In the mid-1960s, social revolutionary Martin Luther King, Jr., took a much-needed break from the public eye. Renting a house in Jamaica, he isolated himself from the national scene, foregoing even the convenience of a telephone. In his isolation, he wrote the book, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community.” In that work, he encouraged his followers to remember that politics is a dangerous game, but justice will prevail.
Politics is a dangerous game, but justice will prevail.
“In any social revolution there are times when the tail winds of triumph and fulfillment favor us, and other times when strong head winds of disappointment and setbacks beat against us relentlessly,” he wrote. “We must not permit adverse winds to overwhelm us as we journey across life’s mighty Atlantic; we must be sustained by our engines of courage in spite of the winds.”
Though the quote has now aged for almost six decades, like a fine wine, the quality of its essence has only been enhanced. The quote is particularly timely for Christians around the world who face persecution. And here is why.
Political winds are blowing. Are these the pleasant winds of a beachside walk, as cool air from the Pacific is drawn inward to the land surrounding the cliffs at Laguna Beach, California? Or, are these winds the less pleasant kind, like the Santa Ana winds that are drawn downward from the high desert through the mountains, formulating such intensity in the process that trucks and RVs (motor homes) are blown off the freeways on which they’re driving? Winds, as the Rev. King noted, may blow for triumph or greater trials.
Many who study international politics are presently concerned about the breezy patterns of populism and nationalism.
Many who study international politics are presently concerned about the breezy patterns of populism and nationalism blowing through major shifts like Brexit, the MAGA movement, the rise of Imran Khan and the PTI party in Pakistan, and the ascendance of Narendra Modi of the BJP Party in India.
These political movements, coupled with the reputational demise of global institutions like the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and the U.N., lead political pundits to conclude that the shifting winds portend stormy seas ahead.
Writing for the Eurasia Review, Muhammad Yousafzai said, “There is no doubt that these movement[s] and leaders are representing those who are disenfranchised by governmental authorities, unfortunately, it also poses a great danger to [the] world’s stability and order.”
“While there will no doubt be some political and economic gain in these nationalistic movements, there will be challenges, too, as Christians can neither be owned by political success nor controlled by identities less substantial than being known as children of God and followers of Christ.”
Strong gusts of persecution are likely to unfold.
If Yousafzai and others are correct, the full gale force of government power is blowing in a nationalistic direction. How will such a shift influence the global church? In many nations, strong gusts of persecution are likely to unfold.
Though his concern is not persecution, per se, Yousafzai noted the downstream effect of nationalism: “Nationalism… is a political doctrine that underscores the welfare of a specific nation or ethnic community, giving importance to national autonomy and identity above global collaboration and multiculturalism.”
How does this rise of nationalism foreshadow storm clouds of persecution? Notice the emphasis on ethnic community and identity. In a global, multicultural outlook, broad categories typically hold sway over localized ones, meaning the shared connection might be placed on “human rights” rather than on Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Christian, or tribal heritage and identity.
Christians can neither be owned by political success nor controlled by identities less substantial than being known as children of God and followers of Christ.
With the expectation that nationalism upholds identity, the outcome will be the force of governments to exercise toward the purity of national identity. While there will no doubt be some political and economic gain in these nationalistic movements, there will be challenges, too, as Christians can neither be owned by political success nor controlled by identities less substantial than being known as children of God and followers of Christ.
When warm air masses collide with cold air masses, storms follow—including violent outbursts of tornadoes and supercells. The nationalistic clash of identities may prove even more deadly than the weather.
Christians have been through such storms before—many, many times before. The New Testament emerged from such storms, as questions were thrust upon both the church and the world:
- What does it mean to be Christian?
- To be a Jew?
- To be a Roman?
The authors of the New Testament wrote their doctrines and commands while suffering through the thunderstorms of identity that produced persecution.
The Apostle Peter was himself persecuted. From what he learned, he wrote some rather startling instructions for the church to follow. In 1 Peter 4:12-16, he said,
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
In his commentary on 1 Peter, New Testament scholar Greg Forbes concludes that there are three principles for Christians to discover:
- that suffering is to be expected
- that a proper attitude to suffering will result in greater rejoicing
- and that there is a reason believers are blessed by suffering for the name of Christ.
Building on this framework, my book “Christians in the Crosshairs” further develops these three principles as the end, the ethic, and the essence of Christian persecution.
The end
The end of suffering is expected by Christians. Not only will Christians experience common suffering along with the rest of mankind (disease, war, natural disasters), but Christians in particular will face additional suffering on account of their peculiar identity as the family of God and followers of Christ.
Christians will suffer, but never in vain.
Worldly powers remain at odds with God in their fallen state. Christians will persevere and will (in God’s miraculous power) overcome persecution—even death (Luke 21:18). As noted in “Christians in the Crosshairs,” “Christians will suffer, but never in vain. Peter teaches believers that the end of suffering far exceeds the mean aim of those inflicting it.”
The ethic
The ethic of persecution might be more challenging. No doubt early Christians were startled by the expectation that suffering persecution ought to be accompanied by the response of rejoicing! Peter said the proper ethical response to persecution is rejoicing. The rejoicing is not flippant, but substantial. The rejoicing derives from a unique identity in Christ.
Christ is alive in his persecuted followers.
Persecution, in effect, is an unbeliever’s affirmation that Christ has been made known in the persecuted. Christ is alive in his persecuted followers. The world attacks his body now as cruelly as if they were a soldier ramming a spear into his side in the first century to ensure the body is dead. As then, so the persecution against his body, even if it includes bodily death, cannot undo one bit of Christ’s perfect plan of redemption.
The essence
The essence of persecution now becomes clear: if you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and God rests upon you. Persecution is an aspect of the blessed life. This does not mean that suffering persecution is itself a blessing. It is not. It is an injustice. Evil. Nonetheless, persecution is to be expected, and Christians suffering it are given affirmation that the blessing of Christ is upon them.
Christians can begin rejoicing now.
This blessing—while true on earth—is not anchored in this mist of our time on the earth. The blessing is anchored in eternity where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, making intercession for his faithful followers. Christians can begin rejoicing now because they will rejoice and be very glad when the fullness of Christ’s glory is revealed in eternity.
If the political pundits are correct and the rise of nationalism brings a concomitant rise in suffering persecution, Christians can understand the end of this suffering. Christians will follow with the surprising ethic of rejoicing because they know that they are blessed by God for eternity.
While these realities produce a strong impetus toward faithful perseverance, Peter has yet another word for those facing persecution: Make sure your suffering is actually persecution and not some form of lawbreaking. As he said, “Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.” This warning will be particularly acute in a nationalistic context.
The stakes will be high as citizens will be looking to see if other citizens are “patriotic,” meaning on board with national identity. Seemingly simple exercises (such as burning incense in Rome) will be interpreted as identity markers and tests of loyalty. Christians should navigate the laws with care, being neither too dismissive of earthly authorities nor too disoriented by their threats.
The winds of change may be blowing. Already, religious executions are reaching all-time highs around the world. But Christians have reason to expect triumph, overcoming even the worst injustices in the power of a resurrected Christ.
God will prove true.
Perhaps a Chinese proverb can add encouragement to the direction ahead: when the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.
Christians can continue the work of the Lord because they have his word that “our labor in the Lord is never in vain.” Keep working through the storm, and God will prove true. This is the spirit of the persecuted and of all Christians who continue serving through wind, rain, and storm as Christ builds his Church on solid ground for eternity.
Originally published on persecution.org by International Christian Concern. Republished with permission.
Gregory Cochran is the author of Christians in the Crosshairs: Persecution in the Bible and Around the World. He serves as a Professor of Theology and Director of the Applied Theology Program at California Baptist University in Riverside, CA. He has a long track record of studying persecution and advocating for Christians around the world. He has served in pastoral ministry more than 25 years. He enjoys hiking and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Gregory maintains a website at: https://gregoryccochran.com.
For nearly three decades, ICC has developed a unique approach focused on Assistance, Advocacy, and Awareness. They exist to bandage the wounds of persecuted Christians and to build the Church in the most challenging parts of the world. You can explore and share an overview of their ministry and the phenomenon of global persecution by downloading an ICC primer here.
