Editing Basilides (section)

===Creation===
His view of creation, according to the orthodox heresiologists, was likely similar to that of [[Valentinus (Gnostic)|Valentinus]], whom he rivaled, being based on a ''doctrine of emanations'' proceeding from an uncreated, ineffable [[Pleroma]]. Like his rival, Basilides taught that matter, and the material universe, are evil, and that the God of the Old Testament, who was responsible for creation, is a misguided ''archon'' or lesser deity.<ref>Louis P. Pojman, "Basilides," in ''The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy'', 3rd ed., ed. Robert Audi.</ref>

Historians, such as Philip Shaff, have the opinion that: "Irenaeus described a form of Basilideanism which was not the original, but a later corruption of the system. On the other hand, Clement of Alexandria surely, and Hippolytus, in the fuller account of his ''Philosophumena'', probably drew their knowledge of the system directly from Basilides' own work, the ''Exegetica'', and hence represent the form of doctrine taught by Basilides himself".<ref>''Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series'' volume=? page 178, note 7. {{Verify source|date=April 2011}}<!--This is a 14 volume book! http://www.amazon.com/Nicene-Post-Nicene-Fathers-Second-Volumes/dp/1565631161--></ref>