The Lapsed, the Unity of the Catholic Church

Ancient Christian Writers #25

by Cyprian, Thomas C. Lawler (Editor)

A monumental project which brings the English-speaking work key selections from the remarkable literature of early Christianity -- vertiable trasures of Christian faith and theology in superb translations.

Genres: Theology

144 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1957

About the author

Cyprian (Latin: Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus) was bishop of Carthage and an important Early Christian writer, many of whose Latin works are extant. He was born around the beginning of the 3rd century in North Africa, perhaps at Carthage, where he received a classical education. After converting to Christianity, he became a bishop in 249 and eventually died a martyr at Carthage.

Reviews

[Noah Reimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyprian wrote “De lapsis” ("On the Lapsed") and “De Unitate Ecclesiae (On the Unity of the Church) during a period of intense Roman persecution and internal strife within the church in the mid-3rd century. The intensity of his writings really show the difficulty of the situation the church found itself in. Having gone from intense persecution to whether lapsed believers could reenter and how, is a seriously difficult reality. I was convicted and blessed by how Cyprian biblically faced these challenges. Cyprian does not hold back! You can feel his passionate love for Christ and the church through the pages. Totally recommend 5/5




“Let us await the sudden coming of Our Lord, ever attentive and on the alert, so that when He shall knock, our faith may be watching, ready to receive from Our Lord the reward of its vigil. Were but these commands obeyed, were but these warnings and precepts observed-it is impossible that we should be tricked and overcome by the devil in our sleep; from being watchful servants we shall, under Christ's lordship, come to reign ourselves.”

-St Cyprian

[Rohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is definitely a cross-cultural experience (e.g. he talks a lot about penance but what about grace?)
But the challenge to his culture on wealth is definitely applicable to our day too!

p.s. How good that these two treatises (out of quite a few) are collated in just one book, so I can tick it off on Goodreads woot!

[FatherSwithin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for the Work, the Translation, and the Notes. These are two important treatises (sermons/addresses) that the Church badly needs today.