Christian Cyclopedia

(Manicheism; Manichaeanism; Manicheanism; Manicheeism). 1. Religion founded by Mani.*

2. Syncretistic, dualistic (see Dualism) philos. of nature, including Gnostic, Zoroastrian, and Christian elements. Held in gen. that the kingdom of light and kingdom of darkness were in conflict from eternity. Satan and his hosts, born of the kingdom of darkness, imprisoned elements of light that were later called Jesus patibilis (“Jesus capable of suffering”). This led to formation of the world by command of the God of light, in order to deliver the imprisoned light. Jesus impatibilis (“Jesus incapable of suffering”) came from the kingdom of light to lead his followers into strict asceticism and completely effect separation bet. light and darkness. The souls of the saved reach final blessedness in light; men's bodies and the souls of the lost fall victim to darkness. Conflagration consumes the world.

3. Manichaeism spread over the Roman Empire and was a menace to the ch. Augustine* of Hippo was Manichaean in his youth. Manichaeans and Manichaeism are referred to AC I 5; Ap XVIII 1; FC Ep I 17, 19, 22; II 8; SD I 26, 27, 30, 45.

See also Albigenses; Cathari.