The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians by Braght

Description

The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians by Thieleman J. van Braght is a historical account, likely written in the mid-17th century. The book chronicles the experiences of Anabaptists—defenseless Christians who were baptized only upon confession of faith—who suffered persecution and martyrdom from the time of Christ up to 1660. It aims to both document their struggles and to inspire contemporary Christians with the stories of those who remained steadfast in their faith under extreme duress. The opening of the narrative introduces the reader to the structure and purpose of the work, focusing on the significance of martyrdom and the Christian practice of baptism, notably that of believers’ baptism versus infant baptism, which has been a point of contention within Christianity. The preface expresses gratitude to those who contributed to the preservation and translation of this extensive history, which intertwines theological reflections with the accounts of followers who stood firm in their beliefs despite facing intense persecution. This opening portion sets a reflective and reverent tone, preparing readers to engage with the harrowing yet faith-affirming tales of the martyrs to come. (This is an automatically generated summary.)