Persecution

Written by cycleguy on March 27th, 2013

The Apostle Paul

Polycarp

John Hus

Watchman Nee

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Saeed Abedini

 

Those names, and more, are pretty familiar to those who follow the church, especially the persecuted church. For more on modern day Saeed Abedini, go here. (Under news stories type in his name)  I have something more pressing I ask every time I read of a past martyr or a present martyr for the cause of Christ.

One Question haunts me:  Could I take the stand these and thousands of others have?  If I was arrested for my faith, put under intense scrutiny, suffering extreme persecution, could I would I be able to remain strong?

My answer?  I hope so.  But really, how would I know?  I won’t until or unless I come under that type of fire!

Enter Captive in Iran, a book by two Iranian ladies who became followers of Jesus and were arrested for their faith.   Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh converted to Christ from Islam; met at a theology school in Turkey in 2005; then decided to work together by returning to Iran in order to share Jesus. All was going well until one day they were arrested for promoting Christianity.  The charges were for apostasy, anti-government activity, and blasphemy, for which they faced execution by hanging.  They languished in a detention camp enduring endless questioning and impossible conditions, until being transferred to the dreaded Evin Prison (ironically a prison they could see from their apartment window).  They then endured 259 days in Evin while awaiting their “day in court.”  They were pawns in a very broken and biased court system.  Their case garnered international attention thanks to the internet and other media.  Appeals were being made by all corners of the world (except the Muslim world) for their freedom.  Finally, their freedom became a reality. Eventually, the two moved to Atlanta, Georgia.

This is a story of a faith that haunts me with the questions I asked above.  They made it through totally deplorable conditions only by the strength and grace of God.  Along the way, they show their faith is more than words. They befriend women of all ilk, status, political persuasion, and beliefs.  Some are hostile, but most come to them for prayer, encouragement, help, and friendship.  Even guards and government people realize there is something that holds these two together.  Their faith moved from the streets of Iran to the prison of Iran.

While I had a few minor issues concerning beliefs, that would not stop me from recommending this book. I learned of two women whose faith was tested and found real under horrendous circumstances.  Along the way, I learned a lot more about Islam, its beliefs, the lopsided court system, and the oppressive regime many believers languish under.  It is well worth your read.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review.  I was not required to give a good review.

 

22 Comments so far ↓

  1. Daniel says:

    If someone put a gun to my head and said that if I did not denounce Christ then he would kill me. Why would anyone choose to not denounce Christ in such a circumstance? Words are wind. Just because I utter some words to a stranger, does not mean that they are my heart. If it is freedom by utter a few meaningless curses or death for not, it seems like a pretty easy choice. What am I missing?

    • cycleguy says:

      I am not sure where you are with this Daniel. Are you saying it is okay to deny Christ or have I misconstrued your words? In answer to the question: I think of the apostle Peter and the thousands of others who have refused to recant.

      • Daniel says:

        Sorry, my typing was less than stellar. I think you read me correctly. If I was given a choice of “saying” that I recant God and living another day or dying on the spot at the hands of some fool, I think that I would say what I had to. Sometimes words mean everything, and sometimes they don’t. The truth that I hold in my heart is all that matters.

  2. We really have no idea what persecution is here in our country.

  3. Betty Draper says:

    Before moving to a third world country you have to answer that question before you go.
    I have talked to some of the wives who were present when the rebels came into thier village and took their husbands. They testify to a strength that was there for the moment. I have talked to Gracia Burnham who was held captive along with her husband in the Phillipines for a year. He was killed in the rescue. We cannot know for sure what we would do, but if we trust Him He will give words, strength, comfort and the grace to face whatever is to come. Larry is right, we have no idea what persecution is here in our country.
    Our soldiers are taught to give only their name and rank. As a believer I have a new name written in glory and my rank is a Child of the King.
    I pray I and those I love would never have to make that choice. Those two women knew exactly what they were doing and was willing to risk death to bring the gospel to their country. I would love to meet them.

    • cycleguy says:

      I would love to hear more of your take on this Betty. Your experience on the mission field put you “up there” in my book. I know you will say you are no different, but your experiences would certainly say otherwise. Thanks for sharing. I, too, would love to meet them.

  4. the Old Adam says:

    I would think that I might be able to not deny my Lord in the face of death, as so many Christians have done.

    But I don’t know if I would or not.

    The blood of the martyrs cries out against us when our mouths are closed merely for what people might think of us, lest alone denying our Lord in the face of danger.

  5. floyd says:

    I hear you, BIll. To live out a life for Christ like that is reserved for the strongest among us. I pray for the ones still over there and the out pouring of God’s spirit. May He be honored by all of our lives and give us strength to stand boldly for HIm.

  6. I’m teaching on “Blessed are the persecuted” the week after Easter, so this subject has been on my mind. Scripture also says that the righteous will be persecuted, so there’s an element in which all of us are persecuted. I think we tend to emphasize the dramatic persecution, but we all go through some elements. I think the key is seeing why God allows persecution. It’s something that glorifies him and it helps sever the links between us and the world.

  7. Susan says:

    I believe that if I needed the grace to get through a situation like that, I would not get it until I needed it.

  8. Mike says:

    I get Voice of the Martyrs magazine, and often wonder how I would hold up to the persecution many around the world suffer for Christ. The most persecution most of us in this country suffer is being made fun of for our faith. I wonder how long it will be before more harsh persecutions hit this country for Christians.

  9. Jan says:

    I have often asked myself that question, such as, if someone told me they would kill one of my children in front of me & I had to deny Christ, in order to save my child,could I do it? I would like to think I would not deny Christ & would pray that my children know how much I love Jesus, that is a scenario that I hope doesn’t ever come true. I must be weird, but I think about this a lot & about people in other countries who are killed for not denying Christ, it makes me sad & sick. I just pray my faith would be strong enough to stand my ground for our Lord. Good post Bill.

    • cycleguy says:

      It is a gut-wrenching question to wonder about Jan. I too would hope my family would know how much I love them, but love Jesus more.

  10. Debbie says:

    Thank you for doing a review of their book .. .and a really good review at that. 🙂 Praying that He help us all during the days ahead and with any persecution we may undergo. God bless you!