Pentadic Redaction in the Manichaean KephalaiaDiscovered in 1929, the Manichaean "Kephalaia" have opened up an important window on the early development of Manichaean doctrine. This study identifies a significant redactional tendency whereby the compilers of the text sought to clarify ambiguities in canonical Manichaean tradition by means of five-part numerical series. This discovery challenges the conventional wisdom of Manichaean scholarship, which has long maintained that, since Mani recorded his own teachings in a series of what later became canonical writings, Manichaean doctrines were transmitted relatively unchanged from the master to successive generations of disciples. Since this assumption is now called into question, it now becomes necessary to re-evaluate received notions about the shape of both the Manichaean canon and tradition. |
Contents
part ii translations from the kephalaia of the teacher berlin codex | 93 |
Appendix Theodore Bar Khonais Résumé of the Manichaean Myth Annotated Translation | 223 |
| 231 | |
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Common terms and phrases
according Aeons Apostle appears Archons authority become belong body bound called canonical Catechumens Chapter Church Column comes communication compilers Consideration cosmos Counsel Darkness Death described desire disciples discourse dwells earth Elect Elements emanation established evil exist fact Father fifth fire first five Five Limbs Five Sons five-part flesh formulation four fourth fruit Funk given Glory Gods hands head heart heaven Holy human Insight interpretation Jesus Kephalaia King known Land Light Light-Mind Limbs Living Living Spirit lord Mani’s Manichaean Manichaeism Matter means Mind Mother mystery nature occurred patterns Peace pentadic perfect powers present proclaimed question received Reeves Response revealed root rules says seems seven signs soul sources Spirit Splendour spoke structure suggested taste Teacher teaching term Theodore bar things Third Third Messenger Thought tradition transition tree turn twelve Virgin Water wisdom Zodiac