POST-CHRISTIAN GNOSTICS: VALENTINUS
Early Ophites probably uneducated—General softening of manners under
Julian Emperors and development of morality—Change in ethical ideals of
Gnosticism probably starts in Alexandria—Doctrines of Saturninus and
Basilides—Basilides’ system never intended for public use and probably
merges in that of Valentinus—Links with Simon Magus and Ophites—Success
of Valentinus’ teaching and abuse of him by Fathers—Valentinus’
theology: Bythos either bi-sexual or makes syzygy with Sigê—Emanation of
Ogdoad—Valentinus’ statements as to this possibly metaphors—Emanation of
Decad and Dodecad—Names of Aeons and their explanation—Sophia and her
Fall in Valentinus’ system—Her Ectroma and emanation of Christos, the
Holy Spirit, and the Cross—Sophia Without and Jesus the Joint Fruit of
the Pleroma—Formation of worlds from passions of Sophia Without and
their rulers—The different natures of men and demons—The Heavenly
Banquet—Valentinus’ predestinarian views contrasted with
Ophites’—Salvation of Psychics by Jesus—-Valentinus’ account of
Crucifixion doubtful—Life of Valentinus—His successors—Italic School:
Ptolemy, Secundus, and Heracleon—Anatolic School: Axionicus, Bardesanes,
Theodotus, and Alexander—Life of Bardesanes and his Hymns—Valentinus’
innovations on Christianity and attitude of early Fathers towards
them—His use of metaphor and “God is Love”—Exegesis of Valentinus and
his followers and his pastoral attitude—Did Valentinus ever attempt to
break with Church or to found secret sect?—Valentinus’ compliance with
heathenism attracts rich and learned—Dangers of this for
Church—Proceedings of Marcus—-Spread of sect after Valentinus’
death—Ptolemy’s letter to Flora—Egypt natural home of sect—Its
Decay—Half-way house between earlier Gnosticism and Catholicism 83-133