Understanding Persecution in Early Christianity: Martyrs Class Overview
Exploring Christian Martyrdom
Would You Die for Your Faith?
Early Christians Did
Our Mission
At 'Martyrs and the Persecuted Church,' we delve into the profound lives and sacrifices of early Christian martyrs. Our interactive platform offers a comprehensive learning experience through readings, videos, and recordings. Students will explore the motivations behind these martyrs' actions and analyze the strategies employed by persecuted Christians. Additionally, our course delves into the historical context of pagan religious violence and the pivotal role of Christ's resurrection in ending the cycle of violence.
Reading for Classes
1 / Overview of the Course, September 1
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Syllabus
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Learn to Navigate Website: https://www.martyrpersecutedchurch.com/
2 / The Roots and Context of Christian Martyrdom, September 8
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Reading:
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Acts 6 and 7
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​Optional Reading and Videos:
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Girard: Animated intro to Mimetic Desire and Rivalry (3 min)
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Girard: Brief interview with Rene Girard (7 min)
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Girard Video: Mimetic Desire (2 min)
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Girard Video: Mimesis and Scapegoating (3 min)
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CS Lewis Reading: Christian Apologetics (pay attention to the words “thick” and “clear”)
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3 / Contrasting Jewish and Roman Persecution, September 15
Reading and Video:
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Acts 4:1-12, Acts 16, Acts 19:21ff, Galatians 2.
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Eusebius, The Martyrdom of Polycarp
Optional Reading/Videos:
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G. K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man: Chapter 7, The War of Gods and Demons (pp. 74-82).
4 / Understanding the Cult of the Martyrs: St. Agnes, the Geometry of Love, and Saints Days, September 22
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Reading:
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Optional Resource:
5 / The Benedict Strategy: Cappadocia, Cyprian, and the Monastics: When is it Right to Run and Hide, September 29
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Reading and Video:
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Video on the Benedict Option, Dreher (10 min)
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Optional Reading/Videos
6 / The Dessert Strategy: Anthony, Jerome, the Pillar-Saints, and the Desert Fathers, October 6
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Reading:
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Summary Reading on St. Anthony (pp. 1-9)
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Selected Readings: A Plea for Christians (Athenagoras the Athenian)
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Optional Reading/Videos
7 / Origen, Athanasius, and Boniface the Confrontational Strategy, October 13
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Reading or Video:
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The Gospel Coalition: Who was St. Athanasius and Why is He Important?
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Kevin DeYoung: Who Was St. Boniface?
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Optional Reading/Videos:
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Amusing Planet Post: Simon Stylites
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8 / The Impact of Great Martyrs of the Early Church: Lawrence, Sebastian, Perpetua and Felicity, October 20
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Reading and Videos:
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Perpetua and Felicity, The Acts of the Martyrs
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Lawrence, Joking through Martyrdom
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Optional Reading/Video:
9 / The Religion of Grace and the Culture of Shame: St. Augustine on Martyrdom/Suicide and The City of God, October 27
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Reading:
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First Things: “The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism” Aaron Renn
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Optional Reading/Video:
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Touchstone Article: “When Worlds Die” Peter Leithart
10 / The East/West Schism: Emperors and Theologians: A Comparison of St. John Chrysostom and St. Ambrose, November 3
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Reading:
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Orthodox Church in America: John Chrysostom
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Plough Quarterly: Letter from Ambrose to Theodosius Urging Repentance
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Optional Reading/Videos:
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Video on Hagia Sophia (I know it did not exist when Chrysostom was there)
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Bible Unleashed: John Chrysostom Video
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11 / Medieval Martyrs and Pre Reformation: Thomas Becket, John Wycliffe, and Jon Hus, November 10
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Reading:
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Reading from Gonzalez on Avignon Papacy and Council of Constance (which condemned Huss) (photocopy)
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Optional Reading/Videos:
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Becket (1964 Movie) (Free on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Peacock, Roku Channel)
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Music: “The Moldau” Smetana
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John Wycliffe Video (28min)
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John Huss (1977 Movie)
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12 / How the martyrs prepare us for current battles, November 17
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Reading/Listening:
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The Gospel Coalition (Australia): The Gospel of Cancel Culture
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David Kieffer Sermon: “Becoming a Really Good Bad Guy”
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Optional Video:
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Rosaria Butterfield “Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age”
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Special Project: Your Own Personal SWOT Analysis
13 / Sharing our Work, November 23
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Optional Videos:
Events
Class Previews and Class Work
Resources (Still Working on This Section)
Friends:
Writing Assignments
Week 1:
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Thoughts from Class
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Thoughts from Class
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