The Authority of Luke's Writings: Irenaeus' Defense of Paul

Irenaeus, in his writings, strongly defends the authority of Luke's Gospel and the Book of Acts, particularly in relation to the Apostle Paul. He confronts those who reject Paul's apostleship by arguing that doing so necessitates rejecting significant portions of the Gospel narrative that are uniquely found in Luke's writings. This stance highlights the interconnectedness of the New Testament texts and the importance of accepting the witness of Luke as a whole.

Luke's Testimony and the Rejection of Paul

Irenaeus addresses those who "do not recognise Paul as an apostle" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). He argues that if one rejects Paul, they must logically "reject the other words of the Gospel which we have come to know through Luke alone, and not make use of them" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). This suggests that certain key narratives or teachings within the Gospel of Luke were being questioned by some groups who sought to undermine Paul's authority.

The Divine Call of Paul

Irenaeus emphasizes the divine origin of Paul's apostleship as recorded by Luke. He cites the Lord's initial address to Paul from heaven, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? I am Jesus Christ, whom thou persecutest" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt), as well as the subsequent instructions given to Ananias regarding Paul's mission: "Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name among the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him, from this time, how great things he must suffer for My name's sake" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). By highlighting these passages, Irenaeus underscores that Paul's calling was not self-appointed but divinely ordained.

The Integrity of Luke's Account

Irenaeus defends Luke's integrity as a historian and theologian, stating that those who reject Paul "cannot prove Luke guilty of falsehood, when he proclaims the truth to us with all diligence" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). He implies that Luke's Gospel and Acts were widely accepted as truthful accounts, and to deny Paul's apostleship would require discrediting Luke's entire narrative. Irenaeus suggests that God intentionally used Luke to reveal "very many Gospel truths" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt) so that people might follow his testimony and the "unadulterated rule of truth" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt) and be saved.

Exposing Hypocrisy

Irenaeus contrasts the openness of the apostles' teachings with the secretive practices of groups like the Valentinians. He accuses them of using deceptive language to "entrap the more simple" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt) and of holding private doctrines that contradicted their public pronouncements. In contrast, he affirms that "the doctrine of the apostles is open and stedfast, holding nothing in reserve; nor did they teach one set of doctrines in private, and another in public" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). This underscores Irenaeus' commitment to a transparent and consistent faith, grounded in the teachings of the apostles as recorded by Luke.

Conclusion

Irenaeus' defense of Luke's writings demonstrates the early Church's high regard for the Gospels and the Book of Acts as reliable sources of theological truth and historical information. His argument that rejecting Paul necessitates rejecting parts of Luke's Gospel underscores the interconnectedness of the New Testament canon and the importance of accepting the witness of the apostles as a unified whole. His exposure of the hypocrisy of secret teachings reinforces the value of transparency and consistency in Christian doctrine.