The Marvel Of Martyrdom

"This text examines the psychological effects of martyrdom and martyrs across the world. The authors discuss martyrdom and martyrs through the lens of current events, iconic historical figures, and popular culture"--

'The Marvel of Martyrdom' is about how martyrs can change the world and how self-sacrifice can change lives. The text starts with famous and influential martyrs, such as Jesus and Gandhi. But the pinnacles of martyrdom can only be reached via the plains of everyday selflessness. Every martyr examined began with smaller forms of self-sacrifice familiar to everyone - every parent, every lover, every friend. Every famous martyr succeeded in challenging injustice by appealing to people's capacity to appreciate self-sacrifice and to follow in the martyr's footsteps with sacrifices of their own. Unravelling how martyr stories spread from a few witnesses to millions of people, the authors consider martyrdom and self-sacrifice together in cases of notable martyrs (Andrej Sakharov) and less-well known ones (The Heaven's Hundred), fake martyrs (Horst Wessel), and fictional ones (Harry Potter).

The Last Martyr focuses on (1) the conflict between science and religion, (2) between atheism and theism, (3) between that philosophy and theology, and, (4) between that which is secular and that which is sacred - from a biblical/Christian perspective - cloaked in the context of contempory fiction. Many, within the Christian community, have protested through pen and pulpit about the derelict state of theChristian mind. This book -- The Last Martyr -- introduces and orients the reader to criticalbiblical/theological thinking -- with a clarity that fosters biblical thought and facilitates Bible comprehension -utilizing the fascinating narration that details the final journey of The Last Martyr! Before the 1st Coming of Christ, God gave John - the Last Prophet - Whose Death Closed The Old TestamentAge. Before the 2nd Coming of Christ, God gives another John. He is John - The Last Martyr - Whose Deathwill Close The New Testament Age.A theological thriller -- The Last Martyr -- Utilizes intriguing biblical symbols and symbolism, allegories,similes, powerful metaphors and other literary devices to increase the readers understanding of biblical truthand to enhance the value of the readers journey with John, the Last Martyr.Readers will explore Extraordinary Places, including Christ Cathedral: The Church Of The Final Judgment;the Grand Library of Christ Cathedral with its Hidden Treasures and Ancient Artifacts; The Chapel of theCandle, plus mysterious Gothic Cathedrals, Ancient Chapels, Labyrinths, Bell Towers and the other-worldlysite of the ancient Menorah whose majestic flames control the flow of time and history. Through The Last Martyr readers will marvel over the powerful imagery of Towering Frescoes depicting theGreat White Throne Judgment, the Judgment Seat of Christ, The Lamb's Book of Life, and many moremysterious medieval motifs and biblical images.

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.

Since the early days of Christianity, martyrdom has had a particularly honoured place, and 2020 will see the Catholic Church marking the fiftieth anniversary of the canonization of 40 martyrs killed during the Reformation in England and Wales. In this powerful exploration of the significance of martyrdom today, Catherine Pepinster looks at the lives of over a dozen martyrs, past and present, to consider how ideas about giving up your life for your faith have changed over the centuries, and especially the way martyrs often become caught up in the clash between religion and politics.

This study offers a new understanding of martyrdom across four religious traditions, analyzed through the lens of political theology.

A comprehensive comparison of the representations of early modern Protestant and Catholic martyrs.

"The surprises keep coming in La Salle's twisting debut thriller, in which good and evil aren't always black and white."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review From actor, director, producer, and author Eriq La Salle, comes the first in a heart-pounding crime thriller series. Every ten years, for the past 30 years, a dozen clergymen are killed, brutally murdered in twisted scenes emulating the deaths of Jesus and his disciples. Now, "The Martyr Maker" has set his mark on New York City. 30 years. 36 priests butchered. His bloodiest masterpiece is yet to come. The Laws of Depravity follows two NYPD detectives and an FBI agent as they race to catch a serial killer before he completes his last cycle of kills and disappears forever. Clerical transgressions at the heart of Spotlight meets the visceral horror of Thomas Harris's Red Dragon, for a gritty, dark story about of how some of the most trusted members of society fail. The Laws of Depravity raises eye-opening questions about faith when the lines between good and evil have blurred beyond recognition. Praise for Laws of Depravity: "Laws of Depravity may be the most engrossing book you read this year, bar none."—Lee Ashford, Reader's Favorites "...an utterly compelling and riveting thriller with echoes of the dark master, Thomas Harris. Here, La Salle also adds a surprising twist by weaving in a spiritual component that raises the narrative to lofty and thought-provoking levels. It's a wonderful accomplishment."—Leonard Chang, author of Over the Shoulder and Crossings "Actor and director Eriq La Salle's intense debut is a modern day parable cleverly masquerading as a crime novel. A muscular, gritty and spiritual thriller."—John Shors, bestselling author of Beneath a Marble Sky, Beside a Burning Sea, Dragon House, The Wishing Trees, and Cross Currents "Laws of Depravity will take you on a heart-pounding ride of vengeance, murder and atonement, never letting you rest until you've reached the final page."—Neal Baer, co-author of Kill Switch and former Executive Producer of "Law and Order S.V.U." "A gritty crime thriller, spiritual quest, and love story all woven into one compelling tale."—Publishers Weekly

Imprint -- Subvention -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- 1. Bodies in Pain: Ancient and Modern Horizons of Expectation -- 2. Text and Audience: Activating and Obstructing Expectations -- 3. Divine Analgesia: Painlessness in a Pain-Filled World -- 4. Whose Pain?: Pain as a Locus of Meaning in Christian Martyr Texts -- 5. Narratives and Counternarratives: Discourse and Early Christian Martyr Texts -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index