The apostasy of Rainald reminded me of when we read Silence. Rodrigues apostatized because he thought he would be saving other Christians from death. Rainald did it out of fear of death. When reading of how he turned on his own people, one has to wonder if he ever had faith. "He shrank from suffering martyrdom and renounced profession of the Christian faith despite being in good shape, on horseback, and armed" (86). He had some things working in his favor, yet he already had his mind made up. He valued his life more than he valued his profession of faith or the lives of others. The true Christians suffered death and would not renounce their faith.
I commented on Dallas and Sierra's.
I agree that true faith is holding on to your beliefs even in the face of death. It takes a lot of faith and even bravery to trust in God no matter what might happen to you if you do.
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