Religious Persecution

Religious persecution as a global phenomenon is not merely a socio-political issue but a deeply spiritual and ecclesial one. The experience of suffering for one’s faith has shaped Christian theology across centuries, influencing doctrines of discipleship, ecclesiology, and mission. Missiology, too, must grapple with the realities of persecution, as it seeks to understand and support the Church’s witness in hostile environments. Theology and mission are not developed in a vacuum – they are forged in the lived experiences of believers, including those who suffer for their faith. Therefore, Christians must be equipped to address the challenges of persecution, discrimination, and harassment in both historical and contemporary contexts. This anthology brings together scholars from all major theological disciplines to deepen our understanding of religious persecution. They hail from Norway, Denmark, Germany and six other nations; both experienced academics and junior researchers. As biblical scholars, systematic theologians, church historians, practical theologians and missiologists, assisted by a legal scholar, they offer a rich menu of mainly original research. This collection of essays serves students, pastors, missionaries, and scholars who seek to understand the complex theological and missiological dimensions of religious persecution in a more nuanced way.