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| == A Dictionary of Early Christian Biography <ref name="term_15140" /> ==
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| <p> [[Saturninus]] (1). In the section of his work commencing I. 22 [[Irenaeus]] gives a list of heretics apparently derived from Justin Martyr. The first two are the [[Samaritan]] heretics Simon and Menander; the next as having derived their doctrines from these Saturninus and [[Basilides]] who taught the former in the [[Syrian]] [[Antioch]] the latter in Egypt. Irenaeus says that Saturninus like [[Menander]] ascribed the ultimate origin of things to a Father unknown to all; and taught that this Father made angels archangels powers authorities but that the world and the things therein were made by a certain company of seven angels in whom no doubt we are to recognize the rulers of the seven planetary spheres. He taught that man was the work of the same angels. They had seen a brilliant image (εἰκών) descend from the [[Supreme]] Power and had striven to detain it but in vain; for it immediately shot back again. So they encouraged each other: "Let us make man after the image and after the likeness" (κατ᾿ εἰκόνα καὶ καθ᾿ á½Î¼Î¿á½·Ï‰ÏƒÎ¹Î½ Gen_1:25). They made the man but were too feeble to give him power to stand erect and he lay on the ground wriggling like a worm (ὡς σκώληκος οκαÏίζοντος) until the Upper Power taking compassion on him because he had been made "in Its likeness," sent a spark of life which raised him and made him live. Saturninus taught that after man's death this spark runs back to its kindred while the rest of man is resolved into the elements whence he was made. </p> <p> The same creation myth is reported by Irenaeus (I. xxx. 5) to have been included in the system commonly known as Ophite; and literary dependence of the two stories is clear from the common use of the word σκαρίζο . But according to the Ophite story it is not the Supreme Power, but Ialdabaoth, the chief of the creative company, who bestows the breath of life; and these angels say, as in Genesis, "Let us make man after our image." We may count Saturninus as the originator of the myth, for the Ophite version has marks of less simplicity and originality. </p> <p> Saturninus further taught that the God of the [[Jews]] was one of the seven creator angels. He and his company were in constant warfare with Satan and a company of evil angels. So, likewise, there were two distinct species of men, the bad ever aided by the demons in their conflicts with the good. Then the Supreme Father sent a [[Saviour]] to destroy the power of the God of the Jews and the other Archons; and to save those who had the spark of life in them—that is to say, the good. This Saviour had no human birth or human body, and was only a man in appearance. </p> <p> Saturninus ascribed the [[Jewish]] prophecies, some to the creator angels and some to Satan. This is one of several points of coincidence between the reports given by Irenaeus of the teaching of Saturninus and of the Ophites. These do not ascribe any of the prophecies to Satan, but Irenaeus (§ 11) gives the scheme according to which they distributed them among the several angels. Saturninus does not appear to have left any writings. His sect is named by Justin [[Martyr]] ( <i> [[Trypho]] </i> , 35) and by [[Hegesippus]] (Eus. <i> H. E. </i> iv. 22). No later heresiologist appears to know anything about him beyond what he learned from Irenaeus; and Irenaeus probably derived all his knowledge from Justin Martyr. </p> <p> [G.S.] </p> | | Saturninus <ref name="term_59215" /> |
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| | <p> a [[Christian]] martyr under Diocletian, was a priest of Albitina, in Africa, who, having been informed against for officiating in his clerical capacity, was apprehended and sent to [[Carthage]] to be examined before Amelinus. On his examination, [[Saturninus]] vindicated the Christian religion with great eloquence. By command of the proconsul he was tortured and remanded to prison, where he died of starvation, about A.D. 305. See Fox, Book of Martyrs, p. 48. </p> |
| == Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature <ref name="term_59214" /> ==
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| <p> a native of Antioch, in Syria, and a disciple of Menander. He was founder of a sect of Gnostics, called after him Saturninians (q.v.). He flourished A.D. 117-138. </p>
| | == References == |
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| | | <ref name="term_59215"> [https://bibleportal.com/encyclopedia/cyclopedia-of-biblical-theological-and-ecclesiastical-literature/saturninus+(2) Saturninus from Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature]</ref> |
| <ref name="term_15140"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/a-dictionary-of-early-christian-biography/saturninus Saturninus from A Dictionary of Early Christian Biography]</ref> | |
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| <ref name="term_59214"> [https://bibleportal.com/encyclopedia/cyclopedia-of-biblical-theological-and-ecclesiastical-literature/saturninus Saturninus from Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature]</ref>
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| </references> | | </references> |
Saturninus [1]
a Christian martyr under Diocletian, was a priest of Albitina, in Africa, who, having been informed against for officiating in his clerical capacity, was apprehended and sent to Carthage to be examined before Amelinus. On his examination, Saturninus vindicated the Christian religion with great eloquence. By command of the proconsul he was tortured and remanded to prison, where he died of starvation, about A.D. 305. See Fox, Book of Martyrs, p. 48.
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