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Basilides, an early Christian Gnostic teacher, was primarily active in Alexandria, Egypt, a center for diverse religious movements.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides was indeed an early Christian Gnostic teacher whose primary sphere of activity was Alexandria, Egypt, a renowned hub for various religious and philosophical currents.
According to Irenaeus, Basilides was active between 117 and 161 AD, placing him in the late 1st century CE.
Answer: False
Explanation: Clement of Alexandria, not Irenaeus, provides the timeframe for Basilides' activity as between 117 and 161 AD, which situates him in the early to mid-2nd century CE, not the late 1st century.
Basilides claimed to have received his core teachings directly from the apostle Saint Peter, one of the original twelve disciples.
Answer: False
Explanation: Basilides claimed to have received his teachings from the apostle Saint Matthias, not directly from Saint Peter. While one account suggests he was a pupil of Glaucias, a disciple of Peter, this is not a direct claim from Peter himself.
The Basilidean movement quickly faded after Basilides' death, with no significant presence recognized beyond the 2nd century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Basilidean movement did not quickly fade; it persisted for at least two centuries after Basilides' time, with a recognized presence in the Nile Delta region of Egypt even at the end of the 4th century.
The historical consensus firmly favors Hippolytus's account of Basilides' doctrine over Irenaeus's, considering it more reliable.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Hippolytus's account was previously favored, the historical consensus is now contested, with many scholars considering both Irenaeus's and Hippolytus's accounts of Basilides' doctrine to be potentially unreliable.
In which city was Basilides, an early Christian Gnostic teacher, primarily active?
Answer: Alexandria, Egypt
Explanation: Basilides, an early Christian Gnostic teacher, was primarily active in Alexandria, Egypt, a significant intellectual and religious center of the ancient world.
According to Clement of Alexandria, during what period was Basilides active?
Answer: Early to mid-2nd century CE (117-161 AD)
Explanation: Clement of Alexandria states that Basilides was active between 117 and 161 AD, placing him in the early to mid-2nd century CE.
From which apostle did Basilides claim to have inherited his teachings?
Answer: Saint Matthias
Explanation: Basilides claimed to have received his teachings from the apostle Saint Matthias, who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.
For how long did the Basilidean movement persist after Basilides' time?
Answer: At least two centuries
Explanation: The Basilidean movement persisted for at least two centuries after Basilides' time, indicating a notable, though eventually fading, influence.
Where was a persistent Basilidian presence recognized at the end of the 4th century by Epiphanius of Salamis?
Answer: Over the Nile Delta in Egypt
Explanation: Epiphanius of Salamis noted a persistent Basilidian presence in the Nile Delta region of Egypt at the close of the 4th century.
What is the historical consensus regarding the reliability of Irenaeus's and Hippolytus's accounts of Basilides' doctrine?
Answer: The matter is contested, with some considering both accounts unreliable despite previous favoring of Hippolytus.
Explanation: The historical consensus regarding the reliability of Irenaeus's and Hippolytus's accounts of Basilides' doctrine is contested, with many scholars now viewing both as potentially unreliable, despite earlier preferences for Hippolytus.
Who was Isidore in relation to Basilides?
Answer: His son and disciple.
Explanation: Isidore was Basilides' son and a prominent disciple, often mentioned alongside his father as jointly responsible for certain doctrines.
According to Irenaeus, Basilides believed the ungendered Father was the ultimate first principle from which all other divine entities originated.
Answer: True
Explanation: Irenaeus indeed reported that Basilides posited the ungendered Father as the ultimate first principle, the primordial source from which all other divine entities in his cosmology originated.
Irenaeus described five emanations from the Father in Basilides' system: Nous, Logos, Phronesis, Sophia, and Dynamis.
Answer: True
Explanation: Irenaeus accurately described five emanations from the Father in Basilides' system: Nous (Intellect), Logos (Word), Phronesis (Prudence), Sophia (Wisdom), and Dynamis (Power).
Clement of Alexandria and the *Testimony of Truth* both confirm Basilides' belief in a primal Ogdoad, a group of eight primordial deities.
Answer: True
Explanation: Both Clement of Alexandria and the *Testimony of Truth* corroborate Basilides' doctrine of a primal Ogdoad, which refers to a group of eight primordial deities or beings central to his cosmology.
In Basilides' cosmology, Sophia and Dynamis were responsible for creating the Archon, who then created the first heaven.
Answer: False
Explanation: In Basilides' cosmology, Sophia and Dynamis created a group of angels, and these angels were responsible for creating the first heaven. The Archon is identified as the chief of the *final* angelic emanation, not directly created by Sophia and Dynamis.
Basilides believed in a total of 365 heavens, a number significant for explaining the number of days in a solar year.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides indeed posited the existence of 365 heavens, a number he considered significant as it corresponded to the number of days in a solar year, reflecting a cosmic order.
The Archon, or chief of the final angelic emanation, was identified by Basilides as the God of the Jews because he was believed to favor them.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides identified the Archon, the chief of the final angelic emanation, as the God of the Jews, specifically because this deity was believed to show favoritism towards the Jewish people.
According to Irenaeus, what was the first principle in Basilides' theogony?
Answer: The ungendered Father
Explanation: Irenaeus reported that Basilides believed the ungendered Father was the ultimate first principle from which all other divine entities originated.
Which of the following is NOT one of the five emanations from the Father in Basilides' system, as described by Irenaeus?
Answer: Aletheia (Truth)
Explanation: Irenaeus listed Nous, Logos, Phronesis, Sophia, and Dynamis as the five emanations from the Father in Basilides' system; Aletheia (Truth) is not among them.
What is the Ogdoad in Basilides' cosmology, according to Clement of Alexandria?
Answer: A primal group of eight primordial deities or beings
Explanation: According to Clement of Alexandria, the Ogdoad in Basilides' cosmology refers to a primal group of eight primordial deities or beings, including 'Justice' and 'Peace'.
According to Irenaeus, what entities were created by Sophia (Wisdom) and Dynamis (Power) in Basilides' cosmology?
Answer: A group of angels who then created the first heaven
Explanation: Irenaeus reported that Sophia (Wisdom) and Dynamis (Power) created a group of angels, and these angels were subsequently responsible for the creation of the first heaven.
How many heavens did Basilides believe were created, and what was their significance?
Answer: 365 heavens, explaining the number of days in a solar year
Explanation: Basilides believed in the creation of 365 heavens, a number that he considered significant for explaining the 365 days in a solar year, reflecting a cosmic order.
Who is identified as the Archon, or chief of the final angelic emanation, in Basilides' view?
Answer: The God of the Jews
Explanation: In Basilides' cosmology, the Archon, the chief of the final angelic emanation, is identified as the God of the Jews.
Why was the Archon considered the God of the Jews by Basilides?
Answer: Because he was believed to favor the Jewish people.
Explanation: Basilides considered the Archon to be the God of the Jews because this deity was believed to exhibit favoritism towards the Jewish people.
Basilides and his followers rejected the biography of Jesus found in the canonical Gospels, preferring their own apocryphal accounts.
Answer: False
Explanation: Basilides and his followers generally accepted the biography of Jesus as presented in the canonical Gospels, rather than rejecting them in favor of apocryphal accounts.
Irenaeus consistently reported that Basilides taught Jesus' body suffered on the cross, aligning with canonical accounts.
Answer: False
Explanation: Irenaeus did not consistently report that Basilides taught Jesus' body suffered on the cross. He also claimed that Basilides believed Jesus was substituted on the cross with Simon of Cyrene, though Irenaeus himself later contradicted this by reporting Basilideans believed Jesus' body suffered.
Basilides, like other Gnostics, taught that salvation is achieved through *gnosis*, or secret knowledge, rather than through faith.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides, in alignment with other Gnostic traditions, taught that salvation is attained through *gnosis*, or esoteric knowledge, which he distinguished from conventional faith.
Basilides defined faith as a conscious choice and a profound, direct understanding of divine truths.
Answer: False
Explanation: Basilides defined faith as 'an assent of the soul to any of the things which do not excite sensation, because they are not present,' and believed it was a matter of 'nature,' not a conscious choice or a profound, direct understanding of divine truths.
Basilides' belief in 'election' led him to separate a portion of humanity, the 'elect,' who were inherently entitled to higher enlightenment.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides' doctrine of 'election' indeed posited a segment of humanity, the 'elect,' who were inherently destined by divine decree to receive higher enlightenment, being 'by nature supermundane'.
What controversial deviation concerning Jesus' crucifixion was claimed by Irenaeus regarding Basilides' views?
Answer: Jesus was substituted on the cross with Simon of Cyrene.
Explanation: Irenaeus controversially claimed that Basilides taught a docetic view of the crucifixion, asserting that Jesus was substituted on the cross with Simon of Cyrene.
What was Basilides' teaching on salvation, distinguishing it from faith?
Answer: Salvation comes through knowledge (*gnosis*) rather than faith.
Explanation: Basilides taught that salvation is achieved through *gnosis*, or esoteric knowledge, which he distinguished from salvation through conventional faith.
How did Basilides define faith?
Answer: An assent of the soul to things not exciting sensation because they are not present.
Explanation: Basilides defined faith as 'an assent of the soul to any of the things which do not excite sensation, because they are not present,' implying a less direct form of understanding than gnosis.
Basilides introduced the concept of metempsychosis, or reincarnation, to explain suffering in the present life as a penalty for past sins.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides did introduce the concept of metempsychosis, or reincarnation, as a means to explain suffering in the current life, attributing it as a penalty for sins committed in a previous existence.
Basilides interpreted Romans 7:9, 'I lived without a law once,' to mean that the soul lived in a pre-existent, law-abiding human form before the current body.
Answer: False
Explanation: Basilides interpreted Romans 7:9, 'I lived without a law once,' to mean that the soul existed in a form not under law, such as a beast or a bird, prior to entering the current human body, not a pre-existent, law-abiding human form.
Origen praised Basilides for teaching that transmigrations were the only punishments after death, as it instilled a salutary fear in people.
Answer: False
Explanation: Origen criticized Basilides for teaching that transmigrations were the only punishments after death, specifically complaining that this doctrine *deprived* men of a salutary fear, rather than instilling it.
Basilides held that Christian martyrs were being punished for sins committed in past lives, thereby diminishing the spiritual value of their martyrdom.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides indeed maintained that Christian martyrs were undergoing punishment for sins committed in previous lives, a perspective that effectively diminished the spiritual significance and value traditionally ascribed to martyrdom.
The Basilideans referred to 'passions' as 'Appendages,' which were spirits attaching to rational souls during a primitive turmoil.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Basilideans did refer to 'passions' as 'Appendages,' which they described as spirits that attach themselves to rational souls during a primordial state of turmoil and confusion.
Clement of Alexandria used the teachings of Basilides and Isidore on marriage to commend the later Basilidians for their moral purity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Clement of Alexandria used the teachings of Basilides and Isidore on marriage as a *rebuke* to the perceived immorality of later Basilidians, not to commend them for moral purity.
Basilides interpreted Matthew 19:12's eunuchs as those who remain celibate to avoid the practical cares of providing a livelihood.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides interpreted the final category of eunuchs in Matthew 19:12 as individuals who choose celibacy to circumvent the practical burdens and distractions associated with securing a livelihood.
Isidore, Basilides' son, advised that sexual intercourse is natural and necessary for all individuals.
Answer: False
Explanation: Isidore, Basilides' son, advised that sexual intercourse is natural but explicitly stated it is *not necessary* for all individuals.
Eusebius of Caesarea, citing Agrippa Castor, reported that Basilides taught that eating meat offered to idols and renouncing faith during persecution were grave sins.
Answer: False
Explanation: Eusebius of Caesarea, relying on Agrippa Castor, reported that Basilides taught that eating meat offered to idols and renouncing faith during persecution were matters of *indifference*, not grave sins.
Isidore, Basilides' son, argued in *On an Adherent Soul* that humans cannot use 'appendages' as an excuse for involuntary evil acts, emphasizing the unity of the soul.
Answer: True
Explanation: In his work *On an Adherent Soul*, Isidore, Basilides' son, argued against using 'appendages' as an excuse for involuntary evil acts, emphasizing the unity of the soul and the human capacity to overcome lower nature through reason.
What concept did Basilides introduce regarding sin and suffering in this life?
Answer: Metempsychosis, or reincarnation, as a penalty for past sins.
Explanation: Basilides introduced the concept of metempsychosis, or reincarnation, to explain suffering in the present life as a penalty for sins committed in a past existence.
How did Basilides interpret Romans 7:9, 'I lived without a law once,' in the context of metempsychosis?
Answer: It meant the soul lived in a form not under law, such as a beast or bird, before the current body.
Explanation: Basilides interpreted Romans 7:9, 'I lived without a law once,' to mean that the soul existed in a form not under law, such as a beast or bird, prior to inhabiting the current human body, linking it to his metempsychosis doctrine.
What was Basilides' perspective on Christian martyrs?
Answer: He believed their suffering was a punishment for sins committed in past lives.
Explanation: Basilides held that Christian martyrs were being punished for sins committed in past lives, a fatalistic view that diminished the spiritual value of their martyrdom.
What did Basilideans call 'passions,' and how did they describe them?
Answer: Appendages, spirits attaching to rational souls during primitive turmoil.
Explanation: The Basilideans referred to 'passions' as 'Appendages,' which they described as spirits attaching to rational souls during a primitive turmoil and confusion, influencing human actions.
How did Clement of Alexandria use the teachings of Basilides and Isidore regarding marriage?
Answer: As a rebuke to the perceived immorality of later Basilidians.
Explanation: Clement of Alexandria cited the original teachings of Basilides and Isidore on marriage as a rebuke to the perceived moral laxity of later Basilidians, highlighting deviations from their foundational principles.
What was Basilides' interpretation of Matthew 19:12 concerning eunuchs?
Answer: Those who remain celibate to avoid the distracting cares of providing a livelihood.
Explanation: Basilides interpreted the final category of eunuchs in Matthew 19:12 as those who choose celibacy to avoid the practical burdens and distractions associated with providing a livelihood.
In his book *On an Adherent Soul*, what argument did Isidore make that contrasted with his father's teaching on 'Appendages'?
Answer: He insisted on the unity of the soul and that individuals cannot use 'appendages' as an excuse for involuntary evil acts.
Explanation: In *On an Adherent Soul*, Isidore argued against his father's teaching on 'Appendages,' emphasizing the unity of the soul and asserting that individuals cannot use 'appendages' as an excuse for involuntary evil acts, but must overcome them through reason.
Basilides is credited with writing over two dozen books of commentary on the Christian Gospel, titled *Exegetica*, making him one of the earliest known Gospel commentators.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides is indeed attributed with authoring over two dozen books of commentary on the Christian Gospel, known as *Exegetica*, establishing him as one of the earliest documented commentators on the Gospels, despite these works being lost.
Basilides attached unusual significance to Jesus' Baptism, viewing it as the moment Jesus received 'the Gospel' through divine illumination.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides indeed attributed exceptional significance to Jesus' Baptism, considering it the pivotal moment when Jesus received 'the Gospel' through divine illumination, marking a profound spiritual event.
Agrippa Castor claimed Basilides invented prophets named Barcabbas and Barcoph, whose prophecies were likely part of popular Zoroastrian literature.
Answer: True
Explanation: Agrippa Castor indeed claimed that Basilides fabricated prophets named Barcabbas and Barcoph, whose purported prophecies are thought to have originated from the apocryphal Zoroastrian literature popular among Gnostic groups.
The 'Gospel according to Basilides' is widely available today, confirming Origen's claims about its existence.
Answer: False
Explanation: Despite Origen's claims, no trace of a 'Gospel according to Basilides' exists today, leading to speculation that Origen may have misunderstood other works or that it was known by another name.
Basilides gave the Holy Spirit the unique name 'the Limitary Spirit,' a concept thought to be a transformation of the Valentinian concept of 'Limit'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Basilides indeed bestowed the unique appellation 'the Limitary Spirit' upon the Holy Spirit, a concept widely considered a reinterpretation of the distinct Valentinian notion of 'Limit' (Horos).
What significant literary contribution is attributed to Basilides, though the works are now lost?
Answer: Over two dozen books of commentary on the Christian Gospel, titled *Exegetica*
Explanation: Basilides is credited with authoring over two dozen books of commentary on the Christian Gospel, titled *Exegetica*, which are now lost but represent a significant early literary contribution.
What significance did Basilides attach to Jesus' Baptism?
Answer: It was the occasion when Jesus received 'the Gospel' through divine illumination.
Explanation: Basilides attached unusual significance to Jesus' Baptism, viewing it as the pivotal moment when Jesus received 'the Gospel' through divine illumination.
According to Agrippa Castor, what practice did Basilides prescribe for his disciples in a 'Pythagorean fashion'?
Answer: A silence of five years.
Explanation: Agrippa Castor reported that Basilides prescribed a five-year period of silence for his disciples, emulating a practice observed by the Pythagorean philosophical school.
What was the true name of the work from which Basilides and Isidore claimed to derive mystical doctrines heard by Matthias from the Saviour?
Answer: The Traditions of Matthias
Explanation: Basilides and Isidore claimed to derive mystical doctrines, privately taught by the Saviour to Matthias, from a work whose actual title was apparently the *Traditions of Matthias*.
What did Isidore's work *Expositions of the Prophet Parchor* teach?
Answer: That the higher thoughts of heathen philosophers and mythologers were derived from Jewish sources.
Explanation: Isidore's *Expositions of the Prophet Parchor* taught that the elevated philosophical concepts and mythological narratives of heathen thinkers were ultimately derived from Jewish sources.
What unique name did Basilides give to the Holy Spirit?
Answer: The Limitary Spirit
Explanation: Basilides uniquely referred to the Holy Spirit as 'the Limitary Spirit,' a concept believed to be a transformation of the Valentinian concept of 'Limit'.
Basilides' concept of the Ogdoad was likely an original idea, with no known influences from existing religious or philosophical traditions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Basilides' concept of the Ogdoad was likely not an original idea, as it may have been derived from a Jewish Gnostic work circulating in Alexandria, indicating influences from existing religious or philosophical traditions.
Basilides' Gnosticism was characterized by its pure Christian origins, with minimal influence from Greek philosophy or antecedent Gnosticism.
Answer: False
Explanation: Basilides' Gnosticism was eclectic, demonstrating significant influences from antecedent Gnostic traditions, Greek philosophy, and the Christian faith, rather than being characterized by pure Christian origins with minimal external influence.
Basilides' system chronologically preceded Valentinus's, and Valentinus's system was likely built upon Basilides' foundational theories.
Answer: False
Explanation: Basilides and Valentinus were approximate contemporaries, and a comparison of their doctrines suggests that the Valentinian system might have been the starting point from which Basilides constructed his own theory, rather than Basilides' system chronologically preceding Valentinus's.
Basilides' system retained several leading Gnostic forms and ideas, such as syzygies of male and female powers, that Valentinus also held.
Answer: False
Explanation: Basilides' system actually discarded several leading Gnostic forms and ideas, such as syzygies of male and female powers, that Valentinus retained, indicating a deliberate divergence.
From where might Basilides have derived the concept of an Ogdoad?
Answer: A Jewish Gnostic work in Alexandria
Explanation: Basilides may have derived the concept of an Ogdoad from a Jewish Gnostic work circulating in Alexandria, suggesting an influence from existing traditions.
How is Basilides' Gnosticism characterized in terms of its influences?
Answer: Eclectic, showing influences from antecedent Gnosticism, Greek philosophy, and Christian faith.
Explanation: Basilides' Gnosticism is characterized as eclectic, integrating significant influences from antecedent Gnostic traditions, Greek philosophy, and the Christian faith and Scriptures.