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A history of Christian sacrifice

A history of Christian sacrifice

Jonathan Sheehan explores the role of sacrifice in the history of Christianity, from its ancient origins to its modern-day meaning

Charlotte Vosper

Published: May 22, 2026 at 9:46 AM

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What's the role that sacrifice has played in the history of Christianity? It's a history that might be more complex, and more surprising, than we think. Jonathan Sheehan's latest book is On the Altar: A History of Sacrifice from the Sacred to the Secular, and in this episode he tells Charlotte Vosper about how sacrifice has sat at the centre of Christianity from its very beginnings.

Authors

Charlotte VosperContent producer

Charlotte Vosper is a content producer at HistoryExtra