Faith that endures persecution

84
Faith that Endures – Enduring Persecution Dr. Robert Patton

Transcript of Faith that endures persecution

Page 1: Faith that endures   persecution

Faith that Endures – Enduring Persecution

Dr. Robert Patton

Page 2: Faith that endures   persecution

Martyrdom is not the norm

Persecution is normal in believers About 0.8% are martyred The Bible is written to the

persecuted to strengthen other persecuted

Page 3: Faith that endures   persecution

What martyrdom does! It reveals the reality of persecution

and the power and danger of the gospel

It inspires us to see that the gospel is worth dying for & wakes us up – Example of Stephen in Acts 6-7

Page 4: Faith that endures   persecution

Why kill the martyr? They “rescue their god” Lies Sometimes jealousy of the

martyr’s influence The martyr is often

uncompromising Demonic hatred against Christ05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 4

Page 5: Faith that endures   persecution

Who kills the martyrs? Often violent men with a low view

of the value of human life

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 5

Page 6: Faith that endures   persecution

Martyrs Inspire a closer walk with God See the grandeur of the Christian

life However, God sometimes spared

the prophets so that they could continue their ministry – such as Jeremiah

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 6

Page 7: Faith that endures   persecution

Persecution comes slowly Rarely persecution comes like we

expect Often we don’t see it coming We are partially responsible for its

appearance. Evil triumphs because moderates do nothing

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 7

Page 8: Faith that endures   persecution

Five steps in persecution

Vacuum – Extremists move into the area when moderates fail

Villain – in India, the Christians. So the BJP decided on one god, Ram, one book, the Bhagavad-Gita, and one philosophy – Hindutva (India only for the Hindus) 70% of Hindus are lower class, and they worried about them rejecting caste – so must stay in caste

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 8

Page 9: Faith that endures   persecution

Five steps in persecution

The lies – the more brazen, the better Timing is important

A mob – usually carefully orchestrated, not spontaneous. They accused the Christians of forced conversions and disturbing community harmony, and got support of police

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 9

Page 10: Faith that endures   persecution

Five steps in persecution

The megaphone – make the lie loud enough and often enough to drowned out any other voice

Rewriting school books with lies

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 10

Page 11: Faith that endures   persecution

What is good about persecution? The church is doing something right.

In India, they were reaching the lower castes who were no longer willing to prop up the Hindu house built on them. And the church is 70% Dalits

Hinduism is based on purity, and the lower castes are “impure”. You must stay in your caste for salvation

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 11

Page 12: Faith that endures   persecution

What is good about persecution? Persecution serves the cause of

the gospel More acceptable to speak about

religion Some are turned off by the extremists

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 12

Page 13: Faith that endures   persecution

Types of persecution Persecution from ideology

Can’t usually hide from it Claims to be the only truth

When reinforced by government – totalitarian state

Much less true today than in 1955

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 13

Page 14: Faith that endures   persecution

Types of persecution Persecution from government

Fear of loss of power by a totalitarian government

Fear when large groups assemble without government permission. They cannot stand independent groups

The state claims to be able to control all aspects of life – this is where the clash occurs

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 14

Page 15: Faith that endures   persecution

Types of persecution Persecution from family

Disownment from the family Beatings from the family, especially the

husband

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 15

Page 16: Faith that endures   persecution

Types of persecution Persecution from the culture

Punishment of the local community by evil spirits because they are ignored by a Christian

Thus the culture persecutes

05/03/23 16

Page 17: Faith that endures   persecution

Types of persecution Persecution from the church –

often by jealous individuals who use the state to get rid of competition

Persecution by corrupt individuals – to make money from bribes to release them

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 17

Page 18: Faith that endures   persecution

Types of persecution Persecution from over boldness –

like tract bombing May end up causing problems for

the regular Christians living in the area

05/03/23 18

Page 19: Faith that endures   persecution

Human Rights under article 18 To believe your religion – profess

a religion of your choice or even not profess a religion

To practice your religion – cannot be limited to just a state approved religion

To spread your religion

05/03/23 19

Page 20: Faith that endures   persecution

Human Rights under article 18 To believe your religion – profess

a religion of your choice or even not profess a religion

To practice your religion – cannot be limited to just a state approved religion

To spread your religion

05/03/23 20

Page 21: Faith that endures   persecution

Human Rights under Article 18

The individual has the right of changing the religion – no Muslim country has agreed to this

The individual has the right to transmit their religion to their family

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 21

Page 22: Faith that endures   persecution

Problem with human rights Should be based on Christian

principles, but now becoming secular and relative

False assumptions Governments do the persecution Changing laws will reduce persecution All forms of persecution can be

eradicated05/03/23 22

Page 23: Faith that endures   persecution

The Christian life involves

Dependence on others Powerlessness Uncertain future Being pursued

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 23

Page 24: Faith that endures   persecution

Christians pursued They do not pursue us but Christ Persecution is universal – world,

flesh, and the devil

05/03/23 24

Page 25: Faith that endures   persecution

Who pursues and persecutes? Rulers – lots of power Priests – most likely and jealous of

loss of power Merchants- interfering with profits Mobs – to do the work of others Family – often extended family

05/03/23 25

Page 26: Faith that endures   persecution

Why does persecution occur? We are identified with Christ The world is against Christ; thus it

is against us All Christians can experience some

sort of persecution from at least one of the five sources listed above

05/03/23 26

Page 27: Faith that endures   persecution

Why the world hates Jesus Light in darkness reveals the self-centered

worship of self rather than Christ Light came into the world, and men loved

darkness rather than light They persecute Jesus because they FEAR

the light Persecution comes when we confess Christ

with our lips or life05/03/23 1 Santa Jejej 27

Page 28: Faith that endures   persecution

Satan causes persecution It may be direct demonic attack More often, Satan uses an

intermediary, who may not realize he is being used – a ruler, priest, family member, thug, wealthy person

Powers are human institutions which enslave rather than free

05/03/23 28

Page 29: Faith that endures   persecution

Definition Persecution is the suffering or pressure ,

mental, moral, or physical which authorities or individuals or crows inflict on others, especially for opinions or beliefs, with a view to their subjection by recantation, silencing, or, as a last resort, execution.

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 29

Page 30: Faith that endures   persecution

Practices of persecution Hate Exclusion Insult Rejection

05/03/23 30

Page 31: Faith that endures   persecution

Broad definition Christian persecution is any

hostility experienced from the world, as a result of one’s identification with Christ. This can include hostile feelings, attitudes, words, and actions

05/03/23 31

Page 32: Faith that endures   persecution

Principles

The New Testament calls a wide range of actions persecutions

Persecution should be the universal experience of all Christians

Persecution is a consequence of a spiritual battle

05/03/23 32

Page 33: Faith that endures   persecution

Principles The history of the church has

considered persecution universal Still people under severe

persecution need our help We need a broad definition to be

able to address some of the causes of persecution.

05/03/23 33

Page 34: Faith that endures   persecution

Major sources of persecution Religious nationalism

Governments us religion to establish identity and legitimacy

Often priests will join in – Hinduism in India, Buddhism in Sri Lanka, etc.

05/03/23 34

Page 35: Faith that endures   persecution

Islamic extremism Saudi money & Wahabism Boost from Western training &

weapons to fight against Russia Disgust with secularism

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 35

Page 36: Faith that endures   persecution

Islamic extremism Governmental persecution as

policy – Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Maldives

Communal violence flamed by Islamic clerics

Direct attack by militants

05/03/23 36

Page 37: Faith that endures   persecution

Islam – no theology of defeat

The victory of the west is an affront to the glory of Allah and must be stopped and Allah vindicated

In Islam, defeat = disgrace. Thus Jesus could not have died on the cross

But more Muslims are persecuted by Muslim extremists than by Christians

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 37

Page 38: Faith that endures   persecution

Totalitarian governments Actually FEAR Christians because

they will not be dominated All who will not be dominated are

enemies of the state

05/03/23 38

Page 39: Faith that endures   persecution

Secular intolerance The idea that all religions are

basically equal is really the imposition of secular humanistic philosophy on the believer.

It is intellectual arrogance, and unwillingness to accept the FACTS of Christianity – but look at them as prejudices

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 39

Page 40: Faith that endures   persecution

Secular intolerance Religion is private, and not to

come into the public sphere, which is to be run on secular values

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 40

Page 41: Faith that endures   persecution

Latin America – sources of persecution Caciques – local thugs Revolutionaries Religious extremists Paramilitary groups (often under

drug lords) Governments Witches & Satanists05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 41

Page 42: Faith that endures   persecution

Middle East Dramatic drop from 15% to 4%

Christian due to Population pyramid Exodus from persecution

Islam was shamed by losses during World War I

Now they want to capture the glory again

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 42

Page 43: Faith that endures   persecution

Persecution middle east Where Shari’a law reigns – no

churches, Christians are persecuted/hunted

Liberalism – Still illegal to convert from Islam Some toleration, but conversions may

trigger violent reactions

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 43

Page 44: Faith that endures   persecution

Persecution middle east Extremism

Honor killings Blasphemy laws – imprisoned by simply a report

of it occurring mandating death for apostacy Frequent mob violence

Secular states – most tolerant – Turkey & Indonesia. Usually ostracism rather than killing for conversion

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 44

Page 45: Faith that endures   persecution

Pakistan Extremists use blasphemy law, and

even trying to change it is dangerous

Christians persecuted as an excuse

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 45

Page 46: Faith that endures   persecution

Saudi Arabia Extreme Wahabism No worship of any type except

Islam in Arabia They export these by building

mosques and staffing them with extremist leaders

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 46

Page 47: Faith that endures   persecution

Africa War – especially between the

Islamic north and Christian south Some Islamic nations feel

compelled to make them an Islamic state

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 47

Page 48: Faith that endures   persecution

Nigeria Although Shari’a law has been

declared unconstitutional, it has been implemented in the north, with great problems

More martyrs than virtually any other country in the world

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 48

Page 49: Faith that endures   persecution

Eritria More pastors than virtually any other

country Held in metal containers without charges Many have died Marxist government – originally allowed

Orthodox, Lutheran & Catholics but not evangelicals

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 49

Page 50: Faith that endures   persecution

Asia – Hindu zone (India & Nepal) Much persecution – Hindus fear

that many Dalits and Sudras will convert and undermine their system

Some atrocities – more like refusing them to use wells – some starved because they could not work & get water too

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 50

Page 51: Faith that endures   persecution

Asia – Communists – China, Vietnam, Laos, North Korea North Korea – like a Stalinist state

with draconian punishment China – some dissidents punished,

but not as much as formerly Vietnam – Christian community

growing; 4x Catholics vs. protestants

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 51

Page 52: Faith that endures   persecution

China Most house churches 50-70 members;

otherwise forced to join the state church Government suspicious of anything that is

not registered and under control Vietnam – more persecution for the

evangelicals Laos – mostly Khmu tribe are believers

and are persecuted05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 52

Page 53: Faith that endures   persecution

Muslim zone- Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia Indonesia has problems but is

officially not a Muslim-only country. Some violence has been experienced

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 53

Page 54: Faith that endures   persecution

Crises in China with the church

Political legitimacy – Communists parrot communism but push economic reforms

Social instability – jobs making many migrants

Discipleship crisis – not enough to properly disciple new converts

Social needs will increase with pressure on the churches to help

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 54

Page 55: Faith that endures   persecution

Sri Lanka Radical Buddhist monks organized –

they were losing power and money They used lies, intimidation, mobs,

media, and even murder Many church buildings were

destroyed, but the church continues to grow

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 55

Page 56: Faith that endures   persecution

Europe Secularization is partially a result of

reacting against the religious wars between Catholics and Protestants, and also some with Orthodox

Some escaped to the USA – Pilgrims also did some persecution. Two did not William Penn, Quacker Roger Williams, Baptist

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 56

Page 57: Faith that endures   persecution

Two problems in the West Religion is privatized and thus

excluded from the public sphere

Religion is relativized – a matter of taste – as part of the human rights revolution

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 57

Page 58: Faith that endures   persecution

Persecution in the west Anti-minority churches Anti-Christian elites Anti-absolutes culture

05/03/23 58

Page 59: Faith that endures   persecution

Anti-minority churches Primarily Roman Catholic and

Orthodox churches Russia – no church which is less than

15 years in Russia can continue

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 59

Page 60: Faith that endures   persecution

Anti-Christian elites Secular elites against Christians Avid “gay” activists We see attacks against various

small businesses -

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 60

Page 61: Faith that endures   persecution

Anti-absolute culture lies to challenge We have the freedom of choice to

be who we want and to do what we want

Marriage can be between ANY two people, and lasts only as long as they are happy

We’ll live in harmony if we tolerate the beliefs of others

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 61

Page 62: Faith that endures   persecution

Anti-absolute culture lies to challenge Art should break traditional norms

and challenge outworn beliefs Christian beliefs are a private matter Entertainment is a way to fulfill

personal desires God accepts us as we are, and there

are many ways to God

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 62

Page 63: Faith that endures   persecution

USA Job pressure to be politically

correct They want to replace religious values

with secular values Educational pressures to accept

liberal agenda Constitutional attempts to drive

religion from public life05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 63

Page 64: Faith that endures   persecution

Things to avoid when helping Overheaded rhetoric and publicity

We succeed with truth, not exaggeration Tactical polarization – saying that my

approach is the best or only approach to the problem

Propaganda parroting – repeating what information you have been fed

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 64

Page 65: Faith that endures   persecution

What to do? PRAY Prayer makes us closer to God

ourselves Prayer makes us part of the body of

Christ Prayer actually changes things during

the persecution True prayer is costly

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 65

Page 66: Faith that endures   persecution

Telling the truth publically Get permission first from the

individual or his family Talk with the local church leaders

and get their agreement Last resort, because it may

compromise further ministry Don’t give intelligence to the

authorities05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 66

Page 67: Faith that endures   persecution

Problems getting publicity Secular press under-estimates

importance of religion Difficult to document Political correctness, which views

Christians as persecutors Many are afraid to tell the truth

because of reactions

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 67

Page 68: Faith that endures   persecution

Private representation Not official, but quiet

representation Trust – avoid publicly giving shame Personal letters

05/03/23 68

Page 69: Faith that endures   persecution

Legal intervention Even when unsuccessful, it may

give ammunition for political pressure from the outside

Embarrassment effect against authorities

Empowering effect

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 69

Page 70: Faith that endures   persecution

Illegal intervention Occasionally demanded when obeying

God rather than man – e.g. Bible smuggling

Often the illegal may stimulate the legal; they make new laws to allow what should be happening

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 70

Page 71: Faith that endures   persecution

Political pressureIndividual to individual can work sometimesState to state

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 71

Page 72: Faith that endures   persecution

Positive engagement with Christians helping build society Business men can do this Others can work together

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 72

Page 73: Faith that endures   persecution

Principles for donors Personal contact with the

persecuted Get real information The persecuted want us to get the

message more than get our money Prayer should be an absolute

priority

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 73

Page 74: Faith that endures   persecution

Principles for donors Integrity

Morally straight Not pushing the founder or his family Board is independent and sound –

diverse, not just elderly lawyers Internal & external audit?

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 74

Page 75: Faith that endures   persecution

Principles for donors Integrity

Morally straight Not pushing the founder or his family Board is independent and sound –

diverse, not just elderly lawyers Internal & external audit?

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 75

Page 76: Faith that endures   persecution

Principles for donors Teamwork with other groups, because

of the complexity of persecution Address the long-term causes of

persecution Aware of the complexities of the

situation Is there experience over the long haul

without constant turnover?05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 76

Page 77: Faith that endures   persecution

Principles to donors Expect effective organizations to

have some scars and controversies But are they defensive, or confident Do they cut down other groups using

other tactics?

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 77

Page 78: Faith that endures   persecution

Lessons from the persecuted Faith model – am I walking the way

of the cross? Faith warning – Am I in enough

trouble for Jesus? Faith boost – Is my God big

enough?

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 78

Page 79: Faith that endures   persecution

The way of the cell – Wang Mingdao You need time to simplify and take time

to know God We don’t know how God will use us, but

we are always in His care, even when things don’t make sense

The persecuted are aware of those idols (persons/ideas) demanding worship, which we don’t recognize in the USA

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 79

Page 80: Faith that endures   persecution

God works through the yielded life God builds his kingdom not on our

achievements, but on our sacrifices God takes the yielded life, not the

fulfilled life. Those who try to save their lives lose them, but those who lose their lives for His sake find them…

We must die first to receive resurrection power

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 80

Page 81: Faith that endures   persecution

Persecution empties us We can be filled with Christ

because we have been emptied of self

The persecuted model dying to self for Christ, but also being filled with His joy

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 81

Page 82: Faith that endures   persecution

Am I in enough trouble for Jesus? Idols – anything replacing God

being in first place Our culture is hostile to Christ A radical life in Christ will be

persecuted

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 82

Page 83: Faith that endures   persecution

We struggle against Our reluctant hearts The blinding allure of the world

system The lies of the devil

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 83

Page 84: Faith that endures   persecution

The persecuted have a BIG God Their crises force them to rely on

God Two ways

Deliverance Endurance

05/03/23 Les 1 Santa Jejej 84