Martyrdom and the Christian Church
Jake Eudene
Background
The concept of martyrdom in the Christian church came about after the crucifixion of the Messiah, Jesus, and the persecution of his followers. The start of martyrdom in Christianity began with the apostles and their death in the name of Christianity[1]. The martyrs of Christianity helped further the Christian belief in that “the martyrs’ blood is the seed of Christians[2].”
Turning Point
The period of martyrdom began during the first 300 years of Christian history. With the violence following the crucifixion of Jesus “The faithful everywhere lived in an atmosphere of witness by blood.” The Roman Empire instigated this violence with the Ten Persecutions. Such a volatile atmosphere meant that the probability of “being called to die for the name of the Lord Christ was never far away[3].”
The next step for martyrdom in the Christian church was the martyring of women in the name of the Lord. Most women martyrs had to go through immense suffering to reach martyrdom in the eyes of the church. They achieved this status mainly through preserving their virginity for their savior the Lord Christ[4].
Effect
The possibility of achieving martyrdom through protecting the name of the Lord made dying for the church an easier task for followers. Martyrdom became “the highest point of the spiritual priesthood of holiness[5].”
During the 300 years of martyrdom in the first years of the Christian church essential features of a martyr arose. A basic guideline to martyrdom was generated during this time which included that: the saint refuses to participate in Pagan sacrifices, debates her antagonist, affirms the fundamental tenets of Christianity, destroys idols, performs miracles, and endures excruciating torments[6].” If all of this is done in the name of the Lord, a person would be recognized as a martyr on the eyes of the church.
[1] William Byron Forbush. “Fox’s Book of Martyrs.” Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 1926: 2.
[2] Donald Attwater. “Martyrs: From St. Stephen to John Tung.” Sheed & Ward. 1958: xiv.
[3] Donald Attwater. “Martyrs: From St. Stephen to John Tung.” Sheed & Ward. 1958: xiv.
[4] Karen A. Winstead. “Virgin Martyrs.” Cornell University Press. 1997: 4.
[5] Donald Attwater. “Martyrs: From St. Stephen to John Tung.” Sheed & Ward. 1958: xiv.
[6] Karen A. Winstead. “Virgin Martyrs.” Cornell University Press. 1997: 5.
Bibliography
Karen A. Winstead. “Virgin Martyrs.” Cornell University Press. Ithaca and London.
1997: 1-20.
Donald Attwater. “Martyrs: From St. Stephen to John Tung.” Sheed & Ward. London.
1958: i – xx
William Byron Forbush, D.D. “Fox’s Book of Martyrs.” Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
New York. 1926: 1 - 33
Jake Eudene
Background
The concept of martyrdom in the Christian church came about after the crucifixion of the Messiah, Jesus, and the persecution of his followers. The start of martyrdom in Christianity began with the apostles and their death in the name of Christianity[1]. The martyrs of Christianity helped further the Christian belief in that “the martyrs’ blood is the seed of Christians[2].”
Turning Point
The period of martyrdom began during the first 300 years of Christian history. With the violence following the crucifixion of Jesus “The faithful everywhere lived in an atmosphere of witness by blood.” The Roman Empire instigated this violence with the Ten Persecutions. Such a volatile atmosphere meant that the probability of “being called to die for the name of the Lord Christ was never far away[3].”
The next step for martyrdom in the Christian church was the martyring of women in the name of the Lord. Most women martyrs had to go through immense suffering to reach martyrdom in the eyes of the church. They achieved this status mainly through preserving their virginity for their savior the Lord Christ[4].
Effect
The possibility of achieving martyrdom through protecting the name of the Lord made dying for the church an easier task for followers. Martyrdom became “the highest point of the spiritual priesthood of holiness[5].”
During the 300 years of martyrdom in the first years of the Christian church essential features of a martyr arose. A basic guideline to martyrdom was generated during this time which included that: the saint refuses to participate in Pagan sacrifices, debates her antagonist, affirms the fundamental tenets of Christianity, destroys idols, performs miracles, and endures excruciating torments[6].” If all of this is done in the name of the Lord, a person would be recognized as a martyr on the eyes of the church.
[1] William Byron Forbush. “Fox’s Book of Martyrs.” Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 1926: 2.
[2] Donald Attwater. “Martyrs: From St. Stephen to John Tung.” Sheed & Ward. 1958: xiv.
[3] Donald Attwater. “Martyrs: From St. Stephen to John Tung.” Sheed & Ward. 1958: xiv.
[4] Karen A. Winstead. “Virgin Martyrs.” Cornell University Press. 1997: 4.
[5] Donald Attwater. “Martyrs: From St. Stephen to John Tung.” Sheed & Ward. 1958: xiv.
[6] Karen A. Winstead. “Virgin Martyrs.” Cornell University Press. 1997: 5.
Bibliography
Karen A. Winstead. “Virgin Martyrs.” Cornell University Press. Ithaca and London.
1997: 1-20.
Donald Attwater. “Martyrs: From St. Stephen to John Tung.” Sheed & Ward. London.
1958: i – xx
William Byron Forbush, D.D. “Fox’s Book of Martyrs.” Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
New York. 1926: 1 - 33