Uncovering the Truth: Examining the Myth of Persecution and How Early Christians Created a Narrative of Martyrdom

T. R.: I really enjoyed this book, it is full of excellent doccumentation on the mythology Christians often cling to concerning persecution. First of all, there was persecution but not the way our legends tell it. This is a schollarly book that is easily readable at the post High School level. Our legends become our Idols so the truth is often drowned out. Be brave and take a look at this work and understand that the amount of persecution we think happened didn't. Great JobProfessor Moss!

United States on Sep 06, 2023

Barry B.: Product gr8 but Amazon company garbage

United Kingdom on Oct 14, 2021

Linda A: A must read for all Christians and anyone interested in the historical development of the Christian church. Fascinating to discover the history behind the Christian martyr and persecution story.

Australia on Nov 01, 2018

Djacir Carvalho: A profa. Candida demonstra a falsidade das aludidas perseguições, diferencia os crimes civis e religiosos e explica as vantagens dos cristãos de todas eras em sustentar os mitos das perseguições. Trás o assunto para a perspectiva cristã: se alguém discorda das posições de qualquer grupo ou seita, a reação automática é alegar ser vítima de perseguição, uma espécie de síndrome de minoria, mesmo sendo em realidade a maioria dominante.

Brazil on Sep 22, 2015

Mark William: Das Buch ist INHALTLICH von einer Professorin sehr gut geschrieben. Das Buch ist für solche Leute gedacht, die Englisch sehr gut können. Es gab keine große Christenverfolgung. Insgesamt gab es nur insgesamt 12 Jahre Christenverfolgung in der Geschichte der Christenheit. Alles andere ist Lüge der Kirche und Pfaffen.

Germany on Jan 01, 2015

Marie-Claude L'Archer: Like a lot of books that I love, this one began by making me angry. There was no way the author could convince me of her point. Yet she mostly did ! Not that I could agree with everything she says, but she does have a lot of arguments worth consideration.

Canada on Feb 16, 2014

Nathan Bergstedt: As a recovering Christian, I've always been baffled by the cries of persecution by the faithful. Even in my former church, when I was a believing member, I found it strange that there seemed to be an air of fearfulness that one day we would be driven out of society and forced to meet as a congregation somewhere in the wilderness. But it was never complete fearfulness: there was a tinge of delight in this prospect, because it would mean that the end times were that much nearer.
But whether they liked it or not, and for what reason, it still never jived with the fact that I never saw anything that ever even closely resembled persecution against us! There were those who thought we were wrong because they thought their religion was right, but that hardly counts. I mean, sure we were persecuted, provided you disregard the definition of the word 'persecution.'
So anyway, when I discovered that this book existed, I knew I had to read it. It was too important. I had so many questions and the best I've ever been able to do is just hypothesize blindly a bit. And I'm happy to say the book didn't disappoint. It was a thoughtful, clearly laid out history of the early church and the...

United States on Jul 03, 2013

Melinda Bigsby: As someone who has long been interested in religious language about suffering, I found this book to be a very helpful explanation of the historical facts behind Christian ideas about martyrdom.
In particular, I appreciated that the book was very precise, and not at all sensationalistic, explaining that while early Christians were martyred, the scope and frequency of martyrdom is an unknown variable. In her discussion of what can be known about martyrdom, Moss shows the reader how and why early Christians drew upon martyrdom traditions from surrounding cultures, uncovering the way that martyrdom functioned in the ancient world so that we can later join her in her reflections on the contemporary impact of the idea of martyrdom.

As she engages in some of her "myth-busting" Moss is also sensitive to the fact that these are beloved traditions, thoughtfully asking what significance her conclusions will have for a broad audience of readers. When discussing the borrowing of ideas from other cultures, Moss reassures "Recognizing this fact should not unsettle the claims of Christians, ancient or modern. It is to be expected that, when early Christians sat down to write the stories...

United States on Mar 12, 2013