iraneus' writings on Jesus

1. The Importance of the Incarnation:

• St Irenaeus taught that the incarnation (God becoming human in the form of Jesus) was vital for bringing God and humans closer.

• Through Jesus, who is both fully God and fully human, people can understand and connect with God

2. Jesus: The Glory of God:

• St Irenaeus famously said, "The glory of God is a human being, fully alive."

  • This means that Jesus, being fully human and perfectly following God’s will, is the ultimate example of God's glory.

  • Jesus shows all the qualities God wants people to have, making him the perfect human and a guide for Christians.

  • By following Jesus’ example, Christians can also become more fully alive and share in God's glory.

3. St Irenaeus' Teachings on Jesus (Adversus haereses):

• In his work Adversus haereses (Against Heresies), St Irenaeus emphasised that:

  • Jesus is the meeting point between God and humanity.

  • Jesus, being both fully divine and fully human, helps reveal God’s nature to humans.

  • God is invisible and beyond human understanding, but through Jesus, Christians can see God's qualities and better understand Him.

4. Jesus Reveals God to Humans:

• Jesus is the Son of God and, through his life and actions, reveals what God is like.

• By examining Jesus' life, Christians develop a deeper understanding of God’s nature.

5. Living Fully Alive:

• St Irenaeus' idea that "Life in man is the glory of God" means that by following Jesus and becoming more open to God, all people can become fully alive.

• This allows Christians to reflect God's glory in their own lives by living according to God’s will.

6. Summary:

• The incarnation is key because it helps humans come to know God through Jesus.

• Jesus sets the perfect example for Christians to follow, allowing them to become more fully alive and share in God’s glory.