Manichaeism

Manichaeism was one of the major ancient religions. Though its organized form is mostly extinct today, a revival has been attempted under the name of Neo-Manichaeism. However, most of the writings of the founding prophet Mani have been lost. Some scholars and anti-Catholic polemicists argue that its influence subtly continues in Western Christian thought via Augustine of Hippo (better known now as St. Augustine), who converted to Christianity from Manichaeism and whose writing continues to be enormously influential among Catholic and Protestant theologians.

Related Topics:
Religion - Prophet - Mani - Catholic - Christian - Augustine of Hippo

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In Egypt a miniscule codex was found and became known via antique dealers in Cairo. It was purchased by the University of Cologne in 1969, and two of its scientists Henrichs and Koenen produced the first edition of this ancient manuscript known since as the Cologne Mani-Codex, which they published in four articles in the Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik. The content of the small papyrus manuscript contained a Greek text describing the life of Mani. Thus we know much more about the man who founded one of the most influential world religions of the past.

Related Topics:
Codex - Cairo - University of Cologne - 1969 - Cologne Mani-Codex - Papyrus - Greek

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