Ophites

The Ophites were a Gnostic Christian sect that flourished in the 2nd century AD. Their name derives from the Greek word "ophis" meaning "serpent," a creature central to their theology. Unlike mainstream Christianity, the Ophites revered the serpent of Eden, interpreting it as a benevolent being who offered humanity knowledge and liberation from the tyrannical creator god, whom they identified with the Old Testament Yahweh. They believed this demiurge, a lesser divine being, sought to keep humanity ignorant and enslaved.

Ophite doctrine incorporated elements of Jewish mysticism, Neoplatonism, and various Gnostic mythologies. They often saw the Old Testament God as a figure of wrath and ignorance, while the serpent represented a higher, true divinity. Some Ophite groups also venerated figures like Eve, whom they saw as the wise one who facilitated humanity's awakening, and Jesus, whom they viewed as a divine messenger who brought true gnosis, or spiritual knowledge, to the world. Their practices likely included symbolic interpretations of scripture and ritualistic observances. The Ophites were largely condemned by early Church Fathers, such as Irenaeus, who viewed their teachings as heretical and a perversion of Christian doctrine. Little direct textual evidence from the Ophites themselves survives, and much of what is known comes from the critiques of their opponents.