i. the “myth and reality” of persecution in the early church ch-625-early church (tsm) lesson-05...
TRANSCRIPT
I. The “Myth and Reality” I. The “Myth and Reality” of Persecution in the Early of Persecution in the Early
ChurchChurch
A “continual bloodbath of myriads upon myriads of A “continual bloodbath of myriads upon myriads of numberless Christians” ? numberless Christians” ? (Guy, p. 50)(Guy, p. 50)
II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions
A.A. New Testament period New Testament period to Neronian to Neronian Persecution (54-68)Persecution (54-68)
• Stephen’s stoning Stephen’s stoning (Acts 6-7)(Acts 6-7)
• Apostles Peter and Apostles Peter and Paul martyred in 65Paul martyred in 65
Peter’s Tomb by Pedro Berruguete
II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions
B. From Domitian B. From Domitian (81-(81-
96)96) to Trajan to Trajan (98-117)(98-117)
• Pliny & Trajan’s Pliny & Trajan’s correspondence correspondence ((ca. ca. 112)112)
Trajan
II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions
C.C. From Hadrian From Hadrian (117-(117-
38)38) to Septimus to Septimus Severus Severus (193-211) (193-211)
• martyrdoms of martyrdoms of Polycarp, Perpetua, Polycarp, Perpetua, Felicity, Felicity, ca.ca. 155 155
II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions
D. From Decius D. From Decius (249-(249-
251)251) to Valerian to Valerian (253-260)(253-260)
• Cyprian’s martyrdom Cyprian’s martyrdom in 258in 258
II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions
E. The “Great E. The “Great Persecution” of Persecution” of Diocletian Diocletian (284-305), (284-305), beginning in 303beginning in 303
Diocletian
II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions
F. The varied F. The varied reasons for these reasons for these
persecutions?persecutions?
Trajan’s Forum & Market
III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom
actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?
A. A. Martyr Martyr v. v. ConfessorConfessor
Ignatius of Antiochmartyred 110
III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom
actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?
B. Roots of the martyr B. Roots of the martyr ideal—the ideal—the Maccabean RevoltMaccabean Revolt (173-164 B.C.)(173-164 B.C.)
Icon of the Maccabean Martyrs
III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom
actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?
C. Why not armed C. Why not armed resistance?resistance?
Barna da Sienna, 14th c.
III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom
actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?
D. The precedent of St. Stephen D. The precedent of St. Stephen (Acts 6-7)(Acts 6-7)
The Stoning of Stephenby Pietro da Cortona
III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom
actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?
E.E. Further developments in the Further developments in the meaning and significance of meaning and significance of the martyrs the martyrs (William G. Bixler)(William G. Bixler)
1.1. The ultimate contextThe ultimate context
2.2. The ultimate companionThe ultimate companion
3.3. The ultimate crownThe ultimate crown
4.4. From love to venerationFrom love to veneration
Icon of Ignatius of Antiochmartyred in 110
IV. The Case of PolycarpIV. The Case of Polycarp