Translation
Hide
The Refutation of All Heresies
Chapter XVI.--Heresy of Valentinus; Derived from Plato and Pythagoras.
The heresy of Valentinus 1 is certainly, then, connected with the Pythagorean and Platonic theory. For Plato, in the Timaeus, altogether derives his impressions from Pythagoras, and therefore Timaeus himself is his Pythagorean stranger. Wherefore, it appears expedient that we should commence by reminding (the reader) of a few points of the Pythagorean and Platonic theory, and that (then we should proceed) to declare the opinions of Valentinus. 2 For even although in the books previously finished by us with so much pains, are contained the opinions advanced by both Pythagoras and Plato, yet at all events I shall not be acting unreasonably, in now also calling to the recollection of the reader, by means of an epitome, the principal heads of the favourite tenets of these (speculators). And this (recapitulation) will facilitate our knowledge of the doctrines of Valentinus, by means of a nearer comparison, and by similarity of composition (of the two systems). For (Pythagoras and Plato) derived these tenets originally from the Egyptians, and introduced their novel opinions among the Greeks. But (Valentinus took his opinions) from these, because, although he has suppressed the truth regarding his obligations to (the Greek philosophers), and in this way has endeavoured to construct a doctrine, (as it were,) peculiarly his own, yet, in point of fact, he has altered the doctrines of those (thinkers) in names only, and numbers, and has adopted a peculiar terminology (of his own). Valentinus has formed his definitions by measures, in order that he may establish an Hellenic heresy, diversified no doubt, but unstable, and not connected with Christ.
-
Valentinus came from Alexandria to Rome during the pontificate of Hyginus, and established a school there. His desire seems to have been to remain in communion with Rome, which he did for many years, as Tertullian informs us. Epiphanius, however, tells that Valentinus, towards the end of his life, when living in Cyprus, separated entirely from the Church. Irenaeus, book i.; Tertullian on Valentinus, and chap. xxx. of his Praescript.; Clemens Alexandrinus, Strom., iv. 13, vi. 6; Theodoret, Haeret. Fab., i. 7; Epiphanius, Haer., xxxi.; St. Augustine, Haer., xi.; Philastrius, Hist. Haers., c. viii.; Photius, Biblioth., cap. ccxxx.; Clemens Alexandrinus' Epitome of Theodotus (pp. 789-809, ed. Sylburg). The title is, 'Ek ton Theodotou kai tes anatolikes kaloumenes didaskalias, kata tous Oualentinou chronous epitomai. See likewise Neander's Church History, vol. ii. Bohn's edition. ↩
-
These opinions are mostly given in extracts from Valentinus' work Sophia, a book of great repute among Gnostics, and not named by Hippolytus, probably as being so well known at the time. The Gospel of Truth, mentioned by Irenaeus as used among the Valentinians, is not, however, considered to be from the pen of Valentinus. In the extracts given by Hippolytus from Valentinus, it is important (as in the case of Basilides: see translator's introduction) to find that he quotes St. John's Gospel, and St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians. The latter had been pronounced by the Tübingen school as belonging to the period of the Montanistic disputes in the middle of the second century, that is, somewhere about 25-30 years after Valentinus. ↩
Translation
Hide
Widerlegung aller Häresien (BKV)
21.
Die Häresie des Valentinus enthält die pythagoreische und die platonische Lehre. Plato hat nämlich im Timäus den Pythagoras vollständig nachgebildet; so ist ihm auch Timäus selbst ein pythagoreischer Gastfreund. Es dürfte sich somit empfehlen, erst einiges Wenige von der pythagoreischen und platonischen Lehre in Erinnerung zu rufen und dann mit der Darstellung der Sätze des Valentinus zu beginnen. Denn wenn auch in den vorher von uns verfaßten Büchern1 die Lehrmeinungen des Pythagoras und Plato niedergelegt sind, so werde ich doch auch jetzt mit gutem Grund ihre Ansichten auszugsweise und summarisch in Erinnerung bringen; so treten dann durch die nähere Zusammenstellung und Vergleichung die Meinungen des S. 158 Valentinus gut hervor; jene haben einst ihre Lehre von den Ägyptern übernommen und für die Griechen zugeschnitten; dieser nahm sie von ihnen, aber er unterschlug diese Tatsache. Denn er versuchte eine eigene Lehre zusammenzusetzen..... , er änderte die Lehre jener in bezug auf Namen und Zahlen, führte eigene Benennungen und Maße ein, so daß er eine zwar schillernde, aber systemlose und nicht mit Christus übereinstimmende griechische Häresie ins Leben rief.
-
I 2. 19; IV 51. ↩