On the Ethics and Theology of Martyrdom: Lessons from the Early Christians
Persecution of Christians shows no signs of abating in certain regions of the world, such as the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Central America. Even in the United States Christianity has come increasingly under attack in the twenty-first century. In some instances, such persecutions have even led t...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Institution
[2020]
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| In: |
Cultural encounters
Year: 2020, Volume: 15, Issue: 2, Pages: 5-37 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) |
| Summary: | Persecution of Christians shows no signs of abating in certain regions of the world, such as the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Central America. Even in the United States Christianity has come increasingly under attack in the twenty-first century. In some instances, such persecutions have even led to people giving up their lives for the faith, that is becoming martyrs. Hence the time seems appropriate for an ethical and theological reflection on martyrdom. In particular this paper will address what the proper disposition and demeanor of a martyr should be, what should motivate one to undergo martyrdom, whether one can flee persecution or voluntarily turn oneself in to expedite one's martyrdom, whether one can deceive to avoid martyrdom, and whether one who dies in an act of violence against others can be considered a martyr. The paper argues that one should approach one's martyrdom in a state of calm hopefulness rather than exuberance or rushing toward one's death, that one should be primarily motivated by desire to imitate Christ and love even one's enemies, that one can and indeed should flee persecution if possible but one cannot commit a lie to avoid martyrdom, and finally that one who dies while committing an act of violence against others, especially innocents, cannot be considered a martyr. In order to facilitate this conversation, examination will be given to the accounts and theologies of martyrdom found in early Christianity. |
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| ISSN: | 1550-4891 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Cultural encounters
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