Evidence for Irenaeus’s Familiarity with the Stromata in the Preface to Adversus Haereses

In analyzing the preface of Irenaeus's Adversus Haereses, we uncover significant evidence suggesting that Irenaeus was not only familiar with Clement of Alexandria's Stromata but also engaged with it critically. The nuances in Irenaeus's language and his polemical strategies reflect a direct response to the themes and terminologies employed by Clement. This blog post delves into another key piece of evidence from Irenaeus's preface that further solidifies this connection.

The Metaphor of Naked Deformity and Attractive Dress

In Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus writes:

"Error, indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in an attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced more true than the truth itself."

This passage, rich in metaphor, portrays the gnosis of contemporary Valentinians as an ugly nakedness concealed by a covering. Irenaeus argues that error is never presented openly in its true form to avoid immediate detection. Instead, it is cunningly adorned in an attractive dress (περίβλημα, periblēma), making it appear more convincing than the truth to those who are inexperienced.

The Significance of περίβλημα

The Greek term περίβλημα, meaning "covering," is crucial in understanding Irenaeus’s critique. It is also used in the Septuagint, particularly in Numbers, to refer to purifying garments. This concept of a covering is deeply intertwined with the central motif of Clement’s Stromata. Clement often concludes each book with a reference to the preceding narrative as the pulling back of a cover, the removal of a στρωματεὺς. Thus, Irenaeus’s metaphor of nakedness covered by a garment is a direct allusion to the structure and presentation style of the Stromata.

Clement’s Poikilia and Irenaeus’s Allusion

Jane Heath’s analysis of Clement’s Stromata emphasizes Clement’s use of the term ποικίλος (poikilos), meaning varied or variegated. Clement likens his work to a meadow where flowers bloom poikilically, employing the language of poikilia to describe the experience of engaging with his writings. This varied, colorful approach is evident in Clement’s frequent references to the coat of many colors worn by significant biblical figures such as the high priest, Jesus, and Joseph.

Madelaine Scopello’s identification of a "motif hérésiologique" in Irenaeus highlights the luxurious and colorful garments with which heretics cover themselves. She notes that Hegemonius’s description of Mani’s coat in Acta Archelai aligns with broader heresiological trends in Adversus Haereses. This colorful, attractive clothing is a recurring theme in heresiological literature, evoking comparisons with Persian costumes and the tradition of garments of light, bright, and variegated colors.

The Cultural Milieu of Alexandria

Irenaeus’s reference to his opponents being "craftily decked out in an attractive dress" (πιθανω δε περιβληματι πανούργως κοσμούμενη) likely stems from the cultural and intellectual milieu of Alexandria, where Clement’s language of poikilia was prominent. The use of colorful and ornate imagery to describe the deceptive nature of heretical teachings is a sophisticated rhetorical strategy that draws from Clement’s own stylistic choices in the Stromata.

Conclusion

The metaphor of naked deformity covered by an attractive dress in Irenaeus’s Adversus Haereses is more than just a polemical flourish. It is a pointed allusion to Clement of Alexandria’s Stromata, reflecting Irenaeus’s familiarity with Clement’s work and his deliberate effort to counter its influence. By understanding the nuanced references and cultural context, we gain deeper insights into the intellectual conflicts of early Christianity and the sophisticated rhetorical strategies employed by its key figures. This evidence further supports the argument that Irenaeus was engaging directly with Clement’s Stromata, aiming to undermine its authority and present his own teachings as the true orthodoxy.