Persecution: Understanding from a different Vantage point

In the last three post a common theme is apparent in the articles I chose to explore, Persecution of Christians around the World and there affect if any on us Westerns who are free to proclaim what faith we reside to without having to bear the consequences of our testimony. In writing about this topic, one is transitioned from a self-centered live to an inclusive live that cares about the atrocities of others. Also, I begin to question whether I have used my freedom here in the United States to change people's lives, to encourage faith and instill hope , or have I became complacent and oblivious to the extreme blessing that I have to be able to share my faith without overt persecution from the government or from my employers. While searching the blogosphere about the above convictions, I found a blog that is titled, "Are American Christians "Persecuted?" Here Michael Spencer, a writer and communicator living and working in a Christian community in southeastern Kentucky, expresses his views on whether or not American Christians are persecuted while not discrediting unfair business practices that led to someone being fired for their beliefs or prejudicial bias and intimidation. The second post touched on a different vantage point of persecution, in which, is titled "Is Doctrine Worth Dying For?" Here Glenn Penner, author of "In the Shadow of the Cross: A Biblical Theology of Persecution and Discipleship" and he Assumed the position of VOMC's CEO in January, 2007, writes a provocative understanding of the reality as to why people are dying for their faith, but he also touches on some fallacies and misguided beliefs about who or what they are actually dying for.

Here is my comment on Michael Spencer's post "Are American Christians "Persecuted?"


Upon reading your post I was thrown aside a little by your opinion that can Americans justly claim that they are being persecuted? That is an interesting question in which I never thought about because I always assumed that any hindrances in advancing the Good News was considered persecution. There are many ways in which a person can be persecuted. From top-down persecution which includes overt hindrances from the government to the individual, and bottom up persecution where one's family and friends turn the convert over to the authorities or religious leaders for losing their faith. When you said, "So Paul states a general principle: all the godly will be persecuted as false believers and impostors grow worse and worse." I take it to mean that everyone who professes the name of Christ Jesus will suffer persecution and in fact Jesus says "don't be surprised when they persecute you because just as they treated me, they will do the same to you!" It is true that persecution takes many forms depending on geographical location, however, it is trivial to assert that one form of persecution is genuine than the other. This could perhaps be an issue of pride if one takes their type persecution and esteem it over other's to dismiss or belittle their suffering. However, I do believe that when in war it is much easier to fight a visible, identifiable enemy than to fight an invisible force as if one was shadow boxing. In other words, the persecution that happens outside of The United States has a face and a body attached to the persecutor rather here in the states, the persecutor is a force of persuasion and a current that can carry you adrift if you are not aware of societies schemes. This is why Paul says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

Here is my comment on Glen Penner's post on "Is the Doctrine worth Dying for?"

Upon reading your entry Glen I realized that I agree that the doctrine is worth dying for, but it should not be separated from knowing Jesus Christ, however I do not agree entirely that "relationships are based on knowledge" I understand that when learning about Christ through the scriptures, one must believe in them and hold fast to them to bring about an inward transformation where their perspectives and values change from selfish to selfless. Then that person will be able to say "to live as Christ, to die is gain." However, when talking about why someone chooses to die, it is important that the doctrine is not separated from Christ Jesus as if they were separate entities. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1 & 14) These two scriptures indicates that Jesus is the word of God and how the word of God became flesh. This leads me to my next point that relationships do not develop solely on knowledge but also with someone, a person-Jesus Christ. In Hebrew, the word knowledge is tied with head knowledge and intimacy, where to know someone requires physical contact and a closeness to the other person that involves more than just knowing about them or what they have said. Can I say that I know a famous movie star like Brad Pitt if I have never spoken with him or shared my feelings, hopes, and aspirations with him, could I still say that we have a relationship if I only know facts about Brad Pitt? Certainly not. Would our relationships last if we were content on just knowing what is said about them or what they said without sharing our hearts with the person and asking of them in return of their heart, wants, and desires? A relationship calls for correct knowledge about the other person, quality time invested, shared emotions, fears, laughs, desires, and promises of security with the other in order for a relationship to grow strong where one is at the point to give one's life for the other.

Overall, it is a close relationship with Christ and the belief in the Holy scriptures without doubt that enables a person to die for who and for what they believe in.

Transformation: Child Soldier to Entrepreneur!

Many young nine year olds are mostly concerned with being accepted in their schools and causing pranks on certain kids. But imagine being faced with the task of killing another human being at that tender age is unimaginable. Despite this unthinkable notion, this is a current reality for the kids in Burundi. However, programs and organizations like World Visions have tried not to make this Life for so many young children by pushing for The Soldier Prevention Act that would prevent the U.S. from spending tax payers’ money on guns and weapons to end up in these youngsters’ hands, as seen in the picture in the up-left corner. Bizimana Jean Marie, who goes by the name John, was one of these child soldiers who were taught to do horrific things. Unlike the other soldiers, John went willingly because of the hardships his mom and he faced in a displacement camp. Fortunately for John, he was one of the several children taken out of the National Army to be reintegrated back into the community in which he lived in before. Furthermore, World Vision also teaches John how to cut hair among with other sociable and emotional repair he must have needed after being forced to do all kinds of atrocities. From child Soldier to Entrepreneur. World Vision understands that to aid in the healing process, one need to be involved in the opposite action from which he was used to giving out. In other words, John used to help an Army of men kill and terrorize other people and in some cases, even killing another person. Now he will learn to do the opposite of such things to relearn who to love and care for another, and also where you can make a living from your service as well. I can only imagine what internal transformation John must have undergone, from killing to serving the same people?

Saul had the same type of transforming occupation from being the chief executor of Christians too being one of many that would devout the rest of his life in bringing thousands of lost people to Christ in which he suffered many of the atrocities he dished out and later who wrote two thirds of the New Testament. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14) Here Paul (the new name that God has given him) states that he is not perfected, but he presses on towards the goal that God has given him; to be a mouthpiece of His transforming power and ability to save anyone. Also he states that he has forgotten those things which are behind him and looks forward. Paul had a lot of reasons, valid ones at best, to be ashamed and guilty of where he could have been easily deterred from carrying out God's plan for his life. But Paul rests in God's mercy and Grace and lives a life Transformed. One could imagine that John too has wrestled with these same convictions of”how is it that I could be used for good when I even volunteered to be used for evil just so that I can eat?" Paul would respond, " But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)." Ephesians 2:4-5 and "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 If John could have heard these saying, I am sure that he would have a smile of hope and appreciation for his second chance of an opportunity to bless rather than curse, to livening up someone's day and evoke smiles, rather than death and provoking others to anger and mourning amongst families and friends.

This is the wonderful work of Transformation at its best in a life that now has a sense of purpose and vitality and who would have thought of it that being an Entrepreneur could have such rich intrinsic rewards as John and Paul have both experienced in serving others!