Cyprian’s Scriptural Hermeneutic of Identity: The Laxist ‘Heresy’

Abstract

AbstractScholars have widely noted Cyprian as a key figure in the development of the episcopate, a point which too often eclipses his use of scripture in scholarly studies of his writings. Cyprian himself claims a scriptural basis for his episcopal authority and for his teachings on ecclesial unity. His works need to be reread, therefore, in light of his construction of identities, namely his own “orthodox” identity in contrast to the “schismatic” identity of his opponents which he demarcates along the lines of scripturally informed/loyal and scripturally aberrant. The following article explores Cyprian’s social identities as constructed in his early works which address the laxist controversy.