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.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH, 2021

I have collected memes of Scripture verses, but I noticed today one of the precious promises in Scripture is not included. That wonderful promise is 2 Timothy 3:12: "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Why don't I see that posted all over the internet, or on bumper stickers, T-shirts, and refrigerator magnets?

It's interesting that my favorite holidays fall in October and November. Reformation Day. All Saints Day. My favorite, Thanksgiving. The World Series. My smart aleck side wants to add the politically incorrect holiday of Columbus Day just to irk the liberals. My birthday also falls in that time frame, but I don't know if I'd count it. But I will count the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, which falls on the first Sunday in November.Above I have a quote and photo of Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, Lutheran minister, prisoner in Romania for 14 years, author of several books including Tortured For Christ, and founder of the ministry originally called Jesus To The Communist World and is now known as Voice Of the Martyrs (VOM). He spoke at Southwestern College (now Arizona Christian University) in 1978, and I had the privilege of shaking his hand afterwards. How many handshakes would you consider unforgettable? For me, it's two. Wurmbrand was the first. (The second was Jack Greene, country singer who became a Christian). 

A while back, VOM had given a list of 10 ways to pray for our persecuted brethren. 

1. Pray that persecuted believers will sense God's presence (Hebrews 13:5).
2. Pray that they will feel connected to the greater Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:20, 26).
3. Pray that they will experience God's comfort when their family members are killed, injured or imprisoned for their witness (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
4. Pray that they will have more opportunities to share the gospel (Colossians 4:3).
5. Pray for their boldness to make Christ known (Philippians 1:14).
6. Pray that they will forgive and love their persecutors (Matthew 5:44).
7. Pray that their ministry activities will remain undetected by authorities or others who wish to silence them (Acts 9:25).
8. Pray that they will rejoice in suffering (Acts 5:41).
9. Pray that they will be refreshed through God's Word and grow in their faith (Ephesians 6:17).
10. Pray that they will be strengthened through the prayers of fellow believers.

We need to remember that our society where we have religious liberty, where it is acceptable to be Christian is not normal. I'm in a men's Bible study where we're going through the book Getting To Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction by Bryan Litfin. Most of the individuals suffered persecution, and some of that persecution was post-Constantine by "fellow believers." 

In Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents, author Rod Dreher interviewed people who saw their countries turn Communist and each one said the same thing is happening here. Are we prepared for persecution? Is there any reason Christians in the past and present have died for their faith, but we don't have to worry about this?

Let's remember to pray for our persecuted family.