Whereas polytheism conceptualizes sacred power as
many different forms, dualism conceptualizes sacred power as two
distinct forces that are either in conflict with one another or that
work together to bring balance to the cosmos.

Dualism and
Cosmic Balance.

Indigenous Chinese religion conceived of a force that orders the
universe. That force is called the Dao (the Way).
The Dao is actually made up of two basic principles: yin is
the negative, dark force that is usually associated with the
feminine; yang is the positive, bright force that is
considered to be masculine. The interplay between these two
forces is responsible for both balance and change in the universe.
Although one principle may dominate for a while, the imbalance that
is created when one principle dominates cannot be sustained. The
natural tendency is for the Dao to be balanced.

Dualism in Cosmic Struggle

The ancient
Persian religion known as Zoroastrianism illustrates how
divine power can be conceptualized as forces that are in conflict
with each other. Zoroastrianism arose in Persia in the Seventh
Century BCE, although there is some debate about the exact date of
origin. The prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) received a revelation
that there was one God, known as Ahura Mazda (Ohrmazd). The
spirit of Ahura Mazda (known as Spenta Mainyu) is opposed by an evil
spirit known as Spenta Angra.

In this cosmic struggle between good and evil, every individual
must take sides. The world is moving toward a climactic battle in
which the forces of good will defeat the forces of evil. Ahura
Mazda. This triumph will result in a transformed creation, and the
dead will be raised to eternal life.

Although early Zoroastrianism seemed to indicate that both the
good and evil spirit emanated from Ahura Mazda, later Zoroastrianism
assumed a more radical dualism in which the evil spirit was the
creator of the material world, and was virtually co-equal in power
with Ahura Mazda. This kind of dualism would find its way into
some Christian thinking, especially in Gnosticism and Manicheanism.

Gnosticism is a name given to a number of distinct groups
in early Christianity. Although the particulars of their
beliefs might vary, they generally held that the material world was
created by an inferior God whom they equated with the God of the Old
Testament. This material creation has entrapped the divine spirit
which is the real nature of humanity. Consequently, the Supreme God
sent Jesus to impart the secret knowledge that human beings need to
escape from their imprisonment in matter.

In the third century, the teacher Mani combined elements
of Christianity, Gnosticism and Zoroastrianism to formulate a
philosophy that came to be called Manicheanism. According to
this world view, the world was created by the basic elements
of light (soul) and dark (matter). The intermixing of the two
led to the soul being polluted by matter. Mani thus concluded that
humans must seek to free themselves from evil (matter) through
prayer, abstinence, and self-denial. Like the Gnostics, Mani
believed that Jesus did not have a material body and did not
actually die. The influential Christian theologian Augustine
was a Manichean for nine years before abandoning the philosophy.