Persecution Blog

Most Read Posts of 2015: #3

This week on the Persecution Blog we are looking back at the top six most-read stories of 2015, based on the posts that created the most traffic throughout the year.

Today is #3. One of the things we always want to encourage readers to do is to PRAY for our persecuted family. And the desire of our readers to pray for our persecuted family is reflected in the fact that our third-most-read post of the year was a list posted in February of 40 ways to pray, as well as a challenge to pray for persecuted Christians throughout the season of Lent. These prayer suggestions work equally well today and this month. You can also be reminded to pray through The Voice of the Martyrs Pray Today app for your tablet or smart phone.

Come back every day this week as we count down to the most-read post of 2015 on Saturday.

Lent: 40 Days of Prayer for our Persecuted Family

Today marks the beginning of Lent, celebrated by many Christian traditions around the world. The Lent celebration is a reference to the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and facing temptations by Satan in the wilderness. Traditionally, it is a time which Christians devote to prayer in order to draw closer to God in the days leading up to Easter. Here are 40 ways you can pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters:

Pray for Your Persecuted Family

1. Pray that persecuted believers will sense God’s presence.
2. Pray that they will feel connected to the greater Body of Christ.
3. Pray that they will be comforted by God when their family members are killed, injured or imprisoned for their witness.
4. Pray that they will have more opportunities to share the gospel.
5. Pray for their boldness to make Christ known.
6. Pray that they will forgive and love their persecutors.
7. Pray that their ministry activities will remain undetected by authorities or others who wish to silences them.
8. Pray that they will rejoice in suffering.
9. Pray that they will be refreshed through God’s Word and grow in their faith.
10. Pray that they will be strengthened through the prayers of fellow believers.

Pray for Front-Line Workers

11. Pray that the Lord provides opportunities for front-line workers to share the gospel.
12. Pray that the Lord prepares the hearts of those who will hear the gospel.
13. Ask for favor among those to whom front-line workers are ministering.
14. Ask that ministry activities will remain unseen by potential persecutors.
15. Pray that front-line workers will be refreshed and strengthened in God’s Word daily.
16. Pray for peace in the worker’s hearts when traveling in especially difficult areas.
17. Pray for boldness and courage as workers carry out kingdom work.
18. Pray for the workers’ family members, as they often face long periods of separation.
19. Pray that front-line workers will be encouraged, knowing that others are praying for them.
20. Pray that front-line workers will have a real sense of the presence of God.

Pray for VOM’s Work in Restricted and Hostile Nations

21. Pray for the families of those killed for their faith.
22. Pray for those injured because they are Christians.
23. Pray that believers in need of Bibles in hostile and restricted nations will receive them.
24. Pray for Bible smuggling and printing efforts in closed countries.
25. Pray for those sharing the gospel on the front-lines and in the most dangerous places.
26. Pray for those supporting evangelists and other front-line workers.
27. Pray for those distributing Action Packs and other aid items to persecuted Christians.

Pray for Prisoners, Widows and Orphans

28. Pray for the health of those being held in prison. Many do not receive even basic medical care, and need God’s healing and comfort.
29. Pray for Chinese believers and others who are forced to do hard labor in prison.
30. Pray for Eritrean believers who are arrested for practicing their faith and held in harsh conditions.
31. Pray for prisoners being held in Iran where believers face re-arrest, torture and even death.
32. Pray that letters written to prisoners through VOM’s Prisoner Alert page would be a source of encouragement and hope.
33. Pray that families of prisoners would be encouraged and feel God’s presence during times of sadness.
34. Pray for the many women who have been kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria. Ask God to help them remain steadfast in their Christian faith despite pressure to become Muslim.
35. Pray for the mothers, wives, children and family members of those whose family members have been killed, like the 21 Egyptian Christians who were killed by IS in Libya this week.
36. Pray that God will provide for the needs of the families of martyrs who are left behind.

God’s Continuing Work

37. Pray for God’s work to continue in restricted nations like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, North Korea, and other countries with anti-Christian laws.
38. Pray that the Gospel would be spread in every nation, tribe and tongue including hostile nations like Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Mindanao (Philippines).
39. Ask God to help you continue to remember the many needs of Christians from around the world and pray for believers by name through tools like www.iCommittoPray.com.
40. Pray for believers and those who have yet to hear the Word of God in specific countries through the VOM Prayer Map.

Today marks the beginning of Lent, celebrated by many Christian traditions around the world. The Lent celebration is a reference to the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and facing temptations by Satan in the wilderness. Traditionally, it is a time which Christians devote to prayer in order to draw closer to God in the days leading up to Easter. Here are 40 ways you can pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters:

Pray for Your Persecuted Family

1. Pray that persecuted believers will sense God’s presence.
2. Pray that they will feel connected to the greater Body of Christ.
3. Pray that they will be comforted by God when their family members are killed, injured or imprisoned for their witness.
4. Pray that they will have more opportunities to share the gospel.
5. Pray for their boldness to make Christ known.
6. Pray that they will forgive and love their persecutors.
7. Pray that their ministry activities will remain undetected by authorities or others who wish to silences them.
8. Pray that they will rejoice in suffering.
9. Pray that they will be refreshed through God’s Word and grow in their faith.
10. Pray that they will be strengthened through the prayers of fellow believers.

Pray for Front-Line Workers

11. Pray that the Lord provides opportunities for front-line workers to share the gospel.
12. Pray that the Lord prepares the hearts of those who will hear the gospel.
13. Ask for favor among those to whom front-line workers are ministering.
14. Ask that ministry activities will remain unseen by potential persecutors.
15. Pray that front-line workers will be refreshed and strengthened in God’s Word daily.
16. Pray for peace in the worker’s hearts when traveling in especially difficult areas.
17. Pray for boldness and courage as workers carry out kingdom work.
18. Pray for the workers’ family members, as they often face long periods of separation.
19. Pray that front-line workers will be encouraged, knowing that others are praying for them.
20. Pray that front-line workers will have a real sense of the presence of God.

Pray for VOM’s Work in Restricted and Hostile Nations

21. Pray for the families of those killed for their faith.
22. Pray for those injured because they are Christians.
23. Pray that believers in need of Bibles in hostile and restricted nations will receive them.
24. Pray for Bible smuggling and printing efforts in closed countries.
25. Pray for those sharing the gospel on the front-lines and in the most dangerous places.
26. Pray for those supporting evangelists and other front-line workers.
27. Pray for those distributing Action Packs and other aid items to persecuted Christians.

Pray for Prisoners, Widows and Orphans

28. Pray for the health of those being held in prison. Many do not receive even basic medical care, and need God’s healing and comfort.
29. Pray for Chinese believers and others who are forced to do hard labor in prison.
30. Pray for Eritrean believers who are arrested for practicing their faith and held in harsh conditions.
31. Pray for prisoners being held in Iran where believers face re-arrest, torture and even death.
32. Pray that letters written to prisoners through VOM’s Prisoner Alert page would be a source of encouragement and hope.
33. Pray that families of prisoners would be encouraged and feel God’s presence during times of sadness.
34. Pray for the many women who have been kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria. Ask God to help them remain steadfast in their Christian faith despite pressure to become Muslim.
35. Pray for the mothers, wives, children and family members of those whose family members have been killed, like the 21 Egyptian Christians who were killed by IS in Libya this week.
36. Pray that God will provide for the needs of the families of martyrs who are left behind.

God’s Continuing Work

37. Pray for God’s work to continue in restricted nations like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, North Korea, and other countries with anti-Christian laws.
38. Pray that the Gospel would be spread in every nation, tribe and tongue including hostile nations like Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Mindanao (Philippines).
39. Ask God to help you continue to remember the many needs of Christians from around the world and pray for believers by name through tools like www.iCommittoPray.com.
40. Pray for believers and those who have yet to hear the Word of God in specific countries through the VOM Prayer Map.

Most Read Posts of 2015: #4

This week on the Persecution Blog we are looking back at the top six most-read stories of 2015, based on the posts that created the most traffic throughout the year.

Today is #4. Amidst the controversy surrounding Muslim refugees, Todd Nettleton shared some personal thoughts about what the response of Christians should be. The post generated plenty of comments—both positive and negative. It was the fourth-most-read post on the Persecution Blog this year.  

Come back every day this week as we count down to the most-read post of 2015 on Saturday.

Three Thoughts on Refugees Coming To America

Recently a college friend asked my opinion about Syrian refugees and whether or not the US should allow them in. In recent weeks—especially since the Paris attacks—there has been much ado about Syrian refugees coming in, and how they are being screened, and the security concerns raised by allowing thousands of people from the war-torn Middle East into our nation. “What is the right thing for us as Christians to do?” my friend asked, crediting me with a lot more expertise than I actually possess.

I am not running for President and I’m glad that I don’t have to lay out a plan that tries to answer every question and every security concern. But as I have watched the news reports, read the angry Facebook posts and thought about what the right response is, I’ve been reminded of three things:

The first thing I thought of was the story in Matthew 25 about who Jesus welcomes into eternity with Him and who he turns away. To those He invites into paradise He says:

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I wasnaked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” (Mat. 25:34-36)

A few verses later, He explains to those He is turning away why they will not be welcomed into His presence, including that “I was a stranger and you did not take Me in” (v. 43).

As we think about refugees, this story seems to make imminently clear which response Jesus will honor.

The second thing I thought of was the story of Richard Wurmbrand, as he tells it in his best-selling book, Tortured For Christ. Richard had a great heart, after he committed his life to Christ, to reach Russians with the gospel message that had transformed him. “For me,” he wrote, “to preach the Gospel to Russians is heaven on earth.”

When a million Russian soldiers were sent in by their communist masters to occupy Wurmbrand’s native Romania, he didn’t protest the illegality or hunker down to ensure the safety of his family and church. Instead, Wurmbrand saw these one million armed men as a divine answer to his prayer! He loved to minister to Russians and had asked God to open the door for him to minister to more, and now ONE MILLION RUSSIANS were inside his country, within easy reach! Praise the Lord for this miracle!

I wonder how many Christians have asked God to open doors for them to minister to Muslims and share with them the LOVE of Jehovah God (something that is not offered by Allah of the Quran)? Is it possible refugees fleeing the chaos of their nation, and having seen up-close the darkness of Islam, might be God’s miraculous answer to some of those prayers?

The third thing I thought of was a message I heard from Joel Rosenberg, author and astute Christian thinker, one of the people I trust when it comes to Middle Eastern affairs. Earlier this year I had the privilege of hearing Rosenberg speak at the National Religious Broadcasters conference.

Rosenberg made a statement that wasn’t about refugees; he was talking about the Islamic State. “We need to defeat [ISIS] as enemies as a government,” Rosenberg said. “And we need to love them as enemies as a church.”

I was reminded of Rosenberg’s statement when thinking about refugees because I believe his statement shows that there are different responses from a government perspective than from a church or Christian perspective. Our government leaders take an oath “to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.” They have a responsibility to that oath, and in thinking about refugees they must think about the safety of American citizens and the need to carefully screen those whom America welcomes within her borders.

As followers of Christ we are loyal to our nation and pray for our leaders. We also hear Christ’s call for us to love our “enemies” and we know that our ultimate citizenship is not in the United States, but in a heavenly country (Heb. 11:16).

I’m not running for President. I don’t have any wish for a radical Islamic terrorist to move in next door to me. But I do want to honor Christ. I do want to be among those He invites into eternity with Him.

There are “strangers” coming out of the Middle East. They are fleeing chaos and war and terror. Some are fleeing persecution. Most see no hope for themselves in their country, or even the region.

God is giving us an opportunity, as Christians in America. An opportunity to follow Jesus’s clear instructions. An opportunity to reach Muslims with the gospel message.

I don’t see how, as Christ followers, we can close our ears to the refugees’ cry and our doors to their knock.

Todd Nettleton has served with The Voice of the Martyrs for 17 years. He’s travelled to more than 20 restricted and hostile nations and interviewed hundreds of believers who’ve faced persecution for their Christian witness. As VOM’s principle media spokesperson, Todd has done more than 2,000 interviews with media outlets ranging from Moody Radio to the BBC and Los Angeles Times. He is the principle author of Restricted Nations: North Korea and was part of the writing team for four other VOM books. In 2014 VOM launched a weekly, half-hour radio show with Todd as the host.

Recently a college friend asked my opinion about Syrian refugees and whether or not the US should allow them in. In recent weeks—especially since the Paris attacks—there has been much ado about Syrian refugees coming in, and how they are being screened, and the security concerns raised by allowing thousands of people from the war-torn Middle East into our nation. “What is the right thing for us as Christians to do?” my friend asked, crediting me with a lot more expertise than I actually possess.

I am not running for President and I’m glad that I don’t have to lay out a plan that tries to answer every question and every security concern. But as I have watched the news reports, read the angry Facebook posts and thought about what the right response is, I’ve been reminded of three things:

The first thing I thought of was the story in Matthew 25 about who Jesus welcomes into eternity with Him and who he turns away. To those He invites into paradise He says:

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I wasnaked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” (Mat. 25:34-36)

A few verses later, He explains to those He is turning away why they will not be welcomed into His presence, including that “I was a stranger and you did not take Me in” (v. 43).

As we think about refugees, this story seems to make imminently clear which response Jesus will honor.

The second thing I thought of was the story of Richard Wurmbrand, as he tells it in his best-selling book, Tortured For Christ. Richard had a great heart, after he committed his life to Christ, to reach Russians with the gospel message that had transformed him. “For me,” he wrote, “to preach the Gospel to Russians is heaven on earth.”

When a million Russian soldiers were sent in by their communist masters to occupy Wurmbrand’s native Romania, he didn’t protest the illegality or hunker down to ensure the safety of his family and church. Instead, Wurmbrand saw these one million armed men as a divine answer to his prayer! He loved to minister to Russians and had asked God to open the door for him to minister to more, and now ONE MILLION RUSSIANS were inside his country, within easy reach! Praise the Lord for this miracle!

I wonder how many Christians have asked God to open doors for them to minister to Muslims and share with them the LOVE of Jehovah God (something that is not offered by Allah of the Quran)? Is it possible refugees fleeing the chaos of their nation, and having seen up-close the darkness of Islam, might be God’s miraculous answer to some of those prayers?

The third thing I thought of was a message I heard from Joel Rosenberg, author and astute Christian thinker, one of the people I trust when it comes to Middle Eastern affairs. Earlier this year I had the privilege of hearing Rosenberg speak at the National Religious Broadcasters conference.

Rosenberg made a statement that wasn’t about refugees; he was talking about the Islamic State. “We need to defeat [ISIS] as enemies as a government,” Rosenberg said. “And we need to love them as enemies as a church.”

I was reminded of Rosenberg’s statement when thinking about refugees because I believe his statement shows that there are different responses from a government perspective than from a church or Christian perspective. Our government leaders take an oath “to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.” They have a responsibility to that oath, and in thinking about refugees they must think about the safety of American citizens and the need to carefully screen those whom America welcomes within her borders.

As followers of Christ we are loyal to our nation and pray for our leaders. We also hear Christ’s call for us to love our “enemies” and we know that our ultimate citizenship is not in the United States, but in a heavenly country (Heb. 11:16).

I’m not running for President. I don’t have any wish for a radical Islamic terrorist to move in next door to me. But I do want to honor Christ. I do want to be among those He invites into eternity with Him.

There are “strangers” coming out of the Middle East. They are fleeing chaos and war and terror. Some are fleeing persecution. Most see no hope for themselves in their country, or even the region.

God is giving us an opportunity, as Christians in America. An opportunity to follow Jesus’s clear instructions. An opportunity to reach Muslims with the gospel message.

I don’t see how, as Christ followers, we can close our ears to the refugees’ cry and our doors to their knock.

Todd Nettleton has served with The Voice of the Martyrs for 17 years. He’s travelled to more than 20 restricted and hostile nations and interviewed hundreds of believers who’ve faced persecution for their Christian witness. As VOM’s principle media spokesperson, Todd has done more than 2,000 interviews with media outlets ranging from Moody Radio to the BBC and Los Angeles Times. He is the principle author of Restricted Nations: North Korea and was part of the writing team for four other VOM books. In 2014 VOM launched a weekly, half-hour radio show with Todd as the host.

Most Read Posts in 2015: #5

This week on the Persecution Blog we are looking back at the top six most-read stories of 2015, based on the posts that created the most traffic throughout the year.

Today is #5. It seems that Persecution Blog readers are always fascinated by the real stories behind legendary holiday figures. This post told the real story of the man who is usually known today as Santa Claus, but in reality was a persecuted Christian, Nicholas of Myra.  

Come back every day this week as we count down to the most-read post of 2015 on Saturday.

St. Nicholas: The Real Story of the Man Who Became Santa Claus

Many American children are looking forward to the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, bearing presents for good little boys and girls. But most of those celebrating don't know that there is a real man behind the story of Santa Claus, and  that real man was a Christian persecuted because of his faith and actions.

The following is excerpted from "A Note from the Author to Parents and Educators" that is included inThe Story of St. Nicholas: More than Reindeer and a Red Suit, a book for children published by VOM that tells the true story of St. Nicholas of Myra, the man whose story became the basis of our modern-day Santa Claus.

Throughout history many legends about the life of Saint Nicholas of Myra have circulated around the world, bringing us to the man we know today as Santa Claus—a chubby man in a red suit who delivers presents to good boys and girls with his reindeer on Christmas Eve. 

But who is this man behind the myth of Santa Claus?

Nicholas of Myra was born in the third century in a province called Lycia, which was a part of the Roman Empire. Today ancient Lycia is a part of the country we know as Turkey. Nicholas is believed to have died around 343 A.D., on December 6^th, a date that is currently celebrated by many nations, such as Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, where it is called “Saint Nicholas Day.” For example, in Germany, children are known to put a boot, called a Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside their front door on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, hoping he will fill it with gifts if he thinks they were good. But if found bad, they will receive a lump of charcoal.

The real Nicholas was a man full of generosity and conviction. He was born to wealthy parents who, when they died, left him their fortune. He chose to use his inheritance to help those in need. For example, one of the vignettes in the book is about three sisters who were saved from life on the streets. Their father was unable to arrange suitable marriages because he did not have enough money for their dowries. (Therefore, the father was left with no choice but to sell them to a brothel.) Upon hearing this, Nicholas secretly threw bags of gold into the girls’ room. The father was elated and, after discovering his daughters’ mysterious benefactor, was sworn to secrecy by Nicholas that he would never tell anyone who had given him the gold.

Nicholas is recorded to have exposed the corruptness of a government official during a famine. He uncovered the governor’s deceitful actions of hoarding grain until the demand forced it into higher prices. Later, Nicholas intervened in an execution of three innocent men…all falsely accused by the same, crooked governor. It is said that one of the prisoners was situated on the block for decapitation, and Nicholas grabbed the sword from the executioner’s hands, setting all three men free. He was praised for his bravery.

Even though many have preserved the stories of Nicholas’ acts of righteousness, few know of his sufferings for Christ. When the Roman emperor Diocletian took power, he instigated a horrific persecution of Christians. Nicholas was imprisoned and physically tortured (pinched with hot iron pliers) for refusing to deny Jesus as God. One account mentions the prisons were so full of church leaders there was no room for the actual criminals.

After the reign of persecution ended, Nicholas would still face a fierce testing of his faith—this time within the church. A preacher named Arius began promoting a heresy that Jesus was not God in the flesh. Arius even went so far as to set his false teaching to music by putting words to popular drinking songs. Constantine, the new leader of the Roman Empire, called together church leaders at Nicea to discuss Arius’ teachings and other issues dividing the church. This was called the Council of Nicea. According to legend, as Arius was making his presentation, he began singing one of his blasphemous songs about Jesus. Unwilling to see this man shame Christ, Nicholas stood up and punched Arius in the mouth. Those in attendance were shocked! Although they understood Nicholas’ need to stand up for Christ’s reputation, they did not believe they could allow such behavior since Christ taught us to love our enemies and live a life of peace. Therefore, Nicholas was no longer allowed to serve as bishop. (It’s noted he was later restored to his position.) But this action did not stop Nicholas from serving the sick and needy.

Those who are persecuted for following Christ today are much like Nicholas of Myra: They humbly serve their fellow countrymen and courageously stand for the Lord when faced with the choice of prison with  Christ or no prisonwithoutChrist. His story of boldness and generosity in the face of persecution from the government and conflict within the church is for everyone. By any Christian definition, Nicholas was indeed a saint.

May Nicholas of Myra’s life challenge us to live generously by serving the poor and courageously by standing for Christ in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Him and His people!

Many American children are looking forward to the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, bearing presents for good little boys and girls. But most of those celebrating don't know that there is a real man behind the story of Santa Claus, and  that real man was a Christian persecuted because of his faith and actions.

The following is excerpted from "A Note from the Author to Parents and Educators" that is included inThe Story of St. Nicholas: More than Reindeer and a Red Suit, a book for children published by VOM that tells the true story of St. Nicholas of Myra, the man whose story became the basis of our modern-day Santa Claus.

Throughout history many legends about the life of Saint Nicholas of Myra have circulated around the world, bringing us to the man we know today as Santa Claus—a chubby man in a red suit who delivers presents to good boys and girls with his reindeer on Christmas Eve. 

But who is this man behind the myth of Santa Claus?

Nicholas of Myra was born in the third century in a province called Lycia, which was a part of the Roman Empire. Today ancient Lycia is a part of the country we know as Turkey. Nicholas is believed to have died around 343 A.D., on December 6^th, a date that is currently celebrated by many nations, such as Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, where it is called “Saint Nicholas Day.” For example, in Germany, children are known to put a boot, called a Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside their front door on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, hoping he will fill it with gifts if he thinks they were good. But if found bad, they will receive a lump of charcoal.

The real Nicholas was a man full of generosity and conviction. He was born to wealthy parents who, when they died, left him their fortune. He chose to use his inheritance to help those in need. For example, one of the vignettes in the book is about three sisters who were saved from life on the streets. Their father was unable to arrange suitable marriages because he did not have enough money for their dowries. (Therefore, the father was left with no choice but to sell them to a brothel.) Upon hearing this, Nicholas secretly threw bags of gold into the girls’ room. The father was elated and, after discovering his daughters’ mysterious benefactor, was sworn to secrecy by Nicholas that he would never tell anyone who had given him the gold.

Nicholas is recorded to have exposed the corruptness of a government official during a famine. He uncovered the governor’s deceitful actions of hoarding grain until the demand forced it into higher prices. Later, Nicholas intervened in an execution of three innocent men…all falsely accused by the same, crooked governor. It is said that one of the prisoners was situated on the block for decapitation, and Nicholas grabbed the sword from the executioner’s hands, setting all three men free. He was praised for his bravery.

Even though many have preserved the stories of Nicholas’ acts of righteousness, few know of his sufferings for Christ. When the Roman emperor Diocletian took power, he instigated a horrific persecution of Christians. Nicholas was imprisoned and physically tortured (pinched with hot iron pliers) for refusing to deny Jesus as God. One account mentions the prisons were so full of church leaders there was no room for the actual criminals.

After the reign of persecution ended, Nicholas would still face a fierce testing of his faith—this time within the church. A preacher named Arius began promoting a heresy that Jesus was not God in the flesh. Arius even went so far as to set his false teaching to music by putting words to popular drinking songs. Constantine, the new leader of the Roman Empire, called together church leaders at Nicea to discuss Arius’ teachings and other issues dividing the church. This was called the Council of Nicea. According to legend, as Arius was making his presentation, he began singing one of his blasphemous songs about Jesus. Unwilling to see this man shame Christ, Nicholas stood up and punched Arius in the mouth. Those in attendance were shocked! Although they understood Nicholas’ need to stand up for Christ’s reputation, they did not believe they could allow such behavior since Christ taught us to love our enemies and live a life of peace. Therefore, Nicholas was no longer allowed to serve as bishop. (It’s noted he was later restored to his position.) But this action did not stop Nicholas from serving the sick and needy.

Those who are persecuted for following Christ today are much like Nicholas of Myra: They humbly serve their fellow countrymen and courageously stand for the Lord when faced with the choice of prison with  Christ or no prisonwithoutChrist. His story of boldness and generosity in the face of persecution from the government and conflict within the church is for everyone. By any Christian definition, Nicholas was indeed a saint.

May Nicholas of Myra’s life challenge us to live generously by serving the poor and courageously by standing for Christ in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Him and His people!

Most Read Posts of 2015: #6

This week on the Persecution Blog we’ll be looking back at the top six most-read stories of 2015, based on the posts that created the most traffic throughout the year.

Today is #6, a post from March about the GOOD NEWS of what God is doing in the Muslim world. Come back every day this week as we’ll be counting down until we get to the most-read post of 2015 on Saturday.

Muslims are Coming To Christ

With the rise of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in 2014, and many terrorist killings already this year, it can be easy to focus on the negative. Instead, several Iranian Christian leaders worked together to share eight reasons why Muslims, particularly in Iran, are being drawn to Christianity more than ever before.

1)      Wherever political Islam enters the stage Muslims are drawn to Christ.

The healthiest governments are often those where religion and politics are kept separate, and the most corrupt governments are usually those where religion and politics are mixed together. Wherever religion takes on a political dimension, it results in a religious dictatorship and people are deprived of democracy, permissible freedoms and choice. The rulers end up making all the decisions. We see it today in countries like Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia as well as others where religion and politics are intertwined. This has laid the groundwork for people to take refuge in Christ.

2)      Disasters and tragedies can help lead Muslims to Christ.

History has shown that disasters, wars, fleeing refugees, earthquakes, famines, illness, terror and persecution prepares people to be ready to hear the Gospel of Christ. The Bible says, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (Psalm 119: 71). Usually in the face of disaster and national calamities, it is Christian charities who offer assistance to those facing such disasters. Many refugees who have lived for years in some of the most difficult circumstances with no help from the government or United Nations have responded positively to the Gospel, especially in places like Iran and Afghanistan.

3)      Emigration and refugees are meeting believers and hearing the Gospel.

Many who have left their home country as emigrants or refugees, especially from Iran, have come in contact with Christians and been drawn to Christ. Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran, approximately six million Iranians have moved to other countries as either immigrants or refugees over the past 36 years. Many Iranians also travel as visitors to other countries before returning home. Wherever they go, be it Europe, the United States, or neighboring countries, they usually meet up with Iranian believers and become acquainted with the message of the Gospel. This has resulted in a tremendous growth of Iranian believers, and this has impacted their friends and families in Iran. This can be said of other groups as well, and the number of Afghan believers is increasing rapidly as well.

4)      Miracles, healings and answers to prayer are drawing many to Christ.

Miracles, healings and answers to prayer though Christ is another way of drawing Muslims to Christ. Muslims, who have some knowledge of the Quran, believe that no prophet did as many miracles as Jesus did. There are many stories and testimonies, especially among Iranians who have been drawn to Christ in this way. In fact the miraculous work of God in Iran is so great that there is no other country that is experiencing it on this scale. In the same way, through visions and dreams, God is revealing himself and the truth of the Gospel. There are many Muslim converts in Iran who are not connected to any house church or Christian leader. It seems that the Lord does not give knowledge of all of these believers to us or other groups working among the house churches because we could not cope with the response. When we are ready, then God will gradually introduce them to us in his time.

5)      Blossoming of cultural identity and knowledge spreads the Gospel.

This blossoming of cultural identity and the knowledge of other ethnic groups has also helped to draw Muslims to Christ. Our century is a technological one based around the Internet. People from different cultures and countries are getting to know each other. We live in an age of communication where people are no longer restricted to one way of thinking or one particular ethnic group. One positive aspect of this is that many Muslims, despite the controls over the means of communication, find a way through various websites to become acquainted with the message, culture and ways of thinking of Christians and also with the personality of Christ. If someone wants to find Christ, that person will find a way.

Concerning Iranian people, the culture, customs and thinking of Iranians is vastly different from those of Islam and Arabic backgrounds. In the Iranian history of civilization, there are poets and writers who express themes of love, freedom, forgiveness, truth, equality and justice throughout their literary works; truths that are found more in Christianity rather than Islam. People inside Iran today face pressure, lies, violence, discrimination and hate. Since the Islamic Revolution, 80 percent of the population are disillusioned and tired. They are searching for the God who is love and just and where there is salvation, equality, truth and freedom and this God can only be found in Christ. It is for this reason that when Iranians hear the Gospel, they respond positively. And again it is for this reason that the Iranian government has forbidden the printing, distribution and sharing of the Gospel and even announced that it is dangerous. They spend all their efforts on closing down the evangelical churches and the production of Christian resources in the Persian language. However, Paul reminds us that no one can prevent the spread of the Gospel. Praise the Lord!

6)      Radio and satellite television allow many to hear Christian broadcasts.

It is clear that radio and satellite television has a vital role in helping Muslims to get to know the Gospel. Fortunately, the number of Christian radio and TV channels in Arabic, Turkish, Urdu and Persian related languages are many and are on the increase. Some of these channels are 24/7 and in fact as far as Persian is concerned, there are now four 24/7 channels. There are millions of viewers both inside and outside Iran. Iranian preachers and teachers are doing all they can to produce good quality programming. In addition to these channels, other preachers have Christian programs on some of the political channels as well. There has never been such an opportunity for Muslims to hear the Gospel, especially in view of all the restrictions that exist in Iran. The effectiveness of all these programs bringing the Gospel into people’s homes is seen through the many testimonies that exist.

7)      Churches around the world sending workers into the Muslim World.

Churches throughout the world are involved in sending missionaries and workers into the Muslim World. In spite of the fact that many governments have restricted access to such workers by not granting residence or visas, we are aware of many tent workers, teachers and medical personnel who have entered the Muslim World. They have sacrificially learned the culture, customs and language in order to spread the Gospel. Workers are not exclusively from the West, and many entering the Muslim World are from countries in South America and even from countries in the Far East such as China, Japan and South Korea. There are many organizations that are supporting them to fulfil the commission to preach the Gospel. Furthermore, there are many workers who cannot travel to these countries, but operate behind the scenes to help those on the front lines. In this way, the work will not stop.

8)      God is exposing the truth and reality of Islam.

As God has exposed the reality of Islam, this in turn has led to many Muslims becoming disillusioned with Islam and being drawn to Christ. In fact the best way of exposing Islam is when the extremists take over. Even while it is true that moderate Muslims say that what is happening is not connected with Islam, many Muslims are realizing that Islam has its roots in terror. In any country where Islam develops, so also violence, terror, rape, compulsion, lies and dictatorship increases.

In the history of Iran there has never been an “evangelist” such as Khomeini who has helped people to know what Islam is really all about and therefore has prepared the way for Christ in the same way as John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ. A new building cannot be built on an old foundation. The old has to be demolished so that a new foundation can be built. God is allowing Muslim leaders to destroy the old Islamic foundation so that a new Christian foundation can be built. The situation in Iran today is that Islam is weakening and therefore we must use every opportunity and every method to enable people to hear the Gospel.

Dory P. has worked with VOM for eight years. She grew up in Ecuador, met her husband while working with another mission organization, and now lives in Oklahoma. Between Dory, her husband, four-year-old son and one-year-old daughter, the family shares seven passports. Dory helps tell the stories of the persecuted through VOM's newsletter, and her husband serves with VOM's international department.

With the rise of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in 2014, and many terrorist killings already this year, it can be easy to focus on the negative. Instead, several Iranian Christian leaders worked together to share eight reasons why Muslims, particularly in Iran, are being drawn to Christianity more than ever before.

1)      Wherever political Islam enters the stage Muslims are drawn to Christ.

The healthiest governments are often those where religion and politics are kept separate, and the most corrupt governments are usually those where religion and politics are mixed together. Wherever religion takes on a political dimension, it results in a religious dictatorship and people are deprived of democracy, permissible freedoms and choice. The rulers end up making all the decisions. We see it today in countries like Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia as well as others where religion and politics are intertwined. This has laid the groundwork for people to take refuge in Christ.

2)      Disasters and tragedies can help lead Muslims to Christ.

History has shown that disasters, wars, fleeing refugees, earthquakes, famines, illness, terror and persecution prepares people to be ready to hear the Gospel of Christ. The Bible says, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (Psalm 119: 71). Usually in the face of disaster and national calamities, it is Christian charities who offer assistance to those facing such disasters. Many refugees who have lived for years in some of the most difficult circumstances with no help from the government or United Nations have responded positively to the Gospel, especially in places like Iran and Afghanistan.

3)      Emigration and refugees are meeting believers and hearing the Gospel.

Many who have left their home country as emigrants or refugees, especially from Iran, have come in contact with Christians and been drawn to Christ. Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran, approximately six million Iranians have moved to other countries as either immigrants or refugees over the past 36 years. Many Iranians also travel as visitors to other countries before returning home. Wherever they go, be it Europe, the United States, or neighboring countries, they usually meet up with Iranian believers and become acquainted with the message of the Gospel. This has resulted in a tremendous growth of Iranian believers, and this has impacted their friends and families in Iran. This can be said of other groups as well, and the number of Afghan believers is increasing rapidly as well.

4)      Miracles, healings and answers to prayer are drawing many to Christ.

Miracles, healings and answers to prayer though Christ is another way of drawing Muslims to Christ. Muslims, who have some knowledge of the Quran, believe that no prophet did as many miracles as Jesus did. There are many stories and testimonies, especially among Iranians who have been drawn to Christ in this way. In fact the miraculous work of God in Iran is so great that there is no other country that is experiencing it on this scale. In the same way, through visions and dreams, God is revealing himself and the truth of the Gospel. There are many Muslim converts in Iran who are not connected to any house church or Christian leader. It seems that the Lord does not give knowledge of all of these believers to us or other groups working among the house churches because we could not cope with the response. When we are ready, then God will gradually introduce them to us in his time.

5)      Blossoming of cultural identity and knowledge spreads the Gospel.

This blossoming of cultural identity and the knowledge of other ethnic groups has also helped to draw Muslims to Christ. Our century is a technological one based around the Internet. People from different cultures and countries are getting to know each other. We live in an age of communication where people are no longer restricted to one way of thinking or one particular ethnic group. One positive aspect of this is that many Muslims, despite the controls over the means of communication, find a way through various websites to become acquainted with the message, culture and ways of thinking of Christians and also with the personality of Christ. If someone wants to find Christ, that person will find a way.

Concerning Iranian people, the culture, customs and thinking of Iranians is vastly different from those of Islam and Arabic backgrounds. In the Iranian history of civilization, there are poets and writers who express themes of love, freedom, forgiveness, truth, equality and justice throughout their literary works; truths that are found more in Christianity rather than Islam. People inside Iran today face pressure, lies, violence, discrimination and hate. Since the Islamic Revolution, 80 percent of the population are disillusioned and tired. They are searching for the God who is love and just and where there is salvation, equality, truth and freedom and this God can only be found in Christ. It is for this reason that when Iranians hear the Gospel, they respond positively. And again it is for this reason that the Iranian government has forbidden the printing, distribution and sharing of the Gospel and even announced that it is dangerous. They spend all their efforts on closing down the evangelical churches and the production of Christian resources in the Persian language. However, Paul reminds us that no one can prevent the spread of the Gospel. Praise the Lord!

6)      Radio and satellite television allow many to hear Christian broadcasts.

It is clear that radio and satellite television has a vital role in helping Muslims to get to know the Gospel. Fortunately, the number of Christian radio and TV channels in Arabic, Turkish, Urdu and Persian related languages are many and are on the increase. Some of these channels are 24/7 and in fact as far as Persian is concerned, there are now four 24/7 channels. There are millions of viewers both inside and outside Iran. Iranian preachers and teachers are doing all they can to produce good quality programming. In addition to these channels, other preachers have Christian programs on some of the political channels as well. There has never been such an opportunity for Muslims to hear the Gospel, especially in view of all the restrictions that exist in Iran. The effectiveness of all these programs bringing the Gospel into people’s homes is seen through the many testimonies that exist.

7)      Churches around the world sending workers into the Muslim World.

Churches throughout the world are involved in sending missionaries and workers into the Muslim World. In spite of the fact that many governments have restricted access to such workers by not granting residence or visas, we are aware of many tent workers, teachers and medical personnel who have entered the Muslim World. They have sacrificially learned the culture, customs and language in order to spread the Gospel. Workers are not exclusively from the West, and many entering the Muslim World are from countries in South America and even from countries in the Far East such as China, Japan and South Korea. There are many organizations that are supporting them to fulfil the commission to preach the Gospel. Furthermore, there are many workers who cannot travel to these countries, but operate behind the scenes to help those on the front lines. In this way, the work will not stop.

8)      God is exposing the truth and reality of Islam.

As God has exposed the reality of Islam, this in turn has led to many Muslims becoming disillusioned with Islam and being drawn to Christ. In fact the best way of exposing Islam is when the extremists take over. Even while it is true that moderate Muslims say that what is happening is not connected with Islam, many Muslims are realizing that Islam has its roots in terror. In any country where Islam develops, so also violence, terror, rape, compulsion, lies and dictatorship increases.

In the history of Iran there has never been an “evangelist” such as Khomeini who has helped people to know what Islam is really all about and therefore has prepared the way for Christ in the same way as John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ. A new building cannot be built on an old foundation. The old has to be demolished so that a new foundation can be built. God is allowing Muslim leaders to destroy the old Islamic foundation so that a new Christian foundation can be built. The situation in Iran today is that Islam is weakening and therefore we must use every opportunity and every method to enable people to hear the Gospel.

Dory P. has worked with VOM for eight years. She grew up in Ecuador, met her husband while working with another mission organization, and now lives in Oklahoma. Between Dory, her husband, four-year-old son and one-year-old daughter, the family shares seven passports. Dory helps tell the stories of the persecuted through VOM's newsletter, and her husband serves with VOM's international department.

Encouraging Children in the Face of Suffering

Millions of people have watched the recent video of a father and young son at an informal memorial site in front of a theater in Paris. A reporter captured them talking about the November 13^th terrorist attacks. 

The father gently comforts the boy, who is worried about the “very, very, very, bad” people who “can shoot us.” Calmly and kindly, the father answers his son’s questions, and does not encourage him to be fearful or to hate.

As Christians, we have even more to offer children when they ask questions about the suffering of Christians and others. We can remind them that the Bible tells us many times to not be afraid, because Jesus is always with us, God loves us very much, and He always watches over us.

Sometimes it can be more difficult to explain why we shouldn’t hate our enemies. After children listened to stories of persecution at a VOM children’s event almost 15 years ago, some of them reacted by saying, “I hate Muslims.”

At subsequent events, we emphasized Jesus’ command to, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” We told them that VOM founder Richard Wurmbrand noted that, “Jesus fears and hates no one.” We told them about Pastor Wally, who said “I-s-l-a-m” stands for “I sincerely love all Muslims.” Pastor Wally said this after he was imprisoned and beaten by Muslims for his Christian activities in Saudi Arabia.

Most of all, we can emphasize persecuted Christians’ courage, obedience, and joy in following Christ, rather than graphic details of persecution.

• Peace, a first-grader in Asia, boldly called out to Buddhists in his grandmother’s temple, “Jesus is God!”
• Myriam, a 10-year-old Iraqi refugee, forgives ISIS fighters who drove her from her home.
• Evelyn, a girl who escaped from Nigerian kidnappers, said, “I thank God that He kept me alive….I am ready and willing to work for God.”

And, of course, we can assure children that God hears their prayers for the persecuted and for the repentance of their persecutors.

VOM’s Kids of Courage resources help parents and educators teach children ages 5 to 13 about persecuted Christians around the world, and provide opportunities for children to serve and pray for them. Learn more at  www.kidsofcourage.com.

Taking Care of Widows

When I think of Nigeria, there are a number of things that run through my mind. The news we hear is often tragic stories of Christian persecution, but I wanted to introduce you to some of the beautiful faces of a group of twenty-five widows whose lives are being restored. 

From Christian areas in Yobe state, every woman in the group suffered significant losses as a result of the ISIS-affiliated Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram. While the women were given immediate support through their churches, they lacked a long-term plan for supporting their families.

“Life has not been easy,” Mary Philips, one of the widows explained, “we are seriously passing through hard times. Our children need to go to school, they need to have the basic needs for living.”

Thus, VOM decided to come alongside them by providing funds and training for the women to start microbusinesses. Only 25 were admitted to the program, and they first had to be referred by someone who believes they are trustworthy as well as capable.

A small business selling food, jewelry or other items will allow these women to provide for their families instead of depending on others. During the training seminar, they learned important aspects of starting a business venture, money management and success strategies.

At the end of the training, each of the women was given a contract to sign stating that she agrees to accept the grant equivalent to approximately $500 to be used for a business and that she will provide quarterly progress reports to the program’s coordinator.

“The Lord has come to our rescue,” Mary said. The women shared similar expressions of gratitude for the opportunity to start their own businesses, and appreciation that others were standing by them during a time of need. Mary says that she believes that “things will turn around in our homes” as a result.

Editor's note: You can support VOM's ministry to widows like these in Nigeria by giving online to the Families of Martyrs Fund.

 “Ann Kay” is a writer for VOM. She learned about VOM five years ago when she read Tortured for Christ and began receiving the newsletter. She is passionate about reaching the world for Christ and sharing stories of the persecuted church.

VOM Radio: Best Moments of 2015

In its first full year of broadcasting, VOM Radio has had the opportunity to share some amazing stories!

Listeners have heard stories of God's faithfulness and protection over believers in hostile and restricted nations. We've shared stories of enemies of the gospel—even ISIS fighters!—coming to know Jesus Christ personally. We've lengthened your prayer list and given ideas about how you can share the gospel with Muslims and others in your sphere of influence.

This week we share some of the best moments of this first full year of VOM Radio. Listen now to catch up on highlights of the program that was recently named Radio Program of the Year by the National Religious Broadcasters.

 

You can also subscribe to the VOM Radio podcast to hear every episode of VOM Radio.

"Any Christian is Worth a Bullet"

Earlier this year, I traveled to meet with Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The national crisis facing Lebanon is noteworthy. A country long known for its hospitable people, towering cedars and beautiful shores has been flooded by Syrians who have been displaced by the spread of Islamic extremists and government troops.

I traveled from Beirut into the interior of Lebanon, to a wide valley dotted with camps established by the United Nations and various aid organizations. The survivors who occupy these refugee centers stand in long lines to receive the basic necessities of life. They live in tents, lean-to shelters and even concrete factories. I met with a family of five occupying a single room, with a closet-sized adjoining room where they cooked over an open flame.

One family looked particularly “shell-shocked” and distressed. As we began to talk, I learned that the day before my interview with this Syrian Christian family, ISIS came into their former village and killed four men and two women, including their 28-year-old niece. Reportedly, she desperately struggled with the insurgents, refusing to go with them. Finally, they slit her throat and left her in the street.

Understandably, this family refused to be interviewed on camera, or even to have their voices recorded. They were reared under a Syrian regime of terror and now they live in fear of ISIS. It is hard for us to comprehend how deeply traumatized many of these families are.

I also met with a former Syrian military officer. Years ago, he was sent abroad to study for his military specialty. While completing his training overseas, he became a Christian. Immediately upon his return to Damascus he was rejected by his Muslim family.

He reported that he has endured many trials, but that they have been "beautiful trials." He also said, as so many have said before him, that "Jesus has been with me every day.” Because of his unique situation, he had the opportunity to immigrate to a European country but he chose to stay and to minister instead. He chose to be a light in the darkness of this overwhelming crisis.

He highlighted the distinctive shift in the challenges that Syrian Christians face. Formerly, Syrian Christians were threatened by the government. He shared that years ago he experienced intense struggles with Syrian police but noted that they would not kill him because of the government structure that was in place. Now, he said, with ISIS in control "any Christian is worth a bullet."

What compels Christians to stay and continue to minister in these types of situations?  It is only by God’s grace, and they will be the first to admit that. But their examples challenge us to look at our own posture toward those who are displaced. How is God calling us to respond to the refugee crisis?  Are we willing to minister to our family members who continue to suffer because of Islamic extremists, even if it costs us something…or maybe everything? Are we willing to reach out to those who have been admitted into our own countries, or will we be the next stop on a long journey of painful rejections that they have already experienced?

Dr. Jason Peters serves as Associate Vice President of Connection for The Voice of the Martyrs and travels frequently to meet with our persecuted sisters and brothers. He has ministered in 40 countries, as diverse as Iraq, Cuba, Nepal, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Burma, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia and Nigeria. Jason ministered as a military chaplain for more than 18 years, with assignments at the Pentagon, the US Air Force Academy and as a faculty member of the Air Force Chaplain Corps College, where he directed Crisis and Trauma training. Jason and his wife Kimberly lived overseas for several years, where two of their five children were born.

More Than Ideology

The atrocities committed by terrorists against Christians are generally attributed to their ideology. Usually it falls into the category of radical jihadist ideology. While ideology may play a role of being a catalyst that spawns extreme violence, there is something deeper and darker that is the root cause of such evil acts. It is more than just a clash of ideologies—the infidel verses the jihadist.

Back in the late 1960s when the Western world was fascinated with secularism and rejecting any need for a supernatural realm, there was a theologian at Harvard Divinity School who saw things differently. Secularists would attribute violent acts against humanity (and the persecution of Christians) to social conflict caused by economic, cultural, or political factors but not by any intervention of the supernatural world. Arthur C. McGill, then Bussey Professor of Theology, saw things differently and from my perspective, he saw them correctly. His little book, Suffering: the Test of Theological Method, describes the origin of violence and suffering which eerily describes our contemporary situation.

McGill addresses the question how an omnipotent God can allow suffering and violence to pervade the world. He approaches the topic by examining the concept of power. He contrasts the two opposing powers in the world—the demonic and the power of God. What he gives to the reader is a very interesting analysis of the power of domination that causes the suffering of people (demonic) but contrasting this with the self-giving, self-expenditure of God as the expression of his power and love.

McGill begins his discussion with a description of violence. He writes: “When suffering is caused by an excessive application of power and there gives a person the experience of being twisted or crushed by that power, we have an instance of violence” (20). Suffering is the result of an abuse of power. This correlates with our topic of suffering for righteousness’ sake or for Christ but I think McGill had a wider view of human rights abuses and oppression and was not specifically thinking of the oppression of the church. Still, what he says gives insight into the dynamic of persecution and suffering.

The seriousness of violent suffering, says McGill, is not just one of the inevitabilities of life that people expect and learn to live with, but it is the “scandal” that “threatens to undermine all confidence in decent values that make life possible” (21). In many ways he has captured the psychological effect that terrorists seek to cause, and in some cases it is the intent of persecutors to demoralize the church.

If one were to poll at random people today, most likely they would have a negative view of power. McGill believes that most people think that the “most decisive manifestation of power exhibited today is destructive power” (47). These destructive powers, he says, have a very peculiar character. They intrude the human scene and then suddenly withdraw with such arbitrary suddenness that it is difficult to rationally define them. They seem to have no faces or names. They just erupt and disappear (47-48). Terrorists or persecutors swoop in, burn churches and homes, kill Christians, kidnap children and then disappear into the night.

McGill explains why Christians experience violence from the world. When a  Christian renounces the power of domination as his lord, he/she provokes the world to rise up in violence against him/her (114). The world reacts against Christians to inflict pain and suffering on them (114).

McGill describes demons as “that peculiar energy of destruction.” He is not denying that demons are spiritual entities but he is focusing more on the function of demons—the energy or power of destruction.

The energy of destruction accelerates and radicalizes human emotion. He writes: “the dynamic of hate…magnifies the hostility into inhuman proportions, until it becomes an insatiable rage” (48). This energy enters into the inner life of a person and carries them into “inconceivable excesses of brutality” (50). This sounds all too familiar as our world seems bent on further escalating violence, brutality, and inconceivable inhuman actions of terror and rage, often against Christians.

Although he does not address the issue clearly, McGill appears to disregard the idea of original sin or of personal evil embedded in the human soul. His emphasis is more on human evil being the result of enslavement to the diabolical kingdom (51). He does say that the evil of human sin is “not primarily [italics mine] his perverse will or corrupt nature.” That statement implies that he believes sin has corrupted human nature but that it is not enough to explain the extreme acts of evil we are seeing now days. No doubt the fact that humans are able to be enslaved by the diabolical kingdom factors heavily in extreme acts of brutality and even persecution. According to McGill, the New Testament teaches that demons are the source of oppressive power (87).

The question that often arises in the minds of people in the world is, in view of the terribly destructive forces we are seeing and experiencing, how can Christians say that God is the Lord of the world?

McGill answers the question by contrasting the powers of domination with God. He begins with the statement that Jesus, through both his teachings and actions, “stands forth as the advocate of love.” This love is defined as self-expenditure for another’s needs” (53). On the part of Jesus, it is his “deliberate and uninhibited willingness” to expend himself for others. Jesus is not telling humanity how to change or reshape their lives. He is telling them what their individual lives would become when and if they participated in God’s own life, which means that their lives become “a momentum of self-expending service” (59). Jesus reveals to the world that God’s Lordship and sovereignty does not consist in the domination of humanity but by giving his own life to and for them (93).

In one of the more descriptive passages of the book, McGill describes what was going on at the cross:

“In that event the entire energy of the world moves in unison to destroy Jesus and to prove that the power to deprive holds sway. The disciples desert, deny, and betray him. Jesus is whipped, mocked, and tortured. In the end he dies” (21).

But Jesus is not a passive victim but continues to be active in at least two ways. First, he offers all that he does and is to the glory of God and, second, he expends himself to serve he needs of his brothers, which shows the emptiness of satanic power (94). Redemption in Christ now means that humans are liberated from satanic power and they are, in turn, possessed by the power and presence of God (93).

The answer to the brutality of our age is defeating the diabolical kingdom through spiritual warfare in the form of prayer. We must kill the root, and evil ideology will wither and die.

Roy Stults, PhD, is the Online Workshop Coordinator and Educational Services Coordinator for The Voice of the Martyrs. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University (BA and MA), Nazarene Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Doctor of Missiology), and The University of Manchester (England) with a PhD (theology). A Vietnam veteran, Dr. Stults served as a missionary for 19 years and pastored U.S. churches for eight years. Prior to joining VOM, he was a Professor of Religion at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

St. Nicholas: The Real Story of the Man Who Became Santa Claus

Many American children are looking forward to the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, bearing presents for good little boys and girls. But most of those celebrating don't know that there is a real man behind the story of Santa Claus, and  that real man was a Christian persecuted because of his faith and actions.

The following is excerpted from "A Note from the Author to Parents and Educators" that is included inThe Story of St. Nicholas: More than Reindeer and a Red Suit, a book for children published by VOM that tells the true story of St. Nicholas of Myra, the man whose story became the basis of our modern-day Santa Claus.

Throughout history many legends about the life of Saint Nicholas of Myra have circulated around the world, bringing us to the man we know today as Santa Claus—a chubby man in a red suit who delivers presents to good boys and girls with his reindeer on Christmas Eve. 

But who is this man behind the myth of Santa Claus?

Nicholas of Myra was born in the third century in a province called Lycia, which was a part of the Roman Empire. Today ancient Lycia is a part of the country we know as Turkey. Nicholas is believed to have died around 343 A.D., on December 6^th, a date that is currently celebrated by many nations, such as Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, where it is called “Saint Nicholas Day.” For example, in Germany, children are known to put a boot, called a Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside their front door on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, hoping he will fill it with gifts if he thinks they were good. But if found bad, they will receive a lump of charcoal.

The real Nicholas was a man full of generosity and conviction. He was born to wealthy parents who, when they died, left him their fortune. He chose to use his inheritance to help those in need. For example, one of the vignettes in the book is about three sisters who were saved from life on the streets. Their father was unable to arrange suitable marriages because he did not have enough money for their dowries. (Therefore, the father was left with no choice but to sell them to a brothel.) Upon hearing this, Nicholas secretly threw bags of gold into the girls’ room. The father was elated and, after discovering his daughters’ mysterious benefactor, was sworn to secrecy by Nicholas that he would never tell anyone who had given him the gold.

Nicholas is recorded to have exposed the corruptness of a government official during a famine. He uncovered the governor’s deceitful actions of hoarding grain until the demand forced it into higher prices. Later, Nicholas intervened in an execution of three innocent men…all falsely accused by the same, crooked governor. It is said that one of the prisoners was situated on the block for decapitation, and Nicholas grabbed the sword from the executioner’s hands, setting all three men free. He was praised for his bravery.

Even though many have preserved the stories of Nicholas’ acts of righteousness, few know of his sufferings for Christ. When the Roman emperor Diocletian took power, he instigated a horrific persecution of Christians. Nicholas was imprisoned and physically tortured (pinched with hot iron pliers) for refusing to deny Jesus as God. One account mentions the prisons were so full of church leaders there was no room for the actual criminals.

After the reign of persecution ended, Nicholas would still face a fierce testing of his faith—this time within the church. A preacher named Arius began promoting a heresy that Jesus was not God in the flesh. Arius even went so far as to set his false teaching to music by putting words to popular drinking songs. Constantine, the new leader of the Roman Empire, called together church leaders at Nicea to discuss Arius’ teachings and other issues dividing the church. This was called the Council of Nicea. According to legend, as Arius was making his presentation, he began singing one of his blasphemous songs about Jesus. Unwilling to see this man shame Christ, Nicholas stood up and punched Arius in the mouth. Those in attendance were shocked! Although they understood Nicholas’ need to stand up for Christ’s reputation, they did not believe they could allow such behavior since Christ taught us to love our enemies and live a life of peace. Therefore, Nicholas was no longer allowed to serve as bishop. (It’s noted he was later restored to his position.) But this action did not stop Nicholas from serving the sick and needy.

Those who are persecuted for following Christ today are much like Nicholas of Myra: They humbly serve their fellow countrymen and courageously stand for the Lord when faced with the choice of prison with  Christ or no prison withoutChrist. His story of boldness and generosity in the face of persecution from the government and conflict within the church is for everyone. By any Christian definition, Nicholas was indeed a saint.

May Nicholas of Myra’s life challenge us to live generously by serving the poor and courageously by standing for Christ in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Him and His people!