{"product_id":"death-in-the-name-of-god-isbn-9781394252923","title":"Death in the Name of God","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplores the evolution of martyrdom across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMartyrdom has long been a defining concept in religious traditions, shaping the identities of faith communities and influencing theological thought across centuries. \u003ci\u003eDeath in the Name of God: Martyrs and Martyrdom\u003c\/i\u003e traces the historical development of this powerful idea within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, examining how cultural, social, and political contexts have influenced evolving interpretations of martyrdom. Through a multidisciplinary lens, noted scholar Rebecca I. Denova provides a comprehensive analysis of how each tradition adapted and redefined martyrdom in response to changing historical circumstances. By offering historical depth and critical examination, the author helps readers understand how martyrdom has been utilized to define faith, legitimacy, and religious authority in different eras. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn accessible yet rigorous study of the roots and transformations of martyrdom, \u003ci\u003eDeath in the Name of God\u003c\/i\u003e features detailed historical context, primary source discussions, and thematic analyses. The book's three-tiered methodological framework—descriptive, comparative, and critical—guides readers through the role of martyrdom in shaping religious belief systems, including its origins in ancient traditions, its role in theological and political developments, and its continued significance in modern religious and social discourse. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn essential resource for understanding the enduring impact of martyrdom in Western religious thought, \u003ci\u003eDeath in the Name of God:\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eProvides a multidisciplinary analysis of martyrdom through history, incorporating anthropology, sociology, philosophy, and religious studies\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExplores how martyrdom developed in response to shifting historical and cultural contexts\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFeatures sections that offer deeper insight into key topics such as the evolution of Satan and distinctions in martyrdom between Sunni and Shi′a Islam\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExamines how martyrdom transitioned from an act of deliberate sacrifice to a modern concept of victimhood and social struggle\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIncludes timelines, figures, and archaeological findings to provide visual and historical context\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eOffering a non-theological, academic perspective that fosters objective discussion on a historically and politically charged topic, \u003ci\u003eDeath in the Name of God: Martyrs and Martyrdom\u003c\/i\u003e is perfect for courses in Religious Studies, History, Theology, and Middle Eastern Studies. It is particularly well-suited for degree programs in the liberal arts and social sciences, offering foundational knowledge for courses on the history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as broader discussions on religious violence and martyrdom in contemporary society. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePreface vii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eI Shared Concepts of Culture and Religion 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eII the Origins of Concepts of the Afterlife\/funeral Rituals 20\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIII the Traditions of Judaism 39\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExcursus I The Origins and Evolution of Satan 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIV Greco- Roman Concepts of the Noble Death and the Afterlife 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eV the Maccabee Revolt 99\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVI the Letters of Paul 118\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVII the Story of Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospels 139\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Acts of the Apostles: The Inclusion of Gentiles and Persecution 158\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Imperial Cult and Life and Death in the Roman Arenas 178\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInstitutional Development and Hierarchy of the Christian Churches 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXI the Invention of Orthodoxy and Heresy 220\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXII Christian Martyrs 231\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXIII Martyrdom in Judaism: the Rabbinic Tradition 253\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXIV The Christianization of the Roman Empire 264\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXV Monasticism and the Cult of the Saints 281\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXVI Augustine and the Western Tradition 297\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXVII The Emergence of Islam 313\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExcursus II Martyrdom in Sunni Islam and Shi’a Islam 335\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXVIII Martyrdom in the Middle Ages 341\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXIX The Protestant Reformation 364\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eXX Modern Martyrdom 380\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossary 412\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 439\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eREBECCA I. DENOVA\u003c\/b\u003e is Emeritus Instructor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, where she taught for over thirty years. Specializing in the religions of the ancient Mediterranean, she has published extensively on early Christianity, ancient Judaism, and Greco-Roman religious traditions. Her works include \u003ci\u003eGreek and Roman Religions\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Origins of Christianity and the New Testament\u003c\/i\u003e.   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Historical and Religious Study of Martyrdom from Antiquity to the Present\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom ancient sacrifices to modern political struggles, martyrdom has shaped religious thought and identity for millennia. \u003ci\u003eDeath in the Name of God: Martyrs and Martyrdom in the Western Tradition\u003c\/i\u003e explores the origins and evolution of martyrdom in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, revealing how historical and cultural contexts have transformed its meaning over time. Rebecca I. Denova traces how different societies have used martyrdom to define faith, authority, and communal identity, offering a comprehensive analysis of one of history’s most powerful religious concepts. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlending historical context with multidisciplinary insights, the author examines martyrdom as a function of religious, political, and social change. Reader-friendly chapters explore martyrdom’s role in shaping beliefs about the afterlife, religious persecution, and moral authority, drawing on sources from the Greco-Roman period to the modern world. With detailed case studies, excursuses on key topics, and comparative analyses of religious traditions, this textbook provides a balanced, academic approach to a controversial subject. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned for students, scholars, and general readers alike, \u003ci\u003eDeath in the Name of God\u003c\/i\u003e is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the historical, theological, and cultural dimensions of martyrdom. Ideal for courses in Religious Studies, History, and Middle Eastern Studies, it provides the foundational knowledge necessary for discussions on religious identity, violence, and sacrifice across time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley-Blackwell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47989028847845,"sku":"NP9781394252923","price":45.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781394252923.jpg?v=1761782503","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/death-in-the-name-of-god-isbn-9781394252923","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}