This book investigates the historical and philosophical continuity of a 'perennial heresy' that challenges the orthodox Christian Trinity by reinterpreting the roles of the Father, the Son, and the Serpent. A. D. Nuttall, a distinguished scholar of English literature, utilizes historical theology and close textual analysis to argue that Gnostic motifs—specifically those of the second-century Ophites—persist within the works of major English poets. By examining the tension between divine authority and the pursuit of knowledge, Nuttall posits that this alternative theological framework provides a coherent lens through which to view the subversive elements in canonical literature.

Scholars and critics frequently cite this work as a sophisticated intervention in the study of literary theology, noting the density of Nuttall's interdisciplinary approach. It is widely regarded as a foundational text for those examining the intersection of Gnostic thought and the English poetic tradition.