The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity

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The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity
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Martyrs

• Contemporary examples?
• In Roman Empire Sporadic persecutions of
  Christians
• Suspected persons asked to make sacrifice to the
  emperor
• If they refused, could be put on trial and
  executed
• Ironically, fed growth of Christianity. Why?
• Meaning
• For self
• For others
• Other meanings?

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Perpetuas community

• Very mixed male and female friendships, slaves
  and nobles
• Why/how are they able to overcome these social
  divisions?
• Montanist group
• Open to ongoing work of Holy Spirit (see intro)
• Prophets and leaders could be male and female
• Emphasis on visions, prophecies (speaking
  messages from Holy Spirit)
• Editor of Perpetuas story (wrote intro and
  conclusion) shows these themes

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Themes

• Family division
• How does Perpetuas relation with her birth
  family shape her Christian identity?
• Ideas of discipleship
• How do Perpetua, Felicity, and others connect
  themselves to Christ?
• New kind of Christian literature
• What did it mean to 3rd century audience?
• Gender role subversion
• What leadership do we see in this group?
• How is Perpetua masculine? How is she feminine
  (cultural norms)?
• Martyrdom and faith
• What is accomplished for Christianity by
  martyrdom?
• Could this be accomplished in other ways?

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For next time

• Longer readings, but interesting
• Focus on Norris article
• Electronic reserve password kloos
• How does she define virginity?
• Does she make these stories more relevant today?
  Why or why not?
• Thecla Contrast to New Testament writings how
  is she a minister/apostle?