Augustin und der Manichäismus

What was the significance of Manichaeism for Augustine and his theology? Volker Henning Drecoll and Mirjam Kudella answer this question in three steps, studying Augustine's Manichean phase, his subsequent struggle against Manichaeism and the influence of Manichaeism on his theology. To begin with, they deal with the relationship between the young Augustine and North African Manichaeism. The authors then describe the development of a theology detached from Manichaeism and Augustine's anti-Manichean polemics, and take a look at biographical connections as well as Augustine's work on church policies and the Manichaeism allegations against Augustine. In conclusion, they show the extent to which it is possible to detect the permanent influence of Manichaeism on Augustine's doctrine of God, the soul and sin, his Christology and his understanding of the history of salvation and of the scriptures.