Sign-In
Cart
Cyprian of Carthage for Beginners
Paperback
Publisher: Leo Eusebius
Published: Feb 11 2026
Pages: 102
Weight: 0.32
Height: 0.21 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
When a wealthy pagan orator became bishop of Carthage in 248 AD, no one predicted he would die a martyr just ten years later-or that his writings would shape Christianity for seventeen centuries.
Cyprian of Carthage stood at the center of early Christianity's most critical decade. Emperor Decius launched the first empire-wide persecution (250 AD), designed not to kill Christians but to make them apostatize. When thousands denied their faith under torture, the Church faced an existential crisis: could apostates return? Then came the Great Plague (252-270 AD), killing millions while Christians organized relief efforts that confounded pagan critics. Finally, the Valerian persecution targeted bishops specifically, leading to Cyprian's execution on September 14, 258.
This converted rhetorician wrote letters and treatises that defined Catholic theology on Church unity, sacramental validity, and episcopal authority. His declaration-You cannot have God for your Father if you refuse to have the Church for your Mother-became foundational doctrine. His conflict with Rome's bishop over baptism raised questions about papal primacy that Christians still debate. His commentary on the Lord's Prayer remains the earliest Latin exposition of that text.
This book makes Cyprian accessible while maintaining scholarly rigor. You'll follow his conversion from paganism, his controversial flight during persecution, his navigation of the lapsed controversy, and his final witness as martyr. You'll understand why Augustine cited him constantly and how his ecclesiology influenced doctrine through Vatican II.
This biography places Cyprian within the Crisis of the Third Century when Rome nearly collapsed. You'll see how Christianity survived and grew precisely when the empire seemed to be dying.
What you'll gain:
- Understanding of the Decian and Valerian persecutions
- Analysis of Cyprian's major works on unity, lapse, prayer, and mortality
- Insight into third-century sacramental theology and Church governance
- Appreciation for a bishop who sealed his theology with his blood
The field where Cyprian died is forgotten. But his words endure. This is his story - and through him, Christianity's most formative century.
Also in
General Christianity
The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations
Metzger, Bruce M.
Hardcover
The Destiny of Modern Societies: The Calvinist Predestination of a New Society
Zafirovski, Milan
Paperback
The Death of Christ: The Bible and Popular Culture Vs Archaeological and Historical Evidence
Rutledge, Steven
Hardcover
Who Killed Jesus?: Exposing the Roots of Anti-Semitism in the Gospel Story of the Death of Jesus
John Dominic Crossan
Hardcover
The Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes: The Initiatory Teachings of the Last Supper
Gaffney, Mark H.
Paperback
A Child Shall Lead Them PB: Martin Luther King Jr., Young People, and the Movement
Burrow, Rufus
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
The Unseen Battle: Spiritual Warfare, the Three Rebellions, and Christ's Victory Over Dark Powers
Muddamalle, Joel
Paperback
Becoming Like Jesus Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on the Beatitudes
Chandler, Matt
Paperback
Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within
Mitchell, Philip Anthony
Hardcover
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks Revised and Updated: A Year-Long Bible Study
Lucado, Max
Paperback
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
The Elijah Mandate: A Call to Courageous Faith in a Hostile World
Piflaks, Tolik
Tsarfati, Amir
Paperback
Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition: The Story of the Church for Today's Readers
Shelley, Bruce
Paperback
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation
Kobes Du Mez, Kristin
Paperback
Christian Beliefs, Revised Edition: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know
Grudem, Wayne A.
Paperback
Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them
Strong, Jeff
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Hardcover
Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy
Jones, Robert P.
Hardcover
Jesus & Your Mental Health: Linking God's Word and Modern Science to Find Peace about Mental Health
Maxwell Lmft, Rebecca
Paperback
Friendship in the Lord: A Catholic Classic on Holy Friendship and Life in Christ a Christian Classic
Hinnebusch Op, Paul
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Pope Leo XIV, XIV
Paperback
Determined to Believe?: The Sovereignty of God, Freedom, Faith, and Human Responsibility
Lennox, John C.
Paperback
When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without
Story, Laura
Paperback
The War on Reality: Recovering Truth in a World That Celebrates Lies
Turek, Frank
Hayes, Phoenix
Paperback
Sounding the Seasons Enlarged Edition: One Hundred and Ten Sonnets for the Christian Year
Guite, Malcolm
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important That Happens in Between
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
Making Your Case for Christ Bible Study Guide: An Action Plan for Sharing What You Believe and Why
Mittelberg, Mark
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume
Robinson, James M.
Meyer, Marvin W.
Paperback
Tactics Study Guide, Updated and Expanded: A Guide to Effectively Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
The Unoffendable Heart: Breaking Free from the Cycle of Offense to Live in Freedom, Love, and Forgiveness
Signorelli, Mike
Paperback
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
Comer, John Mark
Hardcover
Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd Edition
Concordia Publishing House
Hardcover
Bloodline Deliverance Study Manual: How to Set Yourself, Your Family, and Your Bloodline Free from Demons and Curses
Brewer, Mike
Brewer, Andrea
Paperback
The Official Study Guide to I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Geisler, Norman L.
Jimenez, Jason
Paperback
Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West
Ehrman, Bart D.
Hardcover
Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You
Burke, John
Paperback
The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
Evidence That Demands a Verdict Bible Study Guide: Jesus and the Gospels
McDowell, Sean
McDowell, Josh
Paperback
All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha: 300 Books in Print Plus Audiobook, Videos, and Thousands of Digital Books
Publishing, Dunatos
Hardcover
God's Irreplaceable People: Israel's Continuing Story Through the Pages of the New Testament
Tsarfati, Amir
Paperback
Every Moment Holy: Death, Grief, and Hope: (Pocket Edition) (Over 100 Prayers and Illustrations for Finding Purpose & Hope During Seasons of Loss or S
McKelvey, Douglas Kaine
Hardcover
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Station Wagon and Griswold Family Tree: With Sound!
Running Press
Paperback
A Christmas Carol Devotional: 25 Advent Reflections from Charles Dickens's Beloved Classic (25 Daily Devotions)
Dodge, Rachel
Hardcover
The Two Swords of Christ: Five Centuries of War Between Islam and the Warrior Monks of Christendom
Ibrahim, Raymond
Hardcover
Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth
Hall, Mark David
Paperback