The Value of Martyrdom
Finding a book on leadership that has been in continuous print for over 300 years is not an easy feat. Having just purchased a myriad of books for the semester, I asked my husband if he could think of any “book of old.” He immediately mentioned the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs of which he had a copy. And old it was. A 1908 edition prepared by W. Grinton Berry of a book that was written in 1563 fit the criteria.
As I began reading the worn pages, I embarked on a mystifying journey of life in Christ, death for Christ, and the supreme sacrifice. The author, John Foxe (1516-1587), who was an academic and pastor, chronicles his research of martyrs, recounting their names. He begins with the persecution and martyrs of the early Christians under Nero and continues through the Inquistion and Reformation sharing the stories of John Huss, John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, William Tyndale, and many more. Foxe’s writing is raw and graphic with little left to the imagination. “Christians were burned alive, fed to wild animals, beheaded, crucified, scourged, scorched, and subjected to every kind of torture imaginable. Many were women and children.”[1] And yet, Foxe also skillfully portrays the peace, love and strength of these martyrs amid their suffering.
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs with its ability to signpost both suffering and strength became the book that shaped the Protestant identity of England.[2] It became immensely popular. “Copies of the original text (Acts and Monuments) were chained beside the Bible in churches of England, and even sailed with English pirates.”[3] Its popularity continued through the years and today “remains a significant historical and literary work, reflecting the religious and political tensions of its time and continuing to be of interest to scholars studying the English Reformation and religious history.”[4]
Though, the Book of Martyrs remains in print, our present-day American society has little comprehension of the sacrifice of faith on this level. European Scholars Kieran Flanagan and Peter C. Jupp write “It might seem that martyrs and martyrdom have vanished into history in contemporary Europe. For many, the amnesia surrounding the topic is justifiable, for the practice of self-sacrifice of a life for a cause seems distasteful in a modern era.[5]
As I read story after story of Foxe’s documentation, I felt a deep need for repentance in my own shallow faith that can timidly shy away from even mere words of rejection. I also felt an incredible awe of how the power of the gospel ignites such passion in believers. Their love for Christ had them willingly face the most horrific deaths in defense of their faith in Jesus Christ.
I am reminded of Matthew R. Petrusek’s admonition to the church in “Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture.” He warns today’s Christ follower to not be afraid of courage. The courage to stand up for truth and God’s moral law. He asks, “(Are we) forgetting that there are martyrs who still die for the faith every day?”[6]
So what does John Foxe have to tell us about leadership? It speaks of tenacity. To stand firm in what we know is true. To not waver and as Edwin H. Friedman would say, lead with self-differentiation and courage. But it also reminds us as leaders to remain true to Christ above all.
Theologian Gerald L. Sitter in his book, “Water from a Deep Well” wisely states “the value of their (martyrs) example is not in the martyrdom itself, however noble and courageous, but in their commitment to Christ’s lordship. That we might not have to die for Christ is irrelevant. How we live for Christ is the real issue.”[7]
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
[1] Donna Reidland, “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs | A Review,” Soul Survival (blog), July 9, 2018, https://donnareidland.com/linkup-foxes-book-of-martyrs/.
[2] “Book of Martyrs | Encyclopedia.Com,” accessed September 9, 2024, https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/book-martyrs.
[3] John Foxe, “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs,” All Books and Monographs by WMU Authors, January 1, 2013, https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/books/687.
[4] Brenker, “The Dark History of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs,” Lunatics Project, October 31, 2023, https://www.lunaticsproject.com/post/the-dark-history-of-foxe-s-book-of-martyrs.
[5] Kieran Flanagan and Peter C. Jupp, “Martyrs and Martyrdom,” Mortality 19, no. 2 (April 3, 2014): 105–16, https://doi.org/10.1080/13576275.2014.904848.
[6] Matthew R. Petrusik, Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture (Park Ridge, IL: Word on Fire Institute, 2023). 452-453.
[7] Gerald L. Sittser, Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books, 2007).
About the Author
Esther Edwards
Esther has served in ministry leadership for over 35 years. She is an ordained minister, an ICF and CCLC certified coach, and licensed coach trainer. Her and her husband have launched their own coaching practice, Enjoy the Journey Leadership Coaching and seek to train ministry leaders in the powerful skill of coaching. Esther loves hiking, reading, and experiencing new coffee shops with friends and family. She enjoys the journey with her husband, Keith, their four daughters, sons-in-law, and their five beautiful grandchildren.10 responses to “The Value of Martyrdom”
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Whew! Fed to wild animals? Burned alive? Sounds horrendous!
And to think, people in churches today get all bent out of shape about who is sitting in the wrong pew or if the cookies for coffee hour are arranged neatly on a doily or just slung on a plate, or if a certain song/hymn is sung or not sung.
But even as I wrote the paragraph above, I was reminded of those today who march in protests and get arrested (I’m thinking of Shane Claiborne, Cornell West, and many, many others… It’s not the same as literally being thrown into the lion’s den or tied to a stake and set on fire, but in some ways they are putting their lives on the line for their faith.
Kally,
Thanks for responding.
Honestly. I had a hard time reading the book because Foxe recounts story after story and all the details involved.
You are right. Sad to say, persecution for faith is still alive and well around the globe.
Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks!
Hi Esther,
I love how you ended, “How we live for Christ.”
Cathy Glei said out loud to me once (not quite sure of the circumstances – I think it was when we were doing Dr. LiVecche’s book).
She asked, “Am I ready to die for my faith?” She was clearly wrestling with the question.
I remember thinking, that I could not be a martyr. I have been resigned to “die by the sword.” Even to my ears that sounds rather fatalistic.
I may have had a change of heart. I no longer “live by the sword” I now swim in more Academic waters and so like Cathy I ask myself the question, would I die for my faith. Resounding yes, but also I would go down swinging.
Jesus told Peter to put away his sword, not throw it away. The sword went back into its sheath.
That describes me perfectly…I wait poised in the sheath…
Shalom.
Russell,
You and me both. I’m not sure I could humbly accept such a horrific fate. But then again we live in a time where there is a democracy that still reigns, though not perfectly. The martyrs had no recourse. No one to press charges against. No one to defend their citizen’s rights.
I guess we don’t know what we would do until we would be faced with the need to do so.
Thank you for your truly inspiring post. What a good reminder that those who went before us made great sacrifices that we can hardly fathom. I appreciate your encouragement to courageously live into the lordship of Christ, no matter what path He has us on. It makes me think of something Jason said on last week’s call. He was talking about three ways disciples of Jesus can have significant impact in the world, and here’s my summary from memory:
A select few will rise to positions of power and influence and can use their positions to truly make important changes for God’s glory.
The majority of us will glorify God by living faithfully as He calls us to in our day-to-day lives.
Some, in certain times and places, will walk the road of martyrdom and in that act of sacrifice there is the potential for great impact.
Kim,
Thanks for your response.
It’s easy to compare our own level of spirituality to those who truly gave their all for the sake of the gospel so your reminder of Jason’s quote puts it into perspective. God calls us all to have Kingdom impact but does not call us all to have the same assignment. Otherwise, we would all live in a sense of guilt and comparison continually. This is where I am reminded of your post on consistency. Whatever we are called to, be trustworthy and consistent.
Esther,
Thanks for a great and inspiring post. I never made it through the entire book. Suffering for our faith seems to be a foreign concept in the western world. There are many who suffer because of their faith, it may not always be by death, (though that certainly happens),but loss of homes, church buildings, livelihood, persecution, rejection and abuse by family, harassment, and imprisonment. These are the stories I hear. Why do you think Christians in the west reject or deny the possibility of suffering for our faith ?
That is a tough question, Jenny. Perhaps we haven’t had to, or are able to blend in enough not to have to stand up for anything. I would ask, what does sacrificing all look like for the sake of the gospel? God doesn’t ask everyone to suffer to extremes but we are called to suffer for the sake of Christ. (Phil. 1:29)
Also, we admire the courage of the martyrs, but there were also many that I’m sure loved Christ, but just couldn’t withstand the sacrifice and recanted. That must have been tough to handle in the church at the time. I’m sure there were divisions over that.
Esther,
The torture and brutality that the early Christians faced is not something I had heard much of before reading this book. I was horrified at the brutal descriptions of Christians being stretched, pulling limbs out of the sockets, burned like torches, and more. I wonder if this event in history has ever been made into a movie or series? So many have not heard of how Christians endured such persecution in the early church. While the book was graphic, I was grateful to have read it.
Cathy,
I remember hearing many stories about it growing up as well as stories of present day martyrs. I just had not known how severe it became during the Reformation. The book reminded me to truly keep the present day persecuted church in prayer.