Title Cult of the dead : a brief history of Christianity / Kyle Smith

Published Oakland, California : University of California Press, [2022]

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Description 1 online resource (xxi, 333 pages) : illustrations Series Joan Palevsky imprint in classical literature Joan Palevsky imprint in classical literature. Contents The first of the dead -- The names of the dead -- The remains of the dead -- The feasts of the dead -- The living dead -- The miracles of the dead -- The war for the dead -- The legends of the dead Summary "The Cult of the Dead tells a strangely neglected yet all too obvious story: the history of Christianity is the history of a martyr cult. Of all the world's religions, it is Christianity that is most obsessed with violence, martyrdom, and the remains of the dead. From the time of the apostles to today, this mania for martyrs has profoundly affected all forms of Christian devotion and cultural expression, from its liturgy and literature to its art and architecture. In this fascinating and compelling new account of the past two thousand years of Christianity, Kyle Smith offers a new history of an old religion, ranging widely over ancient relics, the Reformation, medieval pilgrims, persecuted evangelicals, and many more besides. Through ten, character-driven chapters, Cult of the Dead takes readers on the grand tour of Christianity's rich cultural heritage, developed around and was sustained by the memory of its sainted martyrs. This book tells the story of how Christianity became-and remains-a cult of the dead"-- Provided by publisher Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on September 14, 2022) Subject Christian saints -- Cult -- History Christian martyrs -- Cult -- History Death -- Religious aspects -- History Church history -- Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600. RELIGION / Christianity / History Christian martyrs -- Cult. Christian saints -- Cult. Church history -- Primitive and early church. Death -- Religious aspects. Genre/Form History. Form Electronic book LC no. 2021060188 ISBN 0520975715 9780520975712

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