Catholic Life and Practice

This Side of the Eschaton: Discerning Martyrdom’s Inner Logic

Ryan Duns, SJ

Abstract

Ryan Duns, SJ examines the theological development of Christian martyrdom, highlighting tensions between classical and contemporary interpretations. Drawing on David Tracy’s notion of “fragments,” martyrs are understood as revelatory frag-events that disrupt sin and disclose divine justice and mercy. Distinguishing “martyrs of confession” from “martyrs of action,” Duns applies Aristotelian propter quid and quia frameworks to discern authentic cases. He concludes by proposing a parabolic logic of martyrdom, portraying martyrs as living parables of God’s reign in history.