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Be Not Afraid CourageChapter 14CourageAs a child I was captivated by the story of the earlyChristian martyr Polycarp, who was burned at thestake some eighteen centuries ago. Part of it was thedrama – the bloody Roman arena of gladiators andsaints, lions and cheering crowds. But what struckme even more was Polycarp’s willingness to diefor his convictions. Not that he went meekly to hisdeath – according to witnesses, he was defiant, andeven berated the mob that surrounded him at hisexecution. But he showed no trace of fear:Eighty-six years have I served my king and savior, andhe has never done me any harm. How could I blasphemehim? You threaten me with a fire that burns for an hourand goes out after a short time, for you do not know thefire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment1