Martyrs in the History of Christianity by Franklyn J. Balasundaram (Ed.)
Martyrs in the History of Christianity return to religion-online 78 Martyrs in the History of Christianity by Franklyn J. Balasundaram (ed.) Rev. Dr. Franklyn J. Balasundaram was Professor in the Department of the History of Christianity , United Theological College, Bangalore, India. Published by the Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, Delhi, India 1997, for The United Theological College. This material was prepared for Religion Online by Ted and Winnie Brock. (ENTIRE BOOK) A biographical account of many Christian martyrs through the centuries, some not well known in the West. Each article is written by a student of Dr. Balasundaram as a project from his class based on the subject at The United Theological College in Bangalore, India. Despite the shortcomings of the text, the bravery of the great Christian martyrs comes through prominently. Preface The reasons for martyrdom in antiquity, in the Classical Period, and in the twentieth century. Part 1: Martyrs of the Early Era Chapter 1: The Martyrdom of Polycarp -- Bishop of Smyrna, By Priscilla Singh Christians, a rapidly growing group, claimed on moral and spiritual grounds exclusive loyalty to Christ and opted when confronted with loyalty to the Emperor for the Heavenly king they worshipped. Bishop Polycarp’s martyrdom makes it clear, however, that despite the intense hostility of an apparent majority, the persecutions of Christians in the region of Asia was limited and selective. Chapter 2: The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, by By L.H. Lalpekhlua In our context today where millions of people are in hunger and live in sub-human conditions on account of the unjust socioeconomic and political strictures of our country (India), Polycarp's faith in Jesus Christ challenges us to identify ourselves with the struggles of the poor and the oppressed for justice and liberation.
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