Born to New Life

An introduction to the writings of Cyprian who was Bishop of Carthage and an important Early Christian writer. 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 soon after in 249. A controversial figure during his lifetime, his strong pastoral skills, firm conduct during the Novatianist heresy and outbreak of the plague, and eventual martyrdom at Carthage vindicated his reputation and proved his sanctity in the eyes of the Church. His skillful Latin rhetoric led to his being considered the pre-eminent Latin writer of Western Christianity until Jerome and Augustine. This is part of a mini-series which comprises of four titles, each of which contains specially chosen passages from the timeless writings of some of the best known of the Fathers of the Church. They serve both as an introduction to the Patristic writings and as a rich source of personal reflection and meditation.