BOOK REVIEW - TORTURED FOR CHRIST (50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) BY RICHARD WURMBRAND

 

I have been aware of this book for most of my life  (and all of my adult life). When I was a teenager, I heard my pastor mention this book on a Sunday night sermon. About a year later, I heard Richard Wurmbrand at chapel at my college. My wife and I get their monthly newsletter and served as volunteers for a few years. However, I have never read this book until now.

One reviewer commented that the book moved from auto-biography to manifesto. Reading it, my impression is the author intended it to be the latter. He admits he went through horrific torture, but Wurmbrand makes it clear that he wasn't an isolated example and that there are things we can do. He didn't write this book to focus on himself but to focus on those still enduring persecution and on what we can do (his list includes leading a godly life).

He states two important things Christians need to do: 1) Hate Communism and 2) Love Calvinists. Some reviewers didn't like Wurmbrand calling atheism evil and equating the belief there's no God with a system that tortures others. His point is not that all atheists are torturers, but the foundation of their disregard for life and freedom is the belief that there is no God to reward the righteous, no Deity to punish the wicked, so they can do whatever cruel thing they desire over the powerless. Telling - Wurmbrand quotes a Communist publication calling Christ's command to love your enemies dangerous. 

The critical reviewers stuck at the "Hate Communism" part, but ignored that he also says a true Christian will love Communists. He points out that he and others in countries where there's persecution are praying for their persecutors. 

I mentioned this is the 50th anniversary edition. Most of the material is from the original book from '68, with some added information reflecting the fall of the Soviet regime and the increase of persecution in the Muslim world. He stated in one section that the original book was written in three days! Thus, it is a book of the heart. Additionally, it points out how his focus is more on Russia and Romania, because that was where this happened.

This is NOT an easy read. Part of it are the horrific acts performed on the author and others. Part of it is an activist tone, and some things seem to be a little repetitive. But should Christians avoid things that are challenging? Uh, no. And definitely we should be aware of how we can comfort the afflicted; don't be naive enough to think we will always have it easy.