Manichaeans

Heretical sect founded by Curbicus the Persian, whom his own people called Manes and Manichaeus. They proscribed the Old Testament together with the Simonians and Marcionites, teaching it was produced by evil angels. St. Augustine wrote 33 books Against Faustus in defense of the Pentateuch and Old Testament.

Preface and Praise of Sacred Scripture

• Heresies Proscribing the Old Testament — Curbicus the Persian called Manes and Manichaeus, who proscribed the Old Testament

  "Curbicus the Persian (whom his own people called Manes and Manichaeus, as if a pourer-out of manna, by way of honor)"

• Heresies Proscribing the Old Testament — Manichaeans taught the Old Testament was produced by evil angels

  "Simon, the Manichaeans, and the Marcionites taught that the Old Testament was produced by a sinister power and evil angels"

• The Fathers' Defense of the Old Testament — Augustine wrote 33 books Against Faustus in defense against them

  "St. Augustine wrote, in defense of the truth and usefulness of the Pentateuch and the Old Testament, no fewer than 33 books Against Faustus"

Chapter I (The Six Days of Creation)

• God (Elohim): Thirteen Definitions — The Manichaeans err in saying there are two principles or two gods, one good and one evil

  "Pythagoras, the Manichaeans, and the Priscillianists err, who say that there are two principles of things, or two gods: one good, the creator of spirits; the second evil, the creator of bodies."

• Verse 4: And God saw the light that it was good — The phrase "God saw that it was good" is directed against the Manichaeans, showing nothing evil was produced by God

  "against the Manichaeans we may know that nothing evil, but all things good, were produced by God"