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Cyril of Alexandria: His Life and Impact
A fascinating glimpse into the life of one of the Early Church Fathers, his defence of orthodox theology, and how his Christ–centredness has shaped the faith of the Church.
Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376 – 444 AD) was a towering figure in early Christianity, renowned for his theological prowess and leadership as the Patriarch of Alexandria. Born into a prominent Christian family, Cyril received a comprehensive education in theology and philosophy, which equipped him for his future role as a defender of orthodox Christian doctrine.
Daniel Hames unpacks Cyril’s tenure as Patriarch, marked by significant theological controversies, notably his fierce defense of the divinity of Christ against the teachings of Nestorius, culminating in the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. Cyril played a pivotal role in condemning Nestorianism and affirming the doctrine of the hypostatic union – the belief in the union of Christ’s divine and human natures in one person.
Cyril’s legacy endures as one of the most influential figures in the development of the doctrine of Christ, shaping the theological landscape of Christianity for centuries to come.
Series Preface
A Chronology of Cyril’s Life
Foreword
1. The Man, the Myth, the Legend
2. The Nestorian Controversy
3. Who is Jesus?
4. Who is God?
5. What is Salvation?
6. Chalcedon and Beyond
Afterword
Hames begins with some history and biography of Cyril before setting up the dynamics of the controversy with Nestorius. The chapters on Jesus, God and salvation are a look into Cyril’s theology, especially in the light of the battle he was fighting. The final chapter and afterword survey his influence on the church immediately after his lifetime and highlight some of the ways we might turn to Cyril today as we navigate the question and debates of our own time.
Early Church Fathers series: edited by Michael A. G. Haykin and Shawn J. Wilhite, this series relates the magnificent impact that those fathers of the early church had on our world todayExtra a chronology of Cyril’s life, including key councils held in the years following his deathTheologically helps us understand the importance of applying correct Christology
Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376 – 444 AD) was a towering figure in early Christianity, renowned for his theological prowess and leadership as the Patriarch of Alexandria. Born into a prominent Christian family, Cyril received a comprehensive education in theology and philosophy, which equipped him for his future role as a defender of orthodox Christian doctrine.
Daniel Hames unpacks Cyril’s tenure as Patriarch, marked by significant theological controversies, notably his fierce defense of the divinity of Christ against the teachings of Nestorius, culminating in the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. Cyril played a pivotal role in condemning Nestorianism and affirming the doctrine of the hypostatic union – the belief in the union of Christ’s divine and human natures in one person.
Cyril’s legacy endures as one of the most influential figures in the development of the doctrine of Christ, shaping the theological landscape of Christianity for centuries to come.
Series Preface
A Chronology of Cyril’s Life
Foreword
1. The Man, the Myth, the Legend
2. The Nestorian Controversy
3. Who is Jesus?
4. Who is God?
5. What is Salvation?
6. Chalcedon and Beyond
Afterword
Hames begins with some history and biography of Cyril before setting up the dynamics of the controversy with Nestorius. The chapters on Jesus, God and salvation are a look into Cyril’s theology, especially in the light of the battle he was fighting. The final chapter and afterword survey his influence on the church immediately after his lifetime and highlight some of the ways we might turn to Cyril today as we navigate the question and debates of our own time.
Early Church Fathers series: edited by Michael A. G. Haykin and Shawn J. Wilhite, this series relates the magnificent impact that those fathers of the early church had on our world todayExtra a chronology of Cyril’s life, including key councils held in the years following his deathTheologically helps us understand the importance of applying correct Christology
- GenresChurch History
168 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2024
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 5, 2024
This was good! But could have done with a glossary. A few too many big words.
I learned a lot, enjoyed this insight into some early church scandal and now have a much better grasp of how the person of Jesus is both a human nature and divine nature.
I learned a lot, enjoyed this insight into some early church scandal and now have a much better grasp of how the person of Jesus is both a human nature and divine nature.
November 22, 2025
“The man Jesus was none other than God the Son Himself, personally stepping into our humanity to save us and bring us into fellowship with His Father. When Cyril came up against Nestorius, he could see that what a person thinks of Jesus Christ truly changes everything. If God and humanity do not really come together in this one person, then God and humanity cannot come together in salvation either.”
This biography on Cyril and his theology is simply exceptional. I also enjoyed this volume in this series much more than the volume on Athanasius. Hames does a fantastic job of explaining Cyril’s life, as well as his shortcomings, and dispelling certain misconceptions that have arisen about Cyril in light of more critical theological studies on his life. This book is also a fantastic study of the context and theology that would lead to the Councils of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451). Also helpful in this volume is Hames’s treatment of Theodore of Mopsuestia, Diodore, Nestorius, and Eutychus. If you could some up Cyril’s Christology in a brief statement, it is that we encounter none other than God himself in the person and work of Jesus. Cyril recognized that he was not just wrestling with Christological issues, but also soteriological views and philosophical conceptions of Christ that distort our view of the incarnation and the saving work of Jesus. Cyril believed and taught that it was the one eternal son of God who became incarnate as man, suffered, and died for our sins. Hames also helpfully explains Cyril’s view of deification, Mary, and Cyril’s critical engagement with Greek (primarily Aristotelian) philosophy.
This is a very impactful biography that enriches my view of the person and work of Christ. This book also gives me a much deeper appreciation for Cyril’s Christocentric theological vision and biblical hermeneutic. His thought is worth studying! I get why TF Torrance was so shaped and infatuated with Cyril’s theology!
This biography on Cyril and his theology is simply exceptional. I also enjoyed this volume in this series much more than the volume on Athanasius. Hames does a fantastic job of explaining Cyril’s life, as well as his shortcomings, and dispelling certain misconceptions that have arisen about Cyril in light of more critical theological studies on his life. This book is also a fantastic study of the context and theology that would lead to the Councils of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451). Also helpful in this volume is Hames’s treatment of Theodore of Mopsuestia, Diodore, Nestorius, and Eutychus. If you could some up Cyril’s Christology in a brief statement, it is that we encounter none other than God himself in the person and work of Jesus. Cyril recognized that he was not just wrestling with Christological issues, but also soteriological views and philosophical conceptions of Christ that distort our view of the incarnation and the saving work of Jesus. Cyril believed and taught that it was the one eternal son of God who became incarnate as man, suffered, and died for our sins. Hames also helpfully explains Cyril’s view of deification, Mary, and Cyril’s critical engagement with Greek (primarily Aristotelian) philosophy.
This is a very impactful biography that enriches my view of the person and work of Christ. This book also gives me a much deeper appreciation for Cyril’s Christocentric theological vision and biblical hermeneutic. His thought is worth studying! I get why TF Torrance was so shaped and infatuated with Cyril’s theology!
November 12, 2024
I have not read a lot of books on the early church fathers. It is an overlooked (not opposed, just underemphasized) aspect of my tradition, Evangelicalism. I am not sure why, because there is so much to learn from those who went before. Why are we not reading (and reading about) Augustine, Athanasius and Cyril, for example, and the things that they opposed or stood for? We should! And I will delight in, and make a point of doing more so, in the future.
I have just found this series a on some of the patristics. And this, the first in the series that I have read, will not be the last. It's well written, a fascinating subject and I learned a lot. Presenting the dangers of Nestorianism was well done by Hames. But it's not just what Cyril was standing against. Even more importantly, the well-developed and theologically sound Christology of Cyril's, is so rich. We all need to read content like this. The depth of thinking and intense commitment to truth of this 5th century writer is profound.
Before I mention a quote from the book, I want to say that Daniel Hames is an excellent writer. The depth of insight, thoroughness of his explanations and the amazing ability to convey difficult concepts clearly, especially to someone like me, not a theologian by training, was all very impressive.
My one quote from this book, a few words of Cyril's himself. In one sentence from his commentary on 1 Pet 4:1, he states a solid 'two natures in one person' Christology.
"He who endured the noble for our sake and tasted of death was no ordinary man conceived of as separate and distinct of the Word of God the Father but it was the Lord of Glory himself who suffered in the flesh, according to the Scriptures."
I have just found this series a on some of the patristics. And this, the first in the series that I have read, will not be the last. It's well written, a fascinating subject and I learned a lot. Presenting the dangers of Nestorianism was well done by Hames. But it's not just what Cyril was standing against. Even more importantly, the well-developed and theologically sound Christology of Cyril's, is so rich. We all need to read content like this. The depth of thinking and intense commitment to truth of this 5th century writer is profound.
Before I mention a quote from the book, I want to say that Daniel Hames is an excellent writer. The depth of insight, thoroughness of his explanations and the amazing ability to convey difficult concepts clearly, especially to someone like me, not a theologian by training, was all very impressive.
My one quote from this book, a few words of Cyril's himself. In one sentence from his commentary on 1 Pet 4:1, he states a solid 'two natures in one person' Christology.
"He who endured the noble for our sake and tasted of death was no ordinary man conceived of as separate and distinct of the Word of God the Father but it was the Lord of Glory himself who suffered in the flesh, according to the Scriptures."
July 28, 2025
It's definitely a popular level book, but it's been a while since I read this kind of book that would keep me interested.
I like how Hames explained that apparent conflict between "Alexandrian Vs Antiochene way of doing exegesis" is a myth. And that asking this question whether 'Nestorius was really Nestorian?' is way too generous to Nestorius. And, that Cyril perhaps was not a bully and a schemer as people tend to think he was. So yes, that's all really good, and it's really well executed - especially for a popular level book.
Makes a good use of Cyril's own work, and relies mainly on Richard Price, John McGuckin (both on Ephesus), Donald Fairbairn, Daniel Keating, and the book edited by Thomas Weinandy - again, really good choice for the secondary literature, which he distilled quite well.
I thought it's going to be a 3 star book when I picked it up. but no, for what it is, and what it is seeking to do - it's actually very good.
I like how Hames explained that apparent conflict between "Alexandrian Vs Antiochene way of doing exegesis" is a myth. And that asking this question whether 'Nestorius was really Nestorian?' is way too generous to Nestorius. And, that Cyril perhaps was not a bully and a schemer as people tend to think he was. So yes, that's all really good, and it's really well executed - especially for a popular level book.
Makes a good use of Cyril's own work, and relies mainly on Richard Price, John McGuckin (both on Ephesus), Donald Fairbairn, Daniel Keating, and the book edited by Thomas Weinandy - again, really good choice for the secondary literature, which he distilled quite well.
I thought it's going to be a 3 star book when I picked it up. but no, for what it is, and what it is seeking to do - it's actually very good.
September 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! Daniel Hames does a terrific job re-telling the history of the Cyril of Alexandria. The book balances Christology and church history, with the latter half more focused on Christology. I’m glad I read this, and will keep it near by for future reference. I agree with another review that suggests a glossary would have been helpful. He sometimes references terms of the time in their original language, and I found it hard to keep track of them. It wasn’t a major hinderance to reading the book, though.
May 22, 2025
This is an excellent book which demonstrates the richness of Cyril's theology while showing how any adjustment made to the doctrine of Christ will have implications on how we view salvation. While being an engaging historical, this short book shines a spotlight on the beauty of Jesus and his gospel.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews