Martyrdom and Sterilized Saints

Here in the United States, we have witnessed high-profile murders of fellow Christians. The 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville, the recent Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University have been brought to the forefront of our hearts, minds, and prayers. Across the nation, Christians of all stripes–including pastors and other Christian leaders–have started to use the “M” word to identify these victims: martyrs.

And, of course, there’s been pushback. While these recent casualties are brethren in Christ, do they qualify for the veneration Christians typically grant martyrs?  Read Full Article »