Basilides

Basilides ( Bασιλίδης ) actually Basileides (* 85 in Syria ();? † ca 145 ) was a gnostic in Alexandria.

Basilides was probably a pupil of Menander, the main representative of the Egyptian ( Alexandrian ) Gnosis and was called by Christians the heresiarch (ruler of the false teachers ). He taught around 130-140 AD in Alexandria. After the acta archelei he had worked before his arrival in Alexandria in Persia. He was a prolific writer; his works include a book of Psalms, several odes, a Bible Commentary in 24 volumes - called Exegetica - and a treatise, which was (probably wrongly ) called "gospel". Almost none of it has been preserved.

From his teachings we have only fragments in the " Stromateis " of Clement of Alexandria, and two representations of Irenaeus of Lyon and of Hippolytus - so only disfiguring refutations ( Irenaeus about words: " Basileides expands its lesson from infinity to the appearance greater depth and credibility to awaken. "). He processed various Christian-Jewish, Persian and Neoplatonic traditions to a world view of moral earnestness and impressive unity.

It is emanatistisch with clear dualistic basis: Basilides went by the existence of both ancient principles of light and darkness. When they became aware of each other, the light turned off, but the darkness gained control over the reflexes of light, colors and shadows; these our imperfect world could arise. This creation myth is a further development of the Persian Ahura Mazda, Ahriman cosmology. But Basilides worked a Neo-Platonic elements, especially the dualism between spirit and matter, soul and body.

According to Irenaeus first emanated from the supreme deity, the " unoriginate Father," ( according to the number of planets) seven divine powers, four of the intellectual:

They represent the first spirit realm. From this are gradually decreasing clarity 364 more realm of the spirits, each to seven " eons " emerged. The entire realm of the spirits are summarized in the secret word Abraxas or Abrasax, which has the numerical value 365. The seven aeons of the lowest heaven circle are the creator of the world. The original mixture of the divine and material elements and thus the evil was a result of this creation, the divorce these elements, the task of redemption.

That is why the " ungewordene Father" sent his firstborn, nous, of Jesus the most perfect people, united, but do not let yourself be crucified, but the Simon of Cyrene substituted and returned to the Pleroma. One must not, therefore, in the crucified, but rather to Nous, the eternal Spirit, believe that is only apparently died on the cross. ( Docetism )

In this created world of darkness, there is not a completely sinless beings; even Jesus is to be baptized not free from sin and must. For this reason was for his followers, who Basilidians, the Feast of the Baptism of the Saviour, the most important festivity of the year ( January, about 6 ).

His successor was his son Isidore. The numerous followers of Basilides formed until well into the fourth century, in Lower Egypt, a kind of secret society at the magical rites and the knowledge of secret words played a major role. They modified his religious system much under the influence of Stoic philosophy and excited by their ( distorted by their opponents? ) Teaching that the story of Jesus' appearance and the worship of pagan gods was only a matter of indifference in their Christian contemporaries often offense.

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