We ("we" is a pronoun that includes "you" and "me") have a tendency these days as American conservative Christians to bemoan the fact that we are becoming victims. We point to losses of religious freedoms and say, "See? Christians are facing persecution in America." We point to the overt willingness of society at large to insult Christians and Christianity with impunity while being meticulously polite to other religions that have already proven themselves as literally mortal enemies and say, "See? Christians are facing persecution in America." We point to the growing crowd of anti-Christian voices removing Nativity scenes from parks and the Ten Commandments from courthouses and the like and say, "See? Christians are facing persecution in America."
The truth is Christians are not facing persecution in America. If you want to know what persecution is, read about Alimjan, a Chinese Christian who lost everything and was imprisoned for "harming national security" by being a Christian. Read about the Christians in Nigeria who were bombed and attacked by Muslim extremists because they were Christians. Read about the assassination of Pakistan's Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's only cabinet-level Christian, just two months after the murder of Salman Taseer, governor of the Punjab province, by his bodyguard, both Christians that stood against Muslim injustice in their country. Look, this could go on and on. Death, murder, assault, imprisonment, real persecution is going on in the world. Us? We face court battles that don't go in our favor. We lose a job because we stand on Christian principle or lose respect because we're Christians and we call it "persecution". This is the "victim card". And we don't play it any better than a lot of folks on the left these days play the "race card". It's not doing well.
What's fascinating to me, however, is the biblical version of the "victim card". That is, when faced with genuine persecution, how did biblical characters respond? We know that about it Jesus it was said that "like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opens not his mouth." And that trial and execution qualified as persecution. "But, wait," some might object, "He came for that end. That's not our purpose." Okay, how about Peter and the apostles? In a rage, the high priest and his party arrested the apostles for preaching and imprisoned them (Acts 5:17-41). God released them (Acts 5:19-20), so they went back into the Temple to preach. They were arrested again and beaten (Acts 5:26-40) with orders not to preach anymore. Their response? "Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name" (Acts 5:41). Really? Rejoicing? Read, sometime, Paul's list in his second epistle to the church at Corinth (2 Cor 4:7-10). You will note that there is not a sense in his list of a whine, of a complaint, of a protest. Instead, he explains that, even in genuine persecution, "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Cor 4:17). Indeed, he boldly declares "I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:9-10). "Content with persecutions"? James goes a step further. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2-3).
We face growing difficulties here. It really can't be denied. A few people have had to face consequences for their faith. Standing on Christian principle today is getting more and more dangerous in America. Not quite to the point of persecution, but it does look like it could go that way. What I'm waiting for is the flower shop owner that is fined for standing on Christian principle and says, "I rejoice for being counted worthy to suffer dishonor for His name." I'm waiting for the employee who is fired for his Christian principles and responds, "I am content with hardships so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." I'm waiting for the American Christian who feels even the early onset of an upcoming persecution and responds with "all joy".
Playing the "we're so abused" victim card isn't really working for us these days. We'll protest and go to court and complain about our ill treatment. We'll call it "persecution" which pales in comparison to genuine persecution in other countries. And we'll end up alienating those with whom we need to share the Gospel. The biblical response, however, is to rejoice in suffering for Christ's sake. "If you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed" (1 Peter 3:14). In fact, we are commanded, "Let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good" (1 Peter 4:19). Playing that "victim card" -- the one that doesn't complain, but rejoices and continues in faith and love -- will have a considerably larger impact. And even if it doesn't, it's the biblical response to have.
10 comments:
Stan,
There are different levels of persecution. And the homosexualists are certainly persecuting Christians.
The persecution of the Jews in Germany did not start with the gas chambers. All persecution starts small as they test the waters to see how far they can go. Don't discount it just because it isn't to the death yet. There are indeed homosexualists who state that "homophobic" Christians should be killed.
Yes, Glenn, there are levels of persecution. Putting a $7,000 fine alongside being fed to lions or burned to death makes it hard to classify the former as "persecution". But my point was not "we're not being persecuted", but that we should expect it, we were promised it, and the Bible views it as a sign of discipleship and a gift from God. I'm not suggesting "Quit your whining; it doesn't hurt that bad." I'm suggesting, "Count it all joy when you encounter various trials." You know, like the Bible says.
As for proper use of the word, look at John 5:16, where it says the Jews persecuted Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. At that point, Jesus was suffering anything.
I understand that we are to expect such persecution, but my point is that we are being persecuted and to marginalize it as if it is nothing because we aren't bad off like being tortured or killed, is just wrong.
Glenn, I am of the opinion (and have stated so more than once, including in this post) that we are headed for serious persecution in America. I am of the opinion that we are certainly seeing the end of religious freedom in America and that this is aimed almost exclusively at Christians. I know that American Christians have lost jobs, businesses, etc. for their faith. But when those outside the Church hear us inside the Church whining about that kind of "persecution", it make us look ... whiny. "You call that persecution???" And when I read about the very harsh persecution of Christians in other places, it just seems so ... whimpy to call what I face "persecution".
It's interesting (and a bit odd), but the John 5 reference you offered says, "And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay Him, because He had done these things on the sabbath day" (John 5:16) in the King James and all older translations (including commentaries from John Gill and Matthew Henry), but not in the more recent versions. If they were indeed seeking to kill Him, I'd consider that persecution without question.
So, if I'm trying to get across that accepting and rejoicing in persecution rather than complaining about it is commanded in Scripture and I'm talking to people who are complaining because they can't speak as freely as they wish they could or three people in the country are facing difficulty so they are depressed and frightened by these attacks, how would I get that across? And how would you address those who say (with apparent reason) "You call that persecution?" If what we're facing right now is persecution, what will we call it later when we're looking at serious consequences for holding to the faith?
So until they are seeking to kill us (like some homosexualists have already suggested), then we shouldn't call it persecution, even though it is, because that makes us seem whiney. Yeah, I can just see the Jews in 1933 just being whiney.
Fine. But I call a spade a spade.
I asked how to say it. I asked how to get it across. I asked how you would say it. And I got sarcasm? I thought better of you, Glenn.
Glenn, at worst we are being harassed. Certainly, there are those that would love to see us persecuted, but for now, fines could hardly be deemed persecution. Stan's not denying that persecution is around the corner. Plus, the point of the post was, no matter the level of persecution, "count is all joy when you encounter various trials". I often times feel sheepish for thinking I'm being persecuted, when in other countries people of the faith are being jailed and executed. My "persecution" pales in comparison to what other believers are made to suffer.
Stan,
I told you how to say it. Use the word - persecution!
But you think that is whiney when compared to the rest of the world's horrors. It isn't whiney, it is an observation about what is happening. PERSECUTION. Go ahead, don't be afraid - say it.
David,
I understand about counting it as all joy. My problem is that I think it is just plain wrong to be afraid to describe the persecution of Christians by the homosexualists as persecution. People's livelihoods are being taken away, being given outrageous fines, in some places jailed, forced into indoctrination classes, etc.
And yet Christians don't' want to call it persecution because it makes it seem like whining when compared to torture and death. But every torture and death persecution started out with what we are undergoing now. It has to start somewhere, and if you are afraid to use the word, they will aways win. He who controls the language controls the culture.
I did a little research on "the persecution of Christians in America". The vast majority say, "Yes, it's getting worse and worse, but, no, we can't yet call it 'persecution'." You disagree. That's fine.
My point is not that we don't want to call it "persecution". My point is that we want to rejoice in it. My point is the "victim card" (you know, like the title says). Call it what you will, but don't whine about it. Whatever you call it, the Bible calls it a certainty and even a blessing.
Post a Comment