Valentinianism

The Valentinianism referred to the view expressed by the students of the Gnostic Valentinus Gnostic- Christian doctrine and was one of the most widespread movements of Gnosticism.

Pupil of Valentinus

Irenaeus of Lyon following (around 135-202 ) were especially Herakleon and Ptolemy understood in ancient times as a direct student Valentinus '. The more advanced of them Valentinianism existed in the form of a Western ( Ptolemy, Herakleon ) and eastern ( Theodotus ). Hippolytus mentions a Axionicos and a Ardesianes ( probably identical with Bardesanes by professionals ) for the eastern form.

In more recent research, the students compete with their own theological quality to the fore, so that one can no longer speak of an actual "school". Some basic elements of theology Valentinus ' and Valentinianism were also taken up by Origen and developed.

History

After Ambrose of Milan disrupted in 388 Valentinian at Kallinikos (Syria ), a procession of monks, after which monks burned down the Temple of the Valentinians in a village. Emperor Theodosius I ordered the punishment of monks, Ambrose stood up for them. The last mention of Valentinians 692 in canon 95 of the Second Council of Trullo.

" Last certificates that can be taken of the existence of Valentinians to complete, date from the 7th century [ ... ], but after the middle of the 5th century they seem to have shown any real size anymore. "

Teaching

The Valentinianism is a syncretic religious movement and heavily influenced Christian. Since a good creator god is believed to Valentino raises the question of the origin of misery in the world. The answer is in a mythical narrative - where - the so-called Sophia - myth:

By fall before the creation the world is created. This is offset by a saving redeemer figure. This results in a dualistic world view, one of the hallmarks of Gnostic systems: the world, the darkness, the material is a spiritual world, against the light.