Early Theologians
On the Unity of the Church, Letters & On the Lapsed
Cyprian of Carthage · c. 246 – 258
Historical Context
A wealthy rhetorician converted around 246, elected bishop of Carthage two years later, and beheaded under Valerian in 258. He led the North African church through the Decian persecution and the Novatianist schism.
Summary
On the Unity of the Church argues that there is no salvation outside the one visible communion of bishops united among themselves; On the Lapsed and his letters address how to reconcile Christians who had sacrificed under persecution. Cyprian is a foundational voice for Latin ecclesiology.
Major Themes
- Unity of the Church
- Episcopate as sacrament of unity
- Discipline of the lapsed
- Extra ecclesiam nulla salus
Important Quotations
“He can no longer have God for his Father who has not the Church for his mother.”— On the Unity of the Church 6
Related Church Fathers
Related Doctrines
Primary Sources
Further Reading
- J. Patout Burns, Cyprian the Bishop