This title was first published in 2002. The theology of Irenaeus, and the Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching in particular, is pivotal in showing the way in which the fathers of the church interpreted scripture and distilled doctrine. The Demonstration is an important hinge showing how the doctrine of the fourth century with its definitive councils and definitions of faith, opens out from the new testament apostolic and evangelical witness. Presenting the full translation of the Demonstration of Irenaeus by Dean Armitage Robinson, this book offers a detailed theological commentary by Canon Iain MacKenzie on this foundational doctrinal text. MacKenzie sets out the main theological themes throughout Irenaeus' work, and explores his method of systematic theology, Athanasius's dependence on Irenaeus, and Irenaeus' influence on doctrine in the fourth century - particularly the works of Athanasius, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa. Highlighting the importance of this second century theologian for theology today, this commentary and theological interpretation offers an incentive to study Irenaeus in the wider development of Christian doctrine as a cardinal figure in the appreciation of systematic theology. 'Irenaeus' Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching' is one of the most significant works on Christian theology between the Apostles themselves and the great Athanasius. The account of this work by Canon MacKenzie does it full justice, and supplies a very sensitive, theologically faithful, and enlightening exposition of a work that more than any other bridges the relation between the teaching of the Apostles themselves and that of Athanasius the Great. This book is very readable for those in the parish ministry and for theologians, and should be of particular help in initiating young scholars into Greek Patristic thought of the Early Church.' The Very Revd Professor T.F.Torrance '... a welcome addition to recent Irenaean scholarship... Unlike many other 'patristic' approaches to Irenaeus, MacKenzie takes Irenaeus seriously as a theologian in his own right - as one whose truth claims have stood the test of time, and thus as one who can be taken seriously as a contemporary dialogue partner. MacKenzie takes us forward in many ways...' International Journal of Systematic Theology '... this book is valuable because it offers a useful commentary and points to two major problems.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History