Difference between revisions of "Martyr's Mirror"
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Approximately 2,500 Anabaptists were martyred by [[Protestantism|Protestants]] and [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholics]] in sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century [[Europe]] for [[treason]] to Church and State because of their rejection of [[infant baptism]] and denial of most of the tenets of traditional Christian doctrine. They were consequently subjected to the [[Inquisition]], both the Catholic Inquisition and the Protestant Inquisition. Those [[dissidents]] who refused to recant were handed over to the State as incorrigible, and were executed as [[Subversion|subversives]] and traitors. Their surviving brethren compiled stories of those who suffered and died for their faith into martyr books. The most historically and culturally significant of these, ''The Bloody Theater''—more commonly known as '''Martyrs Mirror'''—was assembled by the Dutch Mennonite minister Thieleman van Braght and published in 1660. | Approximately 2,500 Anabaptists were martyred by [[Protestantism|Protestants]] and [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholics]] in sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century [[Europe]] for [[treason]] to Church and State because of their rejection of [[infant baptism]] and denial of most of the tenets of traditional Christian doctrine. They were consequently subjected to the [[Inquisition]], both the Catholic Inquisition and the Protestant Inquisition. Those [[dissidents]] who refused to recant were handed over to the State as incorrigible, and were executed as [[Subversion|subversives]] and traitors. Their surviving brethren compiled stories of those who suffered and died for their faith into martyr books. The most historically and culturally significant of these, ''The Bloody Theater''—more commonly known as '''Martyrs Mirror'''—was assembled by the Dutch Mennonite minister Thieleman van Braght and published in 1660. | ||
| − | Martyrs Mirror was designed to teach believers how to live a proper Christian life. Accounts of the martyrs were intended to help remind readers of things that mattered, thus inspiring them to greater faithfulness. This iconic text remains a tool of [[revival]], stimulating new life in the communities and people who read it by revitalizing Anabaptist ideals and values, in opposition to Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran and mainstream churches that teach ''[[Infant baptism|paedobaptism]]''. Today, next to the Bible, it is the single most important text to Anabaptists—[[Amish]], [[Mennonite]]s, and [[Hutterian Brethren|Hutterites]]. Even today, the words and deeds of these martyred Christians are referenced in sermons, Sunday school lessons, and history books. It holds sacred status in contemporary Amish and Mennonite households. In some Anabaptist communities, it is passed to new generations as a wedding or graduation gift. | + | Martyrs Mirror was designed to teach believers how to live a proper Christian life. Accounts of the martyrs were intended to help remind readers of things that mattered, thus inspiring them to greater faithfulness. This iconic text remains a tool of [[revival]], stimulating new life in the communities and people who read it by revitalizing Anabaptist ideals and values, in opposition to Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian and other mainstream churches that teach ''[[Infant baptism|paedobaptism]]''. Today, next to the Bible, it is the single most important text to Anabaptists—[[Amish]], [[Mennonite]]s, and [[Hutterian Brethren|Hutterites]]. Even today, the words and deeds of these martyred Christians are referenced in sermons, Sunday school lessons, and history books. It holds sacred status in contemporary Amish and Mennonite households. In some Anabaptist communities, it is passed to new generations as a wedding or graduation gift. |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Latest revision as of 17:51, January 14, 2020
The Martyrs Mirror, also known as The Bloody Theater is a martyrology of those who suffered and died for the Anabaptist faith.
Approximately 2,500 Anabaptists were martyred by Protestants and Catholics in sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century Europe for treason to Church and State because of their rejection of infant baptism and denial of most of the tenets of traditional Christian doctrine. They were consequently subjected to the Inquisition, both the Catholic Inquisition and the Protestant Inquisition. Those dissidents who refused to recant were handed over to the State as incorrigible, and were executed as subversives and traitors. Their surviving brethren compiled stories of those who suffered and died for their faith into martyr books. The most historically and culturally significant of these, The Bloody Theater—more commonly known as Martyrs Mirror—was assembled by the Dutch Mennonite minister Thieleman van Braght and published in 1660.
Martyrs Mirror was designed to teach believers how to live a proper Christian life. Accounts of the martyrs were intended to help remind readers of things that mattered, thus inspiring them to greater faithfulness. This iconic text remains a tool of revival, stimulating new life in the communities and people who read it by revitalizing Anabaptist ideals and values, in opposition to Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian and other mainstream churches that teach paedobaptism. Today, next to the Bible, it is the single most important text to Anabaptists—Amish, Mennonites, and Hutterites. Even today, the words and deeds of these martyred Christians are referenced in sermons, Sunday school lessons, and history books. It holds sacred status in contemporary Amish and Mennonite households. In some Anabaptist communities, it is passed to new generations as a wedding or graduation gift.
See also
External links
Martyrs Mirror: A Social History, David L. Weaver-Zercher (jhupbooks.press.jhup.edu)
