WAS IRENAEUS INFLUENCED BY THOSE HE SPENT SO MUCH TIME WRITING ABOUT?

Was Irenaeus Christology influenced by the Gnostics?

Notice his quotation of Valentinius a prominent Gnostic and Christian Apostate concept of “...that which is begotten ( of ) God, - is – God...”

(IRENAEUS-QUOTING-VALENTINIUS c. 130-200 C.E.): “...therefore said he [=Valentinius]...by way of inference ; for that which is begotten of God, is God...” - (Page 28 Gnostic interpretation of the Prolouge of St. John's Gospel. Valentinian perversion of the Holy Scriptures characterized. Five books of S. Irenaeus bishop of Lyons, against heresies. Translated by the Rev. John Keble, with the fragments that remain of his other works. Published 1872 by J. Parker in Oxford.)

Now compare this with Irenaeus personal theology:

(IRENAEUS c. 130-200 C.E.): “...Therefore, the Father is Lord and the Son is Lord, and the Father is God and the Son is God, since he who is born of God is God, and in this way, according to His being and power and essence, one God is demonstrated: but according to the economy of our salvation, there is both Father and Son...." (On the Apostolic Preaching 2:1:47)

Did Irenaeus adopt this view from Valentinius?

What do you think?

Food for thought.