Against Heresies: Book I

OTHERS CLAIM THAT CAIN CAME FROM THE POWER ABOVE: and acknowledge that Esau, Korah, the Sodomites, and similar people, are connected to them. Because of this, they say, they have been attacked by the Creator, but none of them has been harmed. For Sophia often took back what belonged to her from them. They claim that Judas the traitor knew these things well, and that he alone, understanding the truth as no others did, carried out the mystery of the betrayal; thus, by him, everything, both earthly and heavenly, was thrown into confusion. They present a fabricated story like this, which they call the Gospel of Judas.

I HAVE ALSO COMPILED A COLLECTION OF THEIR WRITINGS IN WHICH THEY ADVOCATE FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE WORKS OF HYSTERA: Moreover, they refer to Hystera as the creator of heaven and earth. They also believe, like Carpocrates, that people cannot be saved until they have experienced all kinds of situations. They claim that an angel accompanies them in each of their sinful and abominable actions, encouraging them to be bold and engage in corruption. Regardless of the nature of the action, they assert that they do it in the name of the angel, saying, "O angel, I use your work; O power, I accomplish your operation!” They claim that this is "perfect knowledge," without hesitating to engage in actions that are not lawful even to mention.

IT WAS NECESSARY TO CLEARLY PROVE THAT THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE SCHOOL OF VALENTINUS: as shown by their own opinions and regulations, draw their origin from certain mothers, fathers, and ancestors. Also, to present their doctrines in the hope that perhaps some of them might repent and return to the only Creator and God, the Maker of the universe, to obtain salvation, and that others will no longer be led astray by their wicked yet convincing arguments, believing they will gain knowledge of greater and more sublime mysteries. Instead, let them learn effectively from us about the wicked beliefs of these individuals and regard their doctrines with disdain, while also feeling sorry for those who, still clinging to these miserable and unfounded tales, have become so arrogant as to consider themselves superior to all others because of such knowledge, or rather, ignorance. They have now been fully exposed, and merely presenting their beliefs is enough to defeat them.

THEREFORE: I have worked to bring forward and clearly reveal the utterly ill-formed carcass of this miserable little fox. There will not be a need for many words to overturn their doctrine, now that it has been revealed to all. It is like when a beast hides in a wood and, by rushing out, habitually destroys many. Someone who beats around the wood and thoroughly explores it to force the animal out does not try to capture it, knowing it is truly ferocious. But those present can then watch and avoid its attacks, cast darts at it from all sides, wound it, and finally slay that destructive beast. Similarly, since we have exposed their hidden mysteries, which they keep secret among themselves, it will not be necessary to use many words to destroy their system of beliefs. Now it is in your power, and the power of all your associates, to familiarize yourselves with what has been said, overthrow their wicked and incomplete doctrines, and present doctrines aligned with the truth. Since this is the case, I shall, as promised, and to the best of my ability, work to refute them in the following book. Even explaining their beliefs is a tedious task, as you can see. But I will provide means to defeat them by addressing all their opinions in the order described, so that I may not only expose the wild beast but also wound it from every side.