Title: Martyrdom - Christian, Kenya Chapter 1498 CE to 2020 CE Portuguese, Mau Mau, Al-Shabaab Related and other Martyrs also Biblical and Early Christian Martyrdom
Description: The aim of this book is to fill a gap that has existed hitherto, namely that there does not seem to have been any account covering the full story of persecution and martyrdom of Christians in Kenya from the time Christianity was introduced by the Portuguese in Kenya in 1498 CE, to the present (2020 CE). Its aim is to furnish profounder understanding and knowledge of where Christian martyrdom evolved or originated from, and how the suffering and martyrdom described in the Old Testament and also foretold and described in the New Testament, relates to our Christian walk with God. Also to provide a deeper knowledge of the contrast and difference between martyrdom and suicide. It will also show that Jesus Christ’s death was neither suicide, nor martyrdom, but was rather a ‘SACRIFICE’. There will also be an explanation of why God (Yahweh) promised and gave to Abraham and his descendants the land that was already occupied by other people (mainly the Canaanites).
In the Old Testament, the religion of the Jews was Judaism, which was a religion of martyrdom. Adherents of Judaism were ready to die for the sake of Divine law. In Christianity, the followers of Jesus were ready to die rather than do anything that they believed was ungodly and not in keeping with the teachings and expectation of Jesus Christ. This is in keeping with the thesis of this book, which is martyrdom. The simplest definition of martyrdom is readiness to die rather than recant one’s religious belief.
Additionally the book will provide an explanation and understanding of what Jesus meant when he repeatedly emphasised to His followers that persecution was inevitable. He foretold this by repeatedly saying, for example, in John 15:20 ‘the servant is not above his master, if they have persecuted me, they will persecute you. To define His true follower, Jesus had said (Luke 9:23) ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me…’ After the resurrection of Jesus Christ many of the faithful were persecuted, and this led to the Apostles writing most of the Epistles in the New Testament, which were written mainly for the purpose of encouraging those early Christians who were facing persecution and martyrdom.
Subjects: Martyrdom (Christianity), Mau Mau, ALSHABAAB