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.

Evangelizing: Freedom vs. Persecution

Last week in India, forty Christians were kidnapped by extremists who wanted them to convert back to Hinduism, and still no word is known about their well-being. Such stories are not common-place here in the United States of America because American citizens have the First Amendment of Bill of Rights that states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." One might say that this principle is only for the United States and not for the world, but on the contrary, according to Articles 9, 13, and 18-20, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts that all humans from every nation have the right to leave a nation as they please without restriction, to believe or change one's religion, and to assemble publicly without unnecessary seizures from the government. However, worldwide , lives are being savagely ransacked because of their faith. For a shocking reality check, watch these two short clips on lives disrupted by persecution: video, & video 2. Consequently, people of the Christian faith should be excited and readily sharing the gospel to others with at peace of mind because of the laws and regulations in place! One has to ask him or herself, if they are truly taking advantages of the freedom one has as an American citizen than others in persecuted territory. In my opinion, when a discipline is not tested, the authenticity of it is slightly diminished to mere utterances of allegiance rather than a life lived out of its convictions even if it meant harm to one's body or loved ones was inevitable. In my experience as a Christian evangelizing with this freedom, I admit that I do not always live out my convictions, but rather preach them because I am not in situations where I can not even have the luxury of verbalizing my religious affiliations, let alone encouraging others to join my faith, without having to think, "Is it worth my job, health, or life!"

In relation to the picture above, the Bible encourages the believer who may be going through persecution where their strength can and will be renewed when they believe. In John15; 18-21 affirms, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, "A slave is not greater than his master' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me." Such a passage for warns the believer that God has given us knowledge that this world is in opposition towards you. Actually 1 John 3:13 states that, "Do not be surprised, brethren. if the world hates you." For further encouragement of strength such passages of 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 announces. "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our bodies. Overall, these verses embolden and revitalize the believer who is suffering to understand that God is always with them and he will never for sake them.

For this same reason, I am also taking the charge to go over seas to do exactly what this young man is doing in the picture below, however, I will also be teaching English to college students where I will get a chance to share American culture and to learn East African culture as well. Furthermore, I am going to live out the verses above and to see how complacent I have been and to see what and how a Christian lives their life in a country where it is illegal to share their faith.