The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Christian Martyrdom - (Wiley Blackwell Companions to Religion) by Paul Middleton (Hardcover)
About this item
Highlights
- A unique, wide-ranging volume exploring the historical, religious, cultural, political, and social aspects of Christian martyrdom Although a well-studied and researched topic in early Christianity, martyrdom had become a relatively neglected subject of scholarship by the latter half of the 20th century.
- About the Author: Paul Middleton is Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Chester, UK.
- 560 Pages
- Religion + Beliefs, History
- Series Name: Wiley Blackwell Companions to Religion
Description
About the Book
"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 Synopsis
A unique, wide-ranging volume exploring the historical, religious, cultural, political, and social aspects of Christian martyrdom
Although a well-studied and researched topic in early Christianity, martyrdom had become a relatively neglected subject of scholarship by the latter half of the 20th century. However, in the years following the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, the study of martyrdom has experienced a remarkable resurgence. Heightened cultural, religious, and political debates about Islamic martyrdom have, in a large part, prompted increased interest in the role of martyrdom in the Christian tradition. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Christian Martyrdom is a comprehensive examination of the phenomenon from its beginnings to its role in the present day. This timely volume presents essays written by 30 prominent scholars that explore the fundamental concepts, key questions, and contemporary debates surrounding martyrdom in Christianity.
Broad in scope, this volume explores topics ranging from the origins, influences, and theology of martyrdom in the early church, with particular emphasis placed on the Martyr Acts, to contemporary issues of gender, identity construction, and the place of martyrdom in the modern church. Essays address the role of martyrdom after the establishment of Christendom, especially its crucial contribution during and after the Reformation period in the development of Christian and European national-building, as well as its role in forming Christian identities in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This important contribution to Christian scholarship:
- Offers the first comprehensive reference work to examine the topic of martyrdom throughout Christian history
- Includes an exploration of martyrdom and its links to traditions in Judaism and Islam
- Covers extensive geographical zones, time periods, and perspectives
- Provides topical commentary on Islamic martyrdom and its parallels to the Christian church
- Discusses hotly debated topics such as the extent of the Roman persecution of early Christians
The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Christian Martyrdom is an invaluable resource for scholars and students of religious studies, theology, and Christian history, as well as readers with interest in the topic of Christian martyrdom.
From the Back Cover
A UNIQUE, WIDE-RANGING VOLUME EXPLORING THE HISTORICAL, RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM
Although a well-studied and researched topic in early Christianity, martyrdom had become a relatively neglected subject of scholarship by the latter half of the twentieth century. However, in the years following the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, the study of martyrdom has experienced a remarkable resurgence. Heightened cultural, religious, and political debates about Islamic martyrdom have, in a large part, prompted increased interest in the role of martyrdom in the Christian tradition. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Christian Martyrdom is a comprehensive examination of the phenomenon from its beginnings to its role in the present day. This timely volume presents essays written by 30 prominent scholars that explore the fundamental concepts, key questions, and contemporary debates surrounding martyrdom in Christianity.
Broad in scope, this volume explores topics ranging from the origins, influences and theology of martyrdom in the early Church, with particular emphasis placed on the Martyr Acts, to contemporary issues of gender, identity construction, and the place of martyrdom in the modern Church. Essays address the role of martyrdom after the establishment of Christendom, especially its crucial contribution during and after the Reformation period in the development of Christian and European nation-building, as well as its role in forming Christian identities in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This important contribution to Christian scholarship:
- Offers the first comprehensive reference work to examine the topic of martyrdom throughout Christian history
- Includes an exploration of martyrdom and its links to traditions in Judaism and Islam
- Covers extensive geographical zones, time periods, and perspectives
- Provides topical commentary on Islamic martyrdom and its parallels to the Christian Church
- Discusses hotly debated topics such as the extent of the Roman persecution of early Christians
The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Christian Martyrdom is an invaluable resource for scholars and students of religious studies, theology, and Christian history, as well as readers with interest in the topic of Christian martyrdom.
Review Quotes
"Overall, this volume presents a needed correction to the sensationalist studies of martyrdom that have dominated the topic since the dawn of the 'War on Terror.'"
--Journal of Jesuit Studies, Volume 8: Issue 1
"A good Companion helps you to realise how multi-faceted a topic is and to explore several new dimensions of an area of study hitherto only skimmed. This one does exactly that."
--Anabaptism Today 3.1 April 2021
"This substantial and impressive volume delivers to readers dozens of compelling and diverse approaches to studying Christian martyrdom, the foci of which collectively span more than two millennia, virtually the entire globe, and an unexpectedly wide array of cultural and religious traditions."
--Church History, Volume 9: Issue 4, December 2021
About the Author
Paul Middleton is Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Chester, UK. He has published extensively on the topic of martyrdom, especially in early Christianity, as well as in Judaism and Islam. He is the author of Radical Martyrdom and Cosmic Conflict in Early Christianity; Martyrdom: A Guide for the Perplexed; and The Violence of the Lamb: Martyrs as Agents of Divine Judgement in the Book of Revelation.
