The Bardaisan Gnostics
The Bardaisan Gnostic was located in Edessa. Edessa was perhaps the first Christian state and only Gnostic state in history. Much like Mani, Bardaisan converted both the king and much of the kingdom to his interpretation of Christianity. It is important to remember that although Christianity was an established religion, it was not nearly as dogmatic as it is today. For the first two centuries of Christianity's existence, the standards for orthodoxy were not established. At this time in history, Bardaisan's teachings were not heretical. Unfortunately, the church inevitably shifted to the uniform establishment as it is today. Had this shift not occurred, Bardaisan could be a saint today. |