Abstract This paper explains that Manichaeism is an extreme form of dualistic Gnosticism, a system that offers salvation by knowledge of spiritual truths. The author points out that St. Augustine was a Manichaean believer for many years before he became a convert to Christianity; some historians even state that he was a missionary for the Manichaeans. The paper relates that Manichaeism argues that the foundation of the universe is the opposition of two principles, good and evil, each equal in relative power. Thus, the essence of Manichaeism is the principle of absolute dualism: the primal conflict between God, represented by light and spirit, and Satan, represented by darkness and the material world.
From the Paper "Mani traveled to India where he studied Buddhism and other spiritual traditions. Manichaean philosophy truly represented a fusion of East and West. It is also well known that Augustine's negative and pessimistic view of human nature and sexuality has strongly affected Christian theology and the Western world view in general. The myth of the Original Sin became much more a central concern that created a lot of guilt and shame. He had the idea that man was inherently and totally good until the fall. After the fall, man was both good and evil. A dualistic thought, but a very Christian statement. Augustine, himself, devoted a considerable part of his early writings to refuting the teachings of the Manicheans."
Abstract This paper explains that Augustine of Hippo was searching for answers because he was plagued by doubt and fear concerning his personal state of evil and was confused through his involvement with the sect Manichaeism, which taught perfect duality between good and evil. The author analyzes St. Augustine's conversion to Christianity by reflecting on the different attributes that enabled this young scholar to put his faith in the Bible's messages. The paper relates that Augustine realized that it was only through a deeply personal and authentic relationship with God and the sacrificing work of Jesus on the cross that any victory over his sinful nature could be gained. The paper includes quotations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
An Attractive Option
"The Letter Kills, but the Spirit Gives Life"
From the Paper "The responses of Christianity, concerning the questions and doubts that plagued Augustine, were part of his attraction to the message of the Bible. Weighed down by sin, confused by evil in the world, and how all of that related to a God that was supposedly good were all issues that burned within him. Augustine wanted to find Truth and he wanted some sort of release for his soul, although he didn't really know what that would entail. However, it was genuine answers that the scholar was searching for, not those that would just balm his conscience for a short while."
Abstract This paper considers the period of c.1100 - 1215, which was an epoch that was marked by the Catholic Church's war against heretics. The paper first identifies the three different heretical movements and then reflects upon the means that the Church used to try and defeat these movements, religious groups, and apparent sects, In the conclusion, the paper attempts to determine the degree of success that was achieved.
Outline:
Introduction
Historical Heretic Movements
The Waldensian Heresy
Bolomilism, Paulicianism, and Manichaeism The Cathars
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Cathars, who mainly inhabited the Languedoc region of France, were also an alternative and popular movement that experienced spectacular success in attaining conversions. A phenomenon, such as had not been seen by the Roman Church since the early days of Christianity, the belief was rapidly expanding throughout and beyond the southern regions of France. The threat of this was so great that the Church offered "legally sanctioned dominion over conquered lands to northern French nobles and the King of France" (The Chronicle of William of Puylaurens, Introduction, 2003). Therefore, political and economic gain were important contributing factors, with royalty essentially behaving as Catholic mercenaries, who then received whole areas of France."
