Mission’s goal was producing martyrs as much as producing converts

Evidence

Thomas commends Francis for having thrice tried (though thrice failed) to obtain the crown of martyrdom: clearly, for Thomas (and, it seems, for Francis as well), the goal of mission is as much to produce martyrs as it is to produce converts. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1102

Categorization

• ADDENDUM: Strong support for the sacrifice essay — the medieval missionary enterprise treated martyrdom not as a tragic byproduct but as a coequal or even primary goal.
• XREF: Echoes the logic of religious self-sacrifice in Parable of the Sower’s notion of giving one’s death meaning, and contrasts with modern missionary framing.