PREFACE.

...that a certain Tyrbo, a Mesopotamian who had been a disciple of Mani, must have given to Archelaus Archelaus was the fictional Bishop of Cascara in the Acts of Archelaus, the primary anti-Manichaean source used by early Church fathers. concerning the heresies of his master. I admit that upon my first reading of this piece, I was strongly biased against the author; however, I later reconsidered, and I found that there was more confusion and inaccuracy than outright falsehood in the Mesopotamian's account. I do not even know if the beginning has been altered; for one can indeed accuse Mani of establishing two Gods by admitting two Princes and two eternal Empires. But it is not likely that a Manichaean, who knew his doctrine well, would have accused him of serving two Gods; or, if he did, that is enough to prove him a notorious liar.

Tyrbo's account serves as my text. I explain it, critique it, and correct it. I limit certain general maxims which are only true when applied to specific cases. I supply what was omitted. I distinguish between actual errors, or dogmas, and the consequences that were drawn from them. I attempt to discover the origin of so many absurd opinions and fictions. I reduce all Manichaean theology into a system: I first report its principles. One can well imagine that all this was not done without difficulty, but having undertaken it, I wished to carry it through.

The first principle of Manichaeism is Authority, which our Heresiarch A founder of a heresy or leader of a heretical sect. seized for himself, acting as an Apostle of Jesus Christ and a prophet immediately enlightened by the Paraclete The "Paraclete" (from the Greek paraklētos, meaning advocate or helper) refers to the Holy Spirit. Mani claimed to be the "Spirit of Truth" promised by Jesus in the New Testament., in order to reform all religions and reveal to the world the truths which our Lord did not judge appropriate to teach [his disciples]...