Which bishop was known for teaching that the material world is inherently evil?

The bishop known for teaching that the material world is inherently evil is Marcion. He proposed a radical theological perspective that emphasized a stark distinction between the God of the Old Testament, whom he viewed as a lesser, creator deity associated with the material world, and the God of the New Testament, who is good and purely spiritual. Marcion believed that the material universe was flawed and corrupt, stemming from this lower god, and he ultimately rejected the Old Testament texts. His views significantly influenced early Christian thought, provoking responses from other church leaders and theologians who defended the goodness of creation and the continuity of God's nature throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

In contrast, figures like Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus of Lyons, and Polycarp held views that affirmed the goodness of creation and the material world, often emphasizing the importance of the incarnation and the physical realm within God's redemptive plan.