Dimensiunea ecumenică intrinsecă a Evangheliei

Adaptare cultural- lingvistică și motivație biblică la Irineu de Lyon

Abstract

According to Irenaeus’ point of view, the Gospel is endowed with an intrinsic ecumenical dimension, because the teachings of the Gospel had to be preached all around the world. He was convinced of the necessity and the obligation of fulfilling the commandment left by Jesus to his Apostles and apprentices. Accordingly, Irenaeus was convinced of the necessity to evangelize all the people, and this necessity drew its source from the Gospel itself and from its ”divine empowerment”, the final purpose being the redemption of the entire humankind. The aim of the present study is to illustrate the evolution and the complexity of the ecumenical dimension of the Gospel and at the same time the theological evolution of one of the most representative Fathers of the first centuries, Saint Irenaeus of Lyon. He understood perfectly the power of dialogue and of pastoral mission, mission that was directed not only towards the Christians, who at that time were somewhat confused by the multitude of doctrines, but also towards the pagans to whom he presents the message of the Gospel about the love of Jesus Christ.