Christian martyrdom was typically the end result of extreme persecution, which may have been rooted in three broad categories: Jewish persecution of the church – which was an extension of their hatred of Jesus; persecution that arose from local interests – where Christian moralities may have upset the local economy; and government sponsored persecution – because leadership either misinterpreted early church practices or simply needed a convenient scapegoat to cover up some of their own illicit activities.
Key Words
Martyrdom, persecution, suffering, Jewish persecution, cursed, crucified, false assumptions, theology, Nero, evil religion, Domitian, ritual taxes
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