The Development of Augustine’s Christology in the Early Anti-Manichaean Works

This project is a study of Augustine’s Christology through the additional lens of his engagement with Manichaeism. The first chapter assesses the status quaestionis of Augustine’s early Christology and identifies two common trajectories of assessment. The primary mode of assessment is through the lens of Augustine’s Platonism. While not dismissing this dimension, chapter one outlines the deficiency of such a narrow focus on Augustine’s Platonism to the exclusion of Augustine’s critique of Manichaeism.

The second chapter provides an outline and diagnosis of Latin Manichaeism through a consideration of the hermeneutical focus of Manichaeism. This chapter moves through Mani’s work, the Shābuhragān, and other works such as the Codex Mani Cologne, to provide a framework of Manichaeism. The focus, however, is on how this framework is deployed or adapted in Western (Latin) Manichaeism.

The third chapter is an extensive consideration of Augustine’s earliest writings at Cassiciacum and shortly thereafter. These writings are examined in relation to the Christological and anti-Manichaean focus of the works. The fourth chapter turns to Augustine’s two works De moribus. Specific attention is given to the increasingly Christological manner of Augustine’s treatment of Manichaeism. The fifth chapter treats Augustine’s De Genesi contra Manichaeos. This chapter treats not only Augustine’s response to Manichaeism through his Christology, but also addresses the accuracy of the Platonic mode of interpretation often utilized by modern scholars.

The final chapter treats several works up through Augustine’s Contra Fortunatum. This chapter shows how Augustine has developed his Christology. The debate with Fortunatus initiates Augustine’s realization of the possibilities of his understanding of Christ as well as solidifies his understanding of some of the implications of Manichaean Christology.