Manichaeism

Nicholas Baker-Brian's "Manichaeism" is an innovative and unique introduction to Manichaeism that is aimed at undergraduates or readers who hold no specialty in the area. This introduction is provided from both a historical and theological perspective. Furthermore, the book offers a biographical approach to the founder Mani and discusses his personality, writings and theories at the time of the Aramaic Christian tradition of third century (CE) Mesopotamia.

Baker-Brian also takes time to explore the position of the the Manichean church withing late antiquity society (250-700 CE) and any skepticism that may have been held against it. Progressing naturally with the church's story, the book then details the emergence of Manichaeism in the late Roman and Byzantine empires, in addition to examining the continuation of Manichaean traditions in the eastern world (China) up to the thirteenth century and beyond.

The book examines the theology of Mani's system, wishing to offer an objective analysis of the cosmogonic, scriptural and ecclesiological ideas forming its foundations. The study will aim to demonstrate the highly syncretic nature of Manichaeism, and will look to move forward 'traditional' perceptions of the religion as being simply a form of Christian Gnostic Dualism.