Unquestionably, the discoveries at Nag Hammadi have opened up new vistas on Christian Gnosticism that move somewhat beyond the portrayal Irenaeus drew in Against Heresies. Even so, contemporary scholars recognize that Irenaeus had carefully sought out information about Gnosticism and presented it as it could be known in his day.15 This is worth highlighting as we get ready to consider what Irenaeus set forth about Gnostic teaching. It is important for readers to recognize that Irenaeus was not seeking