Martyrdom
Why martyrs still matter
by Catherine Pepinster
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Pub Date Oct 22 2020 | Archive Date Oct 12 2020
SPCK | SPCK Publishing
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Description
It was the Roman writer Tertullian who said, 'The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church'.
From its origins, martyrdom has had a particularly honoured place in Christianity. This will be confirmed again in 2020 when the Catholic Church marks the fiftieth anniversary of the canonization of the 40 Catholic Reformation martyrs of England and Wales by Pope Paul VI. The sacrifices of Catholics at the time of the Reformation were matched by those of Anglicans who were also persecuted and executed for their faith, for refusing to renounce it or change to another one.
This book examines the significance of martyrdom for Christians today, particularly for the British, and analyses how churches today deal with past martyrdoms of Christians by other Christians. Pepinster explores how ideas of martyrdom have changed over the centuries and considers what the stories of particular martyrs tell us today. She studies how martyrdom is powerfully connected with the clash between religious beliefs and political creeds, and refers to Thomas Becket and Thomas More, and the confrontation between Nazism and Christianity, and cites more recent examples of Oscar Romero, Dorothy Stang and Martin Luther King. The book also looks at the issue of conscience, ideas about heroism, the role of violence in Christianity and the impact of martyrdom on the arts.
It also considers how martyrdom is perceived today when it is often part of a narrative about religious fundamentalism and terrorist atrocities.
Advance Praise
‘Catherine Pepinster shows how martyrdom is not just about unimaginably courageous individuals but also about the hopes and prayers of the whole of Christ’s body. As such, it is a sign of healing and reconciliation; we see how the sacrificial love of the martyr reaches beyond any single cause or issue and embraces the world with Christ’s indiscriminate compassion.’
Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury
‘What cause might be worth dying for? Impeccably scholarly but also grippingly accessible, Catherine Pepinster’s history of martyrdom ranges from St Peter to “suicide bombers”. This is a compelling book about the theology and politics of those who – deliberately or accidentally – give their lives for their beliefs.’
Mark Lawson, broadcaster, arts journalist and author
‘This engaging and inspiring book offers a panoramic study of Christian martyrdom in its history, motives, contexts and cultural representations. I highly recommend it.’
Professor Tina Beattie, author of Eve’s Pilgrimage
‘A glorious book – subtle, inspiring, beautifully written and expertly researched. But Martyrdom is not simply a recitation of the martyrs’ tales, fascinating though they are. It is a profound look at the entire concept of martyrdom, now reclaimed for our time.’
James Martin SJ, author of My Life with the Saints
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780281081653 |
| PRICE | $34.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
