Manicheanism
The beauty of historical studies is found in its propensity to illustrate for the historian that no matter how much things change, they really stay the same. Manicheanism is an example of this profound lesson derived from the past. As such, its teachings and impact on the past should serve as a reminder for diligence and caution in the present, if the astute will listen to the lessons of the past.
Manichean philosophy is shrouded in the past, finding its origins in the third century following the advent of Jesus Christ. Founded by a teacher of Persian extraction named Mani, Manicheanism was a blend of philosophies and religion found ready and willing adherents in the Roman Empire who happened to be searching for religious enlightenment wherever truth may be found. Some, such as Augustine of Hippo prior to his conversion to Christianity, have made significant historical contributions in theology and practice, thus ensuring the survival of Manicheanism as an acknowledged philosophy down through the ages. This notoriety of personality has allowed a continuous discussion to exist as to the nature and format of Manicheanism, even though most of the original thoughts and documents were destroyed through relentless persecution upon the summation of the group being a heresy and Mani acknowledged as a heresiarch.
From its inception, Manicheanism has been and continues to be a religion or philosophy of dualism. It also is an attempt to blend or amalglomate multiple religious thought or expressions into a cohesive whole. Mani sought to synthesize Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Christianity with a sampling of Astrological and Mystic elements included as well. From the dualistic perspective, Mani taught there were two emanations or pulses from which all things found their subsistence through the created universe. In his convoluted fashion, Mani taught that the good of the Bible was the good god for impulse. However, because he was responsible for creation, he was also responsible for evil’s existence, by failing to keep creation free of its influence.
Modern Neo-Manicheanism (www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3991/Neo) now claims it addresses accurately the “greatest weakness of the world’s largest religions: the origin of evil and suffering.” It is their assertion that the creator-god is ultimately responsible for the suffering and evil because the creator’s god is evil. This is a twist on Mani’s original teaching that the human body has inherent evil in it (due to matter’s corruption). According to Mani, only the human soul is pure and its job is to extricate or liberate itself from matter through strict religious practices of deprivation and discipline.
In both its manifestations, past and present, Manicheanism is a heretical movement that subverts the truth of Christianity through dilution. Mani’s claims to enlightenment and prophetic insight must be rejected. However, the dangers of this cult must not be dismissed. In its origins, an ancient like lay below the surface that has existed in many fashions and formats. Its teachings are similar to the modern mysticism of the New Age where once again people have attempted to forge a new religious expression thought the weaving together of ancient thoughts and religions.
Manicheanism resurgence in modern times raises a historical conundrum for the church in Manicheanism classification. It is legitimate to identify this philosophy/religion as a cult, or is the church better served by placing it in a category of its own? Are there enough similarities to categorize it as being an errant branch or should it be identified with other esoteric New Age/Old Lie religious expressions? These are thought for additional consideration.
