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The Manichaeans taught ''[[Ontology|ontological]] dualism'': that there were two principles ''ab aeterno'', the one good, the other bad. Only the good principle is called God: the bad principle is not called God anywhere in Manichaean sources <ref>van Schaik</ref>. It is only in Augustine’s [[polemic]]al anti-Manichaean text ''Contra Faustum'', a debate between Augustine and the Manichaean Bishop Faustus, that we find the existence of two gods being discussed, among other topics. Faustus denies the possibility forthrightly <ref>''Contra Faustum'' XXXI.1</ref>: the bad principle is a ''pars Dei'' <ref>"pars Dei"—Latin. a part, or portion, of God</ref> which mixes itself with the creation, while the [[substance]] of God remains unaffected.

The Manichaeans taught ''[[Ontology|ontological]] dualism'': that there were two principles ''ab aeterno'', the one good, the other bad. Only the good principle is called God: the bad principle is not called God anywhere in Manichaean sources <ref>van Schaik</ref>. It is only in Augustine’s [[polemic]]al anti-Manichaean text ''Contra Faustum'', a debate between Augustine and the Manichaean Bishop Faustus, that we find the existence of two gods being discussed, among other topics. Faustus denies the possibility forthrightly <ref>''Contra Faustum'' XXXI.1</ref>: the bad principle is a ''pars Dei'' <ref>"pars Dei"—Latin. a part, or portion, of God</ref> which mixes itself with the creation, while the [[substance]] of God remains unaffected.

Manichaeism teaches a ''cosmic dualism'': that the good and evil powers are equally present through all the [[eon]]s of creation, including the physical creation. Moreover the world (heaven and earth) was created by a being from the kingdom of light, the living spirit. In each [[eon]], light and darkness struggle with one another to extract and purify the light. On earth it is the Manichaean priests (the ''electi'' "Elect"), who have the task of distilling light by consuming ritual meals. The light in plants and flowers is distilled by digestion. This form of cosmic dualism can be called ‘horizontal dualism’ <ref>van Schaik</ref>.

Manichaeism teaches a ''cosmic dualism'': that the good and evil powers are equally present through all the [[eon]]s of creation, including the [[Universe|physical creation]]. Moreover the world (heaven and earth) was created by a being from the kingdom of light, the living spirit. In each [[eon]], light and darkness struggle with one another to extract and purify the light. On earth it is the Manichaean priests (the ''electi'' "Elect"), who have the task of distilling light by consuming ritual meals. The light in plants and flowers is distilled by digestion. This form of cosmic dualism can be called ‘horizontal dualism’ <ref>van Schaik</ref>.

From the Manichaean texts it appears that the good God has foreseen the entire development of the world. He permits wickedness, so that at the end of time the light may shine out with a ‘higher’ quality in a New Jerusalem. This is an ''[[Eschatology|eschatological]] dualism''. There is an evolutionary perspective in Manichaeanism: everything will be better.

From the Manichaean texts it appears that the good God has foreseen the entire development of the world. He permits wickedness, so that at the end of time the light may shine out with a ‘higher’ quality in a New Jerusalem. This is an ''[[Eschatology|eschatological]] dualism''. There is an evolutionary perspective in Manichaeanism: everything will be better.