martyr

Cost of discipleship

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More Christians have been martyred in the last 100 years than during the previous 19 centuries. In Third World countries, Islamic kingdoms, and Communist nations Christians have been killed by the millions. After World War I, for instance, over one million Armenian Christians were exterminated by the Turks. Today, in countries like Sudan, Muslim insurgents kill, enslave, and rape Christians almost at will. One of the most famous twentieth-century martyrs was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who fought for religious freedom in Nazi Germany. He was imprisoned and executed in 1945 as the war was coming to a close.

Impact: The early church leader Tertullian wrote during the Roman persecutions that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” What was true then is true today as the worldly sacrifice of brave Christians serves to inspire others to take their place and continue preaching the Gospel message.

English Reformation

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When the Lutheran revolt occurred in Germany England’s King Henry VIII wrote against the movement. The pope was pleased and gave the king the title of “Defender of the Faith.” Things fell apart when he fell for Anne Boleyn, a maid of honor of Queen Catherine of Aragon, whom he had married for the sake of an alliance with Spain. Because the special consent of the pope had been required for the marriage, a papal dispensation was necessary for an annulment. The pope was unwilling to grant the annulment because of how it would impact his relationship with Emperor Charles V, who was Catherine’s nephew. Cardinal Wolsey, Henry’s minister, was unable to get the pope’s consent and in his impatience, Henry declared himself the head of the Church in England and got the divorce through an English court. By this act of rebellion from Rome Henry rejected the ecclesiastical authority of the papacy. This change of headship of the English Church, however, did not mean that England became Protestant. It was in effect a nationalization of the Catholic Church. But it proved to be the first step in a series which in the end would take England away from its Catholic allegiance. Even the forceful policy of the king might not have carried the nation with him had it not been for other forces that were at work to undermine Catholicism. The remaining influence of Wycliffe and his Bible was one of these. A second was the effect of the Lutheran movement and of the writings of Luther, which found their way to England in spite of their blacklisting by Church authorities. A third influence was men like William Tyndale, translator of the first modern English Bible, and John Colet, an Oxford professor who used the New Testament as a basis for his lectures. A fourth cause was the popular dissatisfaction with the immorality of the priests and bishops for it was plain that the Church was squeezing all the money possible out of the pockets of the people.

Impact: The cumulative effect of these various influences prepared the public mind for Henry’s act of rebellion. Parliament was submissive enough to the king’s will to ratify his action and vote him the title of Supreme Head of the Church of England. It transferred to him the power of appointment of the higher clergy. Appeals to Rome were abolished and the dispensing power was given to the Archbishop of Canterbury. By these specific acts, the separation from Rome was made complete by 1535.

Early persecutions

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Early Christians were charged by pagans with being guilty of sedition and of conducting immoral gatherings in secret. Emperor Nero burned Christians on certain occasions to light his palace gardens. Domitian had persecuted believers because he was suspicious of their religious associations and their possible political ambitions. In Trajan’s time, about 100, Christians could be tried at will and punished with death if they were found guilty. This policy of judicial procedure was followed for 150 years. Prominent leaders at various times were victims of intolerance, including Ignatius, Polycarp, and Justin. Outbreaks of active persecution were severe at times in certain provinces, notably North Africa. After an outbreak of hostility in the reign of Septimius Severus Christians enjoyed a long period of immunity. This was favorable for the rapid growth of the church. Alarmed at this growth Emperor Decius inaugurated a renewed policy of suppression during his short reign; which was followed by Valerian, who adopted the same policy. Large numbers of persons were arrested and tortured, and many of them were put to death. Those who endured the persecution faithfully were spoken of as “confessors” and were honored by their fellow Christians. Again a period of toleration ensued for forty years, followed by the worst of all the persecutions, which raged for years.

Impact: The faithfulness of Christian martyrs had a great influence on those who witnessed their courage and, as a result, countless men and women converted to the faith.

First Christian Martyr

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In the period immediately after Christ’s death and resurrection, Christians were viewed as one of many local religions and were left alone. Only on occasion were believers silenced when their preaching threatened a public disturbance. But as time passed and the number of Christians multiplied a clash with the old order occurred. This first happened when Stephen was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem for preaching among the Hellenists that the sacrificial death of Jesus was more important than the letter of the Jewish law. To question the validity of the law was considered blasphemy. He was condemned and stoned to death.

Impact: The death of Stephen launched the first active persecution of believers. The arrest and execution of Christians became so frequent that they fled from the city for safety. Throughout Judea and Samaria they scattered, carrying with them the Gospel of Jesus.

Latimer, Hugh

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Hugh Latimer (c. 1485-1555) was an English bishop and martyr, Latimer was born in Leicestershire, England and received his education at Christ’s College, Cambridge. In 1530 he was appointed a royal chaplain and in 1535 he became the bishop of Worcester. His sermons calling for church reform led to his arrest, although Edward VI later freed him. When Mary Tudor became queen he was condemned for heresy and burned at the stake along with fellow reformer Nicholas Ridley. His popularity and courage helped embolden Protestant believers during the reign of Mary.