Manichaeism
In one sentence
A late-antique syncretistic religion with radical dualism of light and darkness that influenced Christian controversies.
In simple terms
The religion of Mani combined elements from several traditions in a radically dualistic picture of an eternal conflict between Light and Darkness.
Biblical truth
Biblical faith affirms one Creator of all things, the goodness of creation, and does not derive evil from an eternal principle equal to God.
Key Scriptures
Gen. 1:1,31 · Isa. 45:5–7 · John 1:1–5 · Col. 1:15–20
Example
Matter is treated as the realm of Darkness in which particles of divine Light must be liberated through ascetic practice and knowledge.
Who holds it
Manichaean communities from the third century into the medieval period across a vast area from the Roman world to Central Asia and China.
Not to be confused with
Manichaeism is not merely a Christian heresy; it was an independent universal religion, though it used Christian imagery and claimed to complete earlier revelations.
History
It was founded by the prophet Mani in third-century Sasanian Persia; Augustine was associated with the Manichaeans for several years before his conversion.
Main point of debate
In theological comparison the main conflict concerns dualism: whether evil is an independent eternal reality or a corruption of good within a created world.