the Old and New Testaments as a basis for interpretation in his own writing. He based his work on proto-orthodox Christian canon instead of on Gnostic scripture, and his style was similar to that of early Christian works. In this way, Valentinus tried to bridge the gap between Gnostic religion and early Catholicism. By attempting to bridge this gap, however, Valentinus and his followers became the proverbial wolves in sheep's clothing. "The apparent similarity with orthodox teaching only made this heresy more dangerous – like poison disguised as milk." Valentinian Gnosticism was "the most influential and sophisticated form of Gnostic teaching, and by far the most threatening to the church." Early Christianity has been described as "a complex network of individual parties, groups, sects, or denominations." This inconsistency made Gnostic sects such as Valentinianism threatening to the proto-orthodox sect. Texts Valentinian works are named in reference to the bishop and teacher Valentinius. Circa 153 AD, Valentinius developed a complex cosmology outside the Sethian tradition. At one point he was close to being appointed the Bishop of Rome of what is now the Roman Catholic Church. Works attributed to his school are listed below, and fragmentary pieces directly linked to him are noted with an asterisk: The Divine Word Present in the Infant (Fragment A) * On the Three Natures (Fragment B) * Adam's Faculty of Speech (Fragment C) * To Agathopous: Jesus' Digestive System (Fragment D) * Annihilation of the Realm of Death (Fragment F) * On Friends: The Source of Common Wisdom (Fragment G) * Epistle on Attachments (Fragment H) * Summer Harvest* The Gospel of Truth* Ptolemy's Version of the Gnostic Myth Prayer of the Apostle Paul Ptolemy's Epistle to Flora Treatise on the Resurrection (Epistle to Rheginus) Gospel of Philip A Valentinian Exposition See also Gnosticism Mandaeism Sethianism List of Gnostic sects Notes References Bibliography Attribution: Bousset's article contains a detailed survey of the classical authorities writing on the topic, some of which is replicated here in footnotes. External links Valentinus and the Valentinian Tradition – Comprehensive collection of material on Valentinian mythology, theology and tradition (from the Gnosis Archive website). Patristic Material on Valentinus Complete collection of patristic sources mentioning Valentinus. Valentinus – A Gnostic for All Seasons Introductory essay by Stephan A. Hoeller (from the Gnosis Archive website). Christian terminology Early Christianity and Gnosticism Early Gnostic Christian sects Gnosticism