Persecution | Tactical Christianity

Escaping from “Hell” – Twice!

by R. Herbert | Dec 1, 2021 | Persecution

The story of Eun Hye is one that is typical of many who have come to believe while living in repressive and anti-Christian cultures. Eun Hye is not her real name, which has been kept secret by the Christian organizations that have helped her in order to protect her and her North Korean relatives. When Eun Hye’s parents travelled to China to try to find two of their daughters who were missing, Eun Hye ended up in a crowded official “camp” for street children where conditions were abysmal. Forced to learn to hunt rats (which were plentiful), the sixteen-year-old was barely able to survive and began to pray to “Hananim,” the invisible God who her grandmother had told her about.

As reported by Christian organizations that have worked with her, one day, the camp guards sought volunteers for work in the mountains and Eun Hye heard a voice in her head urging her to volunteer. She did, and while in the mountains she and another girl were left alone just long enough to escape. After an arduous journey – without supplies – hiking through mountains, swimming across a reservoir, and tunneling under an embankment with their bare hands, Eun Hye finally reached her hometown where she was reunited with her family. Her father had become a Christian and explained to her who the God Hananim was. Soon after, the family swam across a border river and escaped to China where they were able to join an underground church. But the group was betrayed and Eun Hye and her family were arrested and transported to a detention center in North Korea. There, Eun Hye suffered frostbite, her parents were brutally interrogated, and the father confessed to being a Christian. Yet miraculously, the family was released and returned to their home.

Eventually, as the family did not have enough food for everyone, Eun Hy and her mother swam across the river into China, somehow surviving as the North Korean guards fired at them. Eun Hye was able to settle in China,though she has been in continued danger of betrayal and miraculously escaped several attempts to capture her. At one point the truck sent to take her back to North Korea broke down and she was somehow released. Her father eventually died from his interrogation injuries, and her brother remains trapped in North Korea. However, Eun Hye married in China and was able to flee with her husband to South Korea, where she lives today.

Eun Hye is a fortunate Christian. She is one of the few who have escaped – and the very few who have escaped twice – from the horrific situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, where the only gods people are permitted to worship are the nation’s brutal rulers: Kim Jong-un and his family. Most believers suffer – and a great many die as a result of their faith.

For nearly two decades, the totalitarian communist state has been named the worst place in the world to be a Christian by Open Doors, the Christian charity which tracks persecution of the faith around the globe. The organization estimates that there are around 300,000 Christians (about one per cent of the country’s total population) living in constant fear in North Korea, and of those 300,000, Open Doors believes some 50,000-70,000 are imprisoned in brutal labor camps where inmates are treated horrendously, and most are eventually worked to death.

For those of us living in the nations of the Western world and in many other areas around the globe, it is hard to really comprehend the suffering that is ongoing for Christians in North Korea and other repressive nations – but we must not ignore it. As the book of Hebrews reminds us, we have a responsibility toward those who are suffering for their faith: “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3). Remembering the persecuted in our prayers is something we can all do to help them. The other thing we can do is to support organizations like Open Doors and to pray for the work they are doing to help those who, despite all they are enduring in places like North Korea, are remaining faithful.

The Story of Ananias: Faith over Fear

by R. Herbert | Jul 7, 2019 | Faith, Persecution

Acts 9 tells the story of the conversion of Saul, one of Christianity’s greatest early enemies, to Paul – one of the faith’s greatest servants. The chapter not only tells us that Saul was “breathing out murderous threats” against the early disciples, but also that he was hunting them down and commiting them to prison.

As Saul neared Damascus, however, intending to find Christians in that city, Acts tells us that the resurrected Jesus appeared to him, commanded him to go into the city and to wait till he was told what he must do. The account says that for three days Saul was blind, and did not eat or drink, but prayed. Saul’s level of repentance was clearly as deep as humanly possible (Acts 9:1-9).

But that’s the story as we know it, from our perspective – in safe hindsight. Now think about the story from the perspective of Ananias – a Christian living in Damascus who was well aware of the destruction Saul was wreaking on the faith:

“In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered. The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight’” (Acts 9:10-12).

It’s difficult to imagine how that instruction really felt to Ananias, but we get a glimpse of his reaction in his reply:

“‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel’” (Acts 9:13-15).

I think we have to put this in modern terms to even begin to understand the situation. Suppose you were a Jew living in hiding in World War II Europe, and God told you to go meet one of the highest ranking officers of the SS or the Gestapo. Imagine you lived in Soviet Russia, or today in North Korea, where Christians are routinely executed, and were told to go help the head of the secret police responsible for eliminating Christians. But look at Ananias’ response:

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized” (Acts 9:17-18).

We read over those last few words telling us that Saul “got up and … was baptized,” but imagine Ananias’ feelings waiting to see exactly what Saul would do once his sight was restored. Was this just a trap? What would Saul do next? The obedience and faith that Ananias demonstrated in going to Saul and helping to restore his sight were incredible, to say the least. It was an act of faith and bravery equivalent to helping a lion out of a trap. And notice one more detail about the way in which Ananias did this. It may seem like a small detail until you think it through, but the extent of Ananias’ faith was such that the man not only obeyed God’s instruction, but also fully accepted his enemy by addressing him with the words “Brother Saul.” The level of Ananias’ faith is seen again toward the end of Acts 9 which records that after his conversion Saul returned to Jerusalem, and that:

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple” (vs. 26). Ananias not only accepted God’s word in faith while it was still unclear what Saul’s intentions were, but also he accepted Saul as a brother.

Ananias is one of the many individuals who, although not mentioned by name in the great “Faith Hall of Fame” found in Hebrews 11, can nevertheless be included in the “all these” mentioned in verse 39 – the many others who are worthy of inclusion in that honor roll of faith.

To Flee or Not to Flee?

by R. Herbert | Nov 6, 2016 | Persecution

We reprint this updated 2015 post from our sister site to mark the November observance of the International Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, honored variously on November 6, 13, and 20th.

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 27:12).

I recently read a disturbing article in a Christian publication that stated that those undergoing persecution in areas where they and their families were no longer safe should not attempt to flee, but that they should have faith and should stay where they are in order to be a light to those around them, including their persecutors.

Although I’m sure the writer was well meaning, I think it is important that persecuted Christians understand there is nothing biblically wrong with fleeing to protect oneself and one’s family rather than staying in the proverbial “frying pan.” In fact, Christ specifically commanded his disciples to do exactly that: “When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another” (Matthew 10:23, emphasis added).

Whenever it has been possible, it is “fleeing,” not “frying,” that has characterized Christianity throughout its history. We have only to look at the biblical record to see the example of countless men and women of God who fled persecution. Moses fled Egypt before later returning (Exodus 2:15). Elijah fled from Jezebel before it was his time to return (1 Kings 19:3). Jeremiah urged the people of Jerusalem to flee before the city was attacked by enemies (Jeremiah 6:1). The family of Christ was commanded to flee with the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:13), and Jesus, of course, told his followers not that they should not flee, but that they should pray that their flight be not at a dangerous and inopportune time (Matthew 24:20). It is historically clear that when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, with a great loss of Jewish life, few if any Christians died in the siege of the city, as they had followed the teaching of their master – and fled.

We see this pattern of fleeing persecution in the New Testament itself. The Book of Acts shows that when Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was killed: “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). The result of this fleeing was not some kind of spiritual decline of the Church, rather: “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (vs. 4), and Christianity both spread and increased as a result.

Even the leaders of the early Church who stayed originally in Jerusalem thought it wise to flee when circumstances indicated they should. We see that the apostle Peter fled when his life was threatened (Acts 12:17), and the apostle Paul fled on numerous occasions to avoid persecution and threats to his life (Acts 14:6, etc.).

So the Bible does not teach that we should feel it is a matter of faith not to flee when every indication is that it would be wise to do so. Certainly, there are cases where God has called individuals to stay and face persecution, but without a clear call to do so, God expects us to use wisdom in all things (Ecclesiastes 7:12) and to avoid threats that are avoidable (Proverbs 22:3 and Proverbs 27:12).

The answer to most life-threatening persecution is not to stay, but to have the kind of faith that trusts God enough to flee and receive his guidance and help to reach a place of safety. The Church has always fled when appropriate and always will (Revelation 12:6). To suggest otherwise is to not understand the example of the Bible itself.

For those of us who enjoy peace and safety, we should remember our persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer and consider the many opportunities to help them with food, clothing and other support.

Remember Those in Chains

by R. Herbert | Jul 10, 2016 | Persecution, Prayer

Something to think about:
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3 NIV).

This single verse packs a lot into a short space – the many people we should remember, the extent of our identification with them, and the extent of our responsibility toward them.

It is easy to think of this scripture as applying only to those held in physical chains in prisons or dungeons, but it refers literally to all who are “bound” and this includes prisoners who are so bound, as well as all who are held against their will in slavery and forced labor or simply detained, held in custody or imprisoned for their faith. In fact, the meaning extends to all who are mistreated, though again, the focus is on those suffering for their beliefs rather than those being punished for wrongdoing.

Our identification with these people is to be complete. The Greek is literally “Be reminded of the bound ones as being bound together [with them]” and encourages us to think about the actual circumstances of those for whom we pray – the conditions they suffer, the effects on their health, welfare, and families, as well as the depression and loss of hope such situations can produce.

The extent of our responsibility to these people is also stressed in various ways. The meaning is that we are to continue to remember them, rather than only occasionally, and remembering means not just “thinking about” but primarily praying for and also, by extension, doing acts of kindness to help those who are bound in some way.

This verse asks questions of all of us: How few or how many of those who are “bound” are we remembering, how deeply are we thinking about them, and what are we doing in our own lives to ease the suffering of those in “chains”?

Stand With the Persecuted

by R. Herbert | Apr 17, 2016 | Persecution

Today, Sunday April 17, eight major Christian organizations — Open Doors USA, the Institute on Religion & Democracy, The Voice of the Martyrs, In Defense of Christians, Christian Solidarity Worldwide USA, International Christian Concern, 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative and the Family Research Council — are calling on Christians around the United States and everywhere to pray for the persecuted.

According to Open Doors USA, more Christians were killed through persecution in the 20th Century than through all of history till then – and the 21st Century is already seeing even more widespread and savage levels of violence against those of our Faith.

As FRC President Tony Perkins has recently said: “The persecution of Christians is at an unprecedented level and we are even seeing it here in the United States, but the hostility that Christians here in America are facing pales in comparison to the mistreatment, displacement, violence, rape, crucifixions, and beheadings experienced by followers of Jesus in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Pakistan, and other parts of the Middle East and beyond.”

For further information on the growing crisis in the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, see the interview with Open Doors President and CEO, David Curry, on our sister site, here.

Please remember this call for unity with the persecuted today and pray for your brothers and sisters around the world who are now facing increasing danger or who have already suffered greatly as a result of persecution.

Why We Need to Pray for Asia Bibi Now!

by R. Herbert | Mar 23, 2016 | Persecution

This Saturday, March 26, an appeals court in Pakistan will review the case of Aasiya Noreen, or Asia Bibi as she is better known, an illiterate young Pakistani Christian who was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death by hanging in November 2010.

Local women became angry with Asia when she drank from the same water source they were using. After subsequent arguments, she was charged under Pakistan’s strict blasphemy law for insulting the prophet Muhammad – a charge she categorically denies. For the past five years Asia has been imprisoned and separated from her husband and children (who have had to go into hiding) while she awaits execution. Threats against her life have continued in prison, and she was moved to solitary confinement in a small windowless cell where she cooks her own food in order to protect her from other inmates and from attempts to poison her. She has reportedly been abused by the guards in the prison where she is being held and her health is now very frail.

The Pakistani Christian minorities minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, and another politician, Salmaan Taseer, who argued for Noreen’s release, were both assassinated for advocating on her behalf. In October 2014 the Pakistani court system dismissed Asia’s appeal and upheld her death sentence. The following month, her lawyer appealed to the Supreme Court of Pakistan which suspended Bibi’s death sentence for the duration of the appeals process. After several postponements the Lahore High Court will hear her appeal this week – on March 26.

We should join Christians around the world in praying for the release of Asia Bibi. Pope Benedict XVI and other leaders have publicly called for the charges against her to be dismissed, and many Christian organizations are trying to mobilize believers to help her. The Voice of the Martyrs organization has organized a petition that can be signed online and hopes to gather one million signatures on behalf of our sister Asia. At the time of writing, 697,586 people have signed the petition and you can sign it here.

Given the Pakistani Supreme Court hearings scheduled for this weekend, we should pray earnestly for Asia Bibi this week. Pray not only for Asia as an individual (who was condemned not for taking a cup of water but for her Christian beliefs), but also for all who are similarly afflicted by Pakistan’s harsh Islamic blasphemy laws. Because this is a high profile case, if the court rules in her favor, it could be an important precedent for other Christians unjustly threatened by the same blasphemy laws now and in the future.

There are other things we can do. In the United States we can contact our Congressional representatives to protest America’s eight billion dollar yearly aid to Pakistan and to argue that that aid should be stopped as long as persecution of minorities is allowed in that country.

But most of all, Asia Bibi needs our prayers – and she needs them now.

« Older Entries