Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
We are very excited to finally present this episode on St. Irenaeus of Lyon, the great 2nd century Church Father (one generation removed from the Apostles) who did so much to help me convert from protestantism to the Catholic Faith.
Specifically, we dive into everything he said in his great work, "Against Heresies" (written around AD 180) about the Catholic doctrine of Apostolic Succession, which says that the one true Church is governed by the successors of the Apostles, the bishops, and preeminently the successor of St. Peter, the Pope in Rome. St. Irenaeus even describes, in proto form, the infallibility of the Church, and how the Holy Spirit will always guide the Church into all truth through the successors of the Apostles.
Suffice it to say, St. Irenaeus's testimony was absolutely shocking to me as a protestant, and played a huge role in my conversion to the Catholic Faith. So much of what he said about the Church's teaching remains true in the Catholic Church to this day. Likewise, much that he said about heretics and schismatics is "disturbingly similar" to protestantism to this very day.
HOLIDAY GIVING OPPORTINITY FOR MONTHLY PATRONS
youtube.com/watch?v=FbIqyA4z6XY
BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION
Has our content blessed you or those you love? Then please consider becoming a monthly patron for $10/month or more.
➡️ eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron
This apostolate is a non-profit under priestly authority, and all your gifts are tax-deductible. Your generosity makes it possible for us to produce our podcast, research, and written content with excellence, while making it available to the world for free, all for the salvation of souls. It also empowers us to work on even bigger projects behind the scenes (stay tuned).
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
➡️ eternalchristendom.com
CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
X: twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles
Facebook: facebook.com/joshuatcharles
Instagram: instagram.com/joshuatcharles
DIVE DEEPER
Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic:
➡️ eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic
SUBSTACK
Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content:
➡️ eternalchristendom.substack.com
EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS
➡️ eternalchristendom.com/bookstore
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
06:08 - Historical Context
07:36 - Preface and Book 1 (Against Heresies)
12:07 - Book 3 (Against Heresies)
36:25 - Eternal Christendom Bookstore
36:51 - Book 4 (Against Heresies)
52:19 - Book 5 (Against Heresies)
01:02:45 - Conclusion
This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
We are very excited to finally present this episode on St. Irenaeus of Lyon, the great 2nd century Church Father (one generation removed from the Apostles) who did so much to help me convert from protestantism to the Catholic Faith.
Specifically, we dive into everything he said in his great work, "Against Heresies" (written around AD 180) about the Catholic doctrine of Apostolic Succession, which says that the one true Church is governed by the successors of the Apostles, the bishops, and preeminently the successor of St. Peter, the Pope in Rome. St. Irenaeus even describes, in proto form, the infallibility of the Church, and how the Holy Spirit will always guide the Church into all truth through the successors of the Apostles.
Suffice it to say, St. Irenaeus's testimony was absolutely shocking to me as a protestant, and played a huge role in my conversion to the Catholic Faith. So much of what he said about the Church's teaching remains true in the Catholic Church to this day. Likewise, much that he said about heretics and schismatics is "disturbingly similar" to protestantism to this very day.
HOLIDAY GIVING OPPORTINITY FOR MONTHLY PATRONS
youtube.com/watch?v=FbIqyA4z6XY
BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION
Has our content blessed you or those you love? Then please consider becoming a monthly patron for $10/month or more.
➡️ eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron
This apostolate is a non-profit under priestly authority, and all your gifts are tax-deductible. Your generosity makes it possible for us to produce our podcast, research, and written content with excellence, while making it available to the world for free, all for the salvation of souls. It also empowers us to work on even bigger projects behind the scenes (stay tuned).
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
➡️ eternalchristendom.com
CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
X: twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles
Facebook: facebook.com/joshuatcharles
Instagram: instagram.com/joshuatcharles
DIVE DEEPER
Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic:
➡️ eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic
SUBSTACK
Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content:
➡️ eternalchristendom.substack.com
EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS
➡️ eternalchristendom.com/bookstore
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
06:08 - Historical Context
07:36 - Preface and Book 1 (Against Heresies)
12:07 - Book 3 (Against Heresies)
36:25 - Eternal Christendom Bookstore
36:51 - Book 4 (Against Heresies)
52:19 - Book 5 (Against Heresies)
01:02:45 - Conclusion
This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
