I thought it might be a nice thread to have discussing less known martyrs of the faith. Well known is also fine.
Who is your 1 favorite martyr; Men and women who died because they refused to let down their faith or their doctrinal perspective.
I'll start with Jan Hus (John Huss in English). I had in my mind that he was a German but turns out he was a Czech priest (sorry to anyone I misled accidentally); he was loved in Germany and executed there.
Hus lived about a century before the famous 95 theses were nailed to the church door.
He translated the teachings of a huge reformer who came before him, Wycliff.
When he preached from the pulpit he refused to simply read the gospels from the Catholic lectionary in Latin but he interpreted in the common language of the people so they could actually understand the gospels.
In the end he was burned alive at the stake as was the desire of the church of Rome and the local bishopric surely jealous of him. Hus was offered a pardon at the end if he just signed a confession that the doctrines of Wycliff (reformation) were wrong and it was a sin to translate the scripture into a vulgar tongue (i.e. German, Czech, etc.). As I recall reading decades ago in Fox's book of martyrs, Hus cried out when tempted by the pardon at his feet "away with it, away with it if you love my soul." As he burned to death he sang praises to G-d while banging on his chest (certainly due to pain of death by fire) until his life was gone.
These original reformers who gave their lives for their beliefs amaze me. I can not fathom having to make such a decision. He wasn't even asked to deny the Messiah or his faith; but only to deny his practices which helped promote a truer doctrine and understanding of the word. Can you imagine how many of us would rationalize signing the confession as Galileo had confessed to save his neck (not condemning Galileo who wouldn't sign!?).
What faith this man Hus had in our G-d to be able to give his life to light the fires of reformation and he has hardly any fame from it. Most never heard of this man who reportedly led a pious, and intellectual live (a PHD) loving the L-rd with his mind and deeds.
A faith expressed in righteous acts and refusal to conform to the cess-pool norms of the times.
May we all be granted such largeness of faith when we live in such times with any bible translation instantly available, original language dictionaries and resources, and nobody threatening our lives over doctrinal disagreements.
I can understand choosing death instead of denying our Messiah, but I can not understand death instead of compromising on principles.
Truly astounding.
Thank G-d for such people who truly started the reformation.
Who is your favorite or another favorite if I took yours?
Who is your 1 favorite martyr; Men and women who died because they refused to let down their faith or their doctrinal perspective.
I'll start with Jan Hus (John Huss in English). I had in my mind that he was a German but turns out he was a Czech priest (sorry to anyone I misled accidentally); he was loved in Germany and executed there.
Hus lived about a century before the famous 95 theses were nailed to the church door.
He translated the teachings of a huge reformer who came before him, Wycliff.
When he preached from the pulpit he refused to simply read the gospels from the Catholic lectionary in Latin but he interpreted in the common language of the people so they could actually understand the gospels.
In the end he was burned alive at the stake as was the desire of the church of Rome and the local bishopric surely jealous of him. Hus was offered a pardon at the end if he just signed a confession that the doctrines of Wycliff (reformation) were wrong and it was a sin to translate the scripture into a vulgar tongue (i.e. German, Czech, etc.). As I recall reading decades ago in Fox's book of martyrs, Hus cried out when tempted by the pardon at his feet "away with it, away with it if you love my soul." As he burned to death he sang praises to G-d while banging on his chest (certainly due to pain of death by fire) until his life was gone.
These original reformers who gave their lives for their beliefs amaze me. I can not fathom having to make such a decision. He wasn't even asked to deny the Messiah or his faith; but only to deny his practices which helped promote a truer doctrine and understanding of the word. Can you imagine how many of us would rationalize signing the confession as Galileo had confessed to save his neck (not condemning Galileo who wouldn't sign!?).
What faith this man Hus had in our G-d to be able to give his life to light the fires of reformation and he has hardly any fame from it. Most never heard of this man who reportedly led a pious, and intellectual live (a PHD) loving the L-rd with his mind and deeds.
A faith expressed in righteous acts and refusal to conform to the cess-pool norms of the times.
May we all be granted such largeness of faith when we live in such times with any bible translation instantly available, original language dictionaries and resources, and nobody threatening our lives over doctrinal disagreements.
I can understand choosing death instead of denying our Messiah, but I can not understand death instead of compromising on principles.
Truly astounding.
Thank G-d for such people who truly started the reformation.
Who is your favorite or another favorite if I took yours?
