Scribd
Upload
200 views1 page

Naassenes

The Naassenes were a Gnostic sect in antiquity known for their use of serpent symbolism and appealing to the Gospel of Thomas. They called themselves Gnostics rather than "snake people" as outsiders labeled them. The key aspect of their theology was the doctrine of a heavenly Adam, which they identified with Logos and Christ as the divine image and world soul holding the universe together. They drew on a wide range of texts from scripture to classical myths to support their mythology. Their use of serpent symbolism came from interpreting Moses' brazen serpent as a symbol of Christ rather than actual serpent worship. They differed from the Ophites in having a positive view of serpents

Uploaded by

X
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
200 views1 page

Naassenes

The Naassenes were a Gnostic sect in antiquity known for their use of serpent symbolism and appealing to the Gospel of Thomas. They called themselves Gnostics rather than "snake people" as outsiders labeled them. The key aspect of their theology was the doctrine of a heavenly Adam, which they identified with Logos and Christ as the divine image and world soul holding the universe together. They drew on a wide range of texts from scripture to classical myths to support their mythology. Their use of serpent symbolism came from interpreting Moses' brazen serpent as a symbol of Christ rather than actual serpent worship. They differed from the Ophites in having a positive view of serpents

Uploaded by

X
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1

Naassenes “snake people.” In reality they called them-


selves gnostics. They bolstered their mythology
TUOMAS RASIMUS
with a wide array of proof texts ranging from
the scriptures and Christian apocrypha to
The teaching of the Naassenes is only known HOMER and exoteric aspects of mystery cults
through a hostile description by the author of (Lancellotti 2000). Because snake-handling
Refutatio omnium haeresium (5.2; 5.6–11; was a known aspect of several mystery cults,
10.9), probably HIPPOLYTUS OF ROME (Marcovich many scholars have mistakenly assumed that
1986). While the Naassenes are famous for the Naassenes engaged in actual serpent-hand-
having appealed to a version of the Gospel ling and worship. Moreover, despite similari-
of Thomas (Refutatio omnium haeresium ties to the Ophite teaching, the two are not
(Elenchos) 5.7.20–21) and for their own psalm identical (Rasimus 2009). The Naassene teach-
(5.10.2), the cornerstone of their teaching was ing differs from the Ophite one especially in its
a doctrine of a heavenly Adam. Juxtaposed completely positive serpent symbolism, its lack
with the primal anthropos of several competing of the Sophia myth, and its massive use of clas-
myths, the Naassene Adam was ultimately sical proof texts.
identified as Logos and Christ in his capacity
of the divine image and world soul who holds SEE ALSO: Gnosis, gnostics, gnosticism.
the universe together, imparts form and beauty
to it, and guides the current of descending and
ascending souls. An additional symbol for this
platonically and stoically inspired intermediary REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS
between God and matter was the snake. This
Lancellotti, M. (2000) The Naassenes: a gnostic
was partially based on the Johannine interpre-
identity among Judaism, Christianity, Classical
tation of Moses’ brazen serpent (Num 21:6–9) and ancient Near Eastern traditions. Münster.
as Christ (John 3:14–15). Advocates of this Marcovich, M., ed. (1986) Hippolytus: refutatio
pantheistic Christology pointed out a similarity omnium haeresium. Berlin.
between the Greek word for temple (naos) and Rasimus, T. (2009) Paradise reconsidered in gnostic
the Hebrew word for snake (nahash), whence mythmaking: rethinking Sethianism in light
hostile outsiders labeled them Naassenes, of the Ophite evidence. Leiden.

The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. Edited by Roger S. Bagnall, Kai Brodersen, Craige B. Champion, Andrew Erskine, and Sabine R. Huebner.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Published 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DOI: 10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah25058

You might also like