There Ain’t No Disguising the Truth
“People think I’m strange, does it make me a stranger, that my best friend was born in a manger.”
-DC Talk, “Jesus Freak”
The song I quoted above was one of my favorite in high school. Its words are a challenge I was recently reminded of and on which DQR is built. Many Christians are aware that the original twelve apostles, besides John, died horrible deaths as martyrs. Persecutions under Roman Emperors Nero, Domitian, and Diocletian are also fairly well known. To a lesser extent people are aware of the persecutions against Protestants up to and during the reformation era. What many of us fail to realize, or at least recognize in such a way as it spurs us to action, are persecutions of equal violence and vehemence are suffered and endured by believers the world over this very second. From executions to ostracization and social ridicule, Christians are facing increasing opposition and marginalization from the world.
Gradually the US is becoming no exception to this trend. Intensifying persecution and a plethora of parallels
I also must add, while it can be infuriating to read a rant where someone bashes the Bible using arguments so often with little merit, at no point should we believers ever allow ourselves to become bitter and hateful towards unbelievers. Another of DQR’s purposes was to be a meditative reflection on Colossians 3:12-13. If we forgive as Christ forgave and have His heart, then how can we do anything but lament for those who are enemies of the cross: “ For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18)
