Description
Book SynopsisDoes martyrdom hurt? The obvious answer to this question is "yes." In this book, the author examines the original martyr texts of the second through fifth centuries, concluding that these narratives in fact seek to demonstrate the Christian martyrs' imperviousness to pain.
Trade Review"This excellent book will encourage a re-evaluation of early Christian martyr texts so that more attention is paid to the theological, christological, and eschatological commitments contained therein." * Journal of Early Christian Studies *
"... an impressive piece of work. It is well-written, well-structured, and well-argued. It is a must-read for any scholar interested in the beginnings of Christianity and martyrdom, ancient and current." * Reading Religion *
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction 1. Bodies in Pain: Ancient and Modern Horizons of Expectation 2. Text and Audience: Activating and Obstructing Expectations 3. Divine Analgesia: Painlessness in a Pain-Filled World 4. Whose Pain? Pain as a Locus of Meaning in Christian Martyr Texts 5. Narratives and Counternarratives: Discourse and Early Christian Martyr Texts Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index
