"La Iglesia, vaso siempre joven del Espíritu de Dios" (Adv. haer. III, 24, 1). Reflexiones sobre el núcleo articulador de la eclesiología de San Ireneo de Lyon

Abstract

The author presents the articulating nucleus of the ecclesiology of St. Irenaeus. In the context of Gnostic theology that denies the goodness of creation, and particularly of human (flesh) corporality, Irenaeus presents an ecclesiology that is a consequence of his Christology and his anthropology, which values man as much in his corporality as in the reality of the Incarnation. As a consequence, Irenaeus' ecclesiology is founded upon the goodness of the ecclesial institution that is an instrument of the Spirit. The Spirit of Christ makes itself present through charisms and through the apostolic succession, that transmit the authentic communication of Christ. In synthesis, it is an ecclesiology of the Spirit incamated in the structure of the Church, Spirit that makes this same Church worthy of trust and faithful to the message and person of Jesus Christ.