The Purple Crown: The Politics of Martyrdom

by Tripp York

Book Overview

The Purple Crown exhibits how Christianity's ultimate act of witnessing, martyrdom, is an inherently political act. York argues that the path of Christianity leads to a confrontation with the same... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0836193938
• ISBN13: 9780836193930
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Herald Press (VA)
• Length: 199 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.6" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

martyrs (once upon a time)

It's amazing that we live in a culture in which Christianity is the air we breathe, yet the North American church is completely incapable of producing the ultimate act of Christian fidelity: martyrdom. Where are our martyrs? The first couple of chapters describes the church's understanding of Christian practice, evil, the body, its opponents, etc., in order to illuminate how it was that the church had so many willing to peaceably die for Christ, yet the church continued to grow. There were no church marketing strategies in the early church, no lovely sanctuaries, no banal choruses meant to entertain, just a people willing to give their lives rather than disobey Jesus. It is worth buying the book just to learn from the first two chapters. The third chapter deals with the brutal 16th century where Christians were killing other Christians in the name of political gain (as well as over issues of doctrinal concern). This may be the most interesting chapter of the bunch as it sets up his argument in the latter chapters (as well as shows a genuine concern for how to move forward in the ecumenical movement). He includes a strong chapter on religion and politics and how martyrdom serves as a political practice enacted by the church against (and for) the secular state, and then concludes with a biography of the assassinated archbishop Oscar Romero as a test case of sorts for his argument. I gained much from this book. It is theologically rich, yet accessible and inspiring. The witness of the martyrs (the word martyr means witness) offers some of the most profound theology our church has ever produced. This is a crucial read for those concerned with where our church is now and where it needs to be.

Who would you vote for?

Like any other work Tripp York has done, The Purple Crown: The Politics of Martyrdom has a voice all of its own. Purple Crown is clearly authoritative in its field; however, it is much more interesting than any competitor. The information is presented in a thought provoking manner which questions the very core of "taught" religious concepts. It presents the distinct line between being a citizen and being a religious follower. Should one go against their religious beliefs for their government? York would say no. Religion definitely has a governance of its own, something that should be adhered to if one is truly religious. At the end it all comes down to the politics.

A very important read...

Finally, a book that understands both the public and political nature of Christian witness and practices without buying into the false dichotomy presented by both the left and the right. York offers a text that presents not just another alternative to our understanding of politics, a but a genuine politic rooted in the lives and deaths of those that the church has called 'martyrs.' An important and timely read that offers the potential for a philosophy that, to quote Peter Maurin, is so 'old, it looks new.' This contains a strong biography on Oscar Romero as well.

Informative and Captivating

A perfect read for anyone interested in exploring more deeply the connection between being Christian and being a citizen. Especially important for students of religion as it spans thousands of years of theological thought and brings together the inspiring stories of the saints and martyrs who made the ultimate political witness. Seriously good stuff.

Christianity, Martyrdom and Politics....

By far, one of the more comprehensive and interesting accounts of martyrdom in contemporary culture. York's account of the martyrs' politics calls into question all current forms of what we consider to be politics and demands that Christians, who so love their martyrs, take more seriously the subversive and nonconformist practices of Christianity greatest practitioners. This is a book that will be both widely read and heavily debated.