Narrow your search

Library

KU Leuven (2)

UAntwerpen (1)

UGent (1)


Resource type

book (2)


Language

English (2)


Year
From To Submit

2023 (1)

2020 (1)

Listing 1 - 2 of 2
Sort by

Book
The Wiley Blackwell companion to Christian martyrdom
Author:
ISBN: 9781119099826 111909982X 9781119100041 9781119100027 Year: 2020 Publisher: Hoboken John Wiley & Sons

Loading...
Export citation

Choose an application

Bookmark

Abstract

"Martyrdom is one of the most significant religious issues facing the world in the twenty-first century. While once praised as heroes prepared to die for their beliefs, since 9/11 the figure of the martyr is more likely to invoke fear and suspicion of their extreme uncompromising commitments. While today, the martyr might be associated with Islam, martyrdom was and remains a significant factor in the development of Christianity and Christian identity, and was no less controversial. From its origins as a small persecuted sect at the fringes of the Roman Empire to the world's largest religion, martyrdom has been a crucial element in Christian identity formation. This unique and authoritative volume brings together more than 30 authors to reflect on the contested place of martyrdom in Christianity from its troubled beginnings, the fires of the Reformation, expansion throughout the world, to the present day"--


Book
Rethinking Christian Martyrdom : the blood or the seed?
Author:
ISBN: 135018425X 9781350184251 9781350184275 9781350184268 Year: 2023 Publisher: London Bloomsbury Academic

Loading...
Export citation

Choose an application

Bookmark

Abstract

This book argues that we have been mistaken about the fundamental assumption that Christianity is the key to understanding the “Christian” martyr. Examining martyrdom in early Christian history, Matt Recla argues that the violent deaths of martyrs, real and imagined, were appropriated for Christian institutional life. Through deconstructing martyrdom and appreciating the complexity of the martyr, we recognize martyrdom not as a socio-historical phenomenon inherent to particular ideologies, and not as a religious “identity” but as the institutional co-optation of violence. The Christian apologist Tertullian argued that the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church, but while the seed may be the key to martyrdom, the blood is the key to the martyr.The book shows how martyrs exceed the bounds of institutional narrative. Centering analysis of martyrdom first around the martyr's existential difference and the complex biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors that lead to willing death, this book sheds new light on the motivations of martyrs, our fascination with them, and the parasitic relationship of religion to violent death.In challenging long-held beliefs about the praiseworthiness of martyrdom, this book is of interest to scholars of religion as well as those concerned about the relationship between religion and violence.

Listing 1 - 2 of 2
Sort by