ABSTRACT
Irenaeus emphasizes God's apportionment of blame concerning the fall, which he does not do later in the Demonstration. So this is examined in the light of the other two emphases. Hence, again for example, the consequences of the fall have to be dealt with in a way that would ensure that 'neither justice should be infringed upon, nor the ancient handiwork of God go to destruction'. First, then, the constancy of God towards humanity. Irenaeus takes care to note consistently throughout his works that after the fall, the Word and Spirit are still present with humanity. The loyalty of God towards humanity is emphasized by the constant repetition throughout Adversus Haereses that creation, and particularly humanity within it, is God's own possession. The whole dispensation of the Word made flesh is the love and constancy of God towards humanity.
