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Tortured for Christ
One Man Who Dared to Stand Up
Months of solitary confinement, years of periodic physical torture, constant suffering from hunger and cold, the anguish of brainwashing and mental cruelty—these are the experiences of a Romanian pastor during his 14 years in Communist prisons.
His crime, like that of thousands of others, was his fervant belief in Jesus Christ and his public witness concerning that faith.
Meeting in homes, in basements, and in woods—sometimes daring to preach in public on street corners—these faithful souls persisted in their Christian witness knowing full well the ultimate cost of their actions.
This is their story—a classic account of courage, tenacious faith, and unbelievable endurance. This history of the Underground Church reflects the continuing struggle in many parts of the world today.
Months of solitary confinement, years of periodic physical torture, constant suffering from hunger and cold, the anguish of brainwashing and mental cruelty—these are the experiences of a Romanian pastor during his 14 years in Communist prisons.
His crime, like that of thousands of others, was his fervant belief in Jesus Christ and his public witness concerning that faith.
Meeting in homes, in basements, and in woods—sometimes daring to preach in public on street corners—these faithful souls persisted in their Christian witness knowing full well the ultimate cost of their actions.
This is their story—a classic account of courage, tenacious faith, and unbelievable endurance. This history of the Underground Church reflects the continuing struggle in many parts of the world today.
155 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1967
772 people are currently reading
12898 people want to read
About the author
Richard Wurmbrand
118 books272 followersEarly life
Richard Wurmbrand, the youngest of four boys, was born in 1909 in Bucharest in a Jewish family. He lived with his family in Istanbul for a short while; his father died when he was 9, and the Wurmbrands returned to Romania when he was 15.
As an adolescent, he became attracted to communism, and, after attending a series of illegal meetings of the Communist Party of Romania (PCdR), he was sent to study Marxism in Moscow, but returned clandestinely the following year. Pursued by Siguranţa Statului (the secret police), he was arrested and held in Doftana prison. Wurmbrand subsequently renounced his political ideals.
He married Sabina Oster on October 26, 1936. Wurmbrand and his wife were converted to Christianity in 1938 through the witness of Christian Wolfkes, a Romanian Christian carpenter; they joined the Anglican Mission to the Jews. Wurmbrand was ordained twice - first as an Anglican, then, after World War II, as a Lutheran pastor.
In 1944, when the Soviet Union occupied Romania as the first step to establishing the communist regime, Wurmbrand began a ministry to his Romanian countrymen and to the Red Army soldiers. When the government attempted to control the churches, he immediately began an "underground" ministry to his people. He was arrested on February 29, 1948, while on his way to church services.
Wurmbrand, who passed through the penal facilities of Craiova, Gherla, the Danube-Black Sea Canal, Văcăreşti, Malmaison, Cluj, and ultimately Jilava, spent three years in solitary confinement. His wife, Sabina, was arrested in 1950 and spent three years of penal labor on the Danube Canal.
Pastor Wurmbrand was released in 1956, after eight and a half years, and, although warned not to preach, resumed his work in the underground church. He was arrested again in 1959, and sentenced to 25 years. During his imprisonment, he was beaten and tortured.
Eventually, he was the recipient of an amnesty in 1964. Concerned with the possibility of further imprisonment, the Norwegian Mission to the Jews and the Hebrew Christian Alliance negotiated with the Communist authorities for his release from Romania for $10,000. He was convinced by underground church leaders to leave and become a voice for the persecuted church.
Wurmbrand traveled to Norway, England, and then the United States. In May 1965, he testified in Washington, D.C. before the US Senate's Internal Security Subcommittee. He became known as the "The Voice of the Underground Church," doing much to publicize the persecution of Christians in Communist countries.
In April 1967, the Wurmbrands formed Jesus To The Communist World (later named The Voice of the Martyrs), an interdenominational organization working initially with and for persecuted Christians in Communist countries, but later expanding its activities to help persecuted believers in other places, especially in the Muslim world. However, when in Namibia, and confronted with the case of Colin Winter, the Anglican Bishop of Namibia, who had supported African strikers and was eventually deported from Namibia by South Africa, Wurmbrand criticized the latter's anti-apartheid activism, and claimed resistance to communism was more important.
In 1990 Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand returned to Romania for the first time in 25 years. The Voice of the Martyrs opened a printing facility and bookstore in Bucharest. He preached about God together with pastor Ioan Panican.
The Wurmbrands had one son, Mihai. Wurmbrand wrote 18 books in English and others in Romanian. His best-known book is entitled Tortured for Christ, released in 1967. His wife, Sabina, died August 11, 2000.
Pastor Wurmbrand died on February 17, 2001 in a hospital in Long Beach, California. In 2006, he came fifth among the greatest Romanians according to a poll conducted by Romanian Television (Televiziunea Română).
Richard Wurmbrand, the youngest of four boys, was born in 1909 in Bucharest in a Jewish family. He lived with his family in Istanbul for a short while; his father died when he was 9, and the Wurmbrands returned to Romania when he was 15.
As an adolescent, he became attracted to communism, and, after attending a series of illegal meetings of the Communist Party of Romania (PCdR), he was sent to study Marxism in Moscow, but returned clandestinely the following year. Pursued by Siguranţa Statului (the secret police), he was arrested and held in Doftana prison. Wurmbrand subsequently renounced his political ideals.
He married Sabina Oster on October 26, 1936. Wurmbrand and his wife were converted to Christianity in 1938 through the witness of Christian Wolfkes, a Romanian Christian carpenter; they joined the Anglican Mission to the Jews. Wurmbrand was ordained twice - first as an Anglican, then, after World War II, as a Lutheran pastor.
In 1944, when the Soviet Union occupied Romania as the first step to establishing the communist regime, Wurmbrand began a ministry to his Romanian countrymen and to the Red Army soldiers. When the government attempted to control the churches, he immediately began an "underground" ministry to his people. He was arrested on February 29, 1948, while on his way to church services.
Wurmbrand, who passed through the penal facilities of Craiova, Gherla, the Danube-Black Sea Canal, Văcăreşti, Malmaison, Cluj, and ultimately Jilava, spent three years in solitary confinement. His wife, Sabina, was arrested in 1950 and spent three years of penal labor on the Danube Canal.
Pastor Wurmbrand was released in 1956, after eight and a half years, and, although warned not to preach, resumed his work in the underground church. He was arrested again in 1959, and sentenced to 25 years. During his imprisonment, he was beaten and tortured.
Eventually, he was the recipient of an amnesty in 1964. Concerned with the possibility of further imprisonment, the Norwegian Mission to the Jews and the Hebrew Christian Alliance negotiated with the Communist authorities for his release from Romania for $10,000. He was convinced by underground church leaders to leave and become a voice for the persecuted church.
Wurmbrand traveled to Norway, England, and then the United States. In May 1965, he testified in Washington, D.C. before the US Senate's Internal Security Subcommittee. He became known as the "The Voice of the Underground Church," doing much to publicize the persecution of Christians in Communist countries.
In April 1967, the Wurmbrands formed Jesus To The Communist World (later named The Voice of the Martyrs), an interdenominational organization working initially with and for persecuted Christians in Communist countries, but later expanding its activities to help persecuted believers in other places, especially in the Muslim world. However, when in Namibia, and confronted with the case of Colin Winter, the Anglican Bishop of Namibia, who had supported African strikers and was eventually deported from Namibia by South Africa, Wurmbrand criticized the latter's anti-apartheid activism, and claimed resistance to communism was more important.
In 1990 Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand returned to Romania for the first time in 25 years. The Voice of the Martyrs opened a printing facility and bookstore in Bucharest. He preached about God together with pastor Ioan Panican.
The Wurmbrands had one son, Mihai. Wurmbrand wrote 18 books in English and others in Romanian. His best-known book is entitled Tortured for Christ, released in 1967. His wife, Sabina, died August 11, 2000.
Pastor Wurmbrand died on February 17, 2001 in a hospital in Long Beach, California. In 2006, he came fifth among the greatest Romanians according to a poll conducted by Romanian Television (Televiziunea Română).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 851 reviews
May 28, 2011
IF you read this book, find and older copy like pre-1980s version because the ministry selling this book "softened" a bunch of things and you'll miss the author's own words. This is a book every follower of Christ must read. Wurmbrand, though a bit high on his experiences, gives us a picture of what we need to be, "non-belonging" coexistives in a world that is VERY evil. In the west we don't see this evil and we feel included to set back and enjoy the ride. Wurmbrand's book is invaluable in that it calls into question the church of the west's relaxed, slumbering attitudes. It also gives us a picture of what we might face.
November 19, 2008
This book is a really big eye opener! I have rarely thought about the persecuted church in a modern time, but now, the thought of it scares me and I pray for it that the Church will grow in strength and size! Also, though Richard Wurmbrand went through so many dark times in dark places, to hear how he loves his persecuters is absolutely amazing and I have seen better Christ's compassion through this book. Love the sinner and hate the sin is one of those Bible verses that can slip my mind when I feel like someone has wronged me or when I hear of people doing terrible things and misrepresenting, but I have been blessed to read this book and it makes me want to help those Christians suffering in other countries for their faith!
July 9, 2012
This book isn't supposed to be a classic novel. It's not supposed to be poetic. This is real life and for somebody who spent years being tortured in a prison camp and who didn't speak English as a first language, I'm aghast that people are complaining about the writing style. It's not fictionalized into a drama, so what?
This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. Too many of us turn blind eyes to what our own government supports. Our policies support or install the dictators who torture people for their faith. Christians in the West must hold their leaders accountable or the evil experienced in the prisons of the USSR will continue.
This is a very emotional, moving book that is a must read for anybody who is a Christian or thinks Communism is a good idea.
This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. Too many of us turn blind eyes to what our own government supports. Our policies support or install the dictators who torture people for their faith. Christians in the West must hold their leaders accountable or the evil experienced in the prisons of the USSR will continue.
This is a very emotional, moving book that is a must read for anybody who is a Christian or thinks Communism is a good idea.
July 20, 2017
Excellent read.
I got Tortured For Christ for Free from The Voice of the Martyrs website: https://secure.persecution.com/refera... order yours if you want.
As I got this book I said why not get into the story and read it. I will say that it is an incredible true story. This book should be required reading for all students. The human heart is capable of such evil and such good. I would recommend Tortured For Christ to all believers, even nonbelievers, who may have a change of heart after they've read this story. The book puts suffering for Christ into perspective and gives a call to action on helping persecuted Christians around the world.
I got Tortured For Christ for Free from The Voice of the Martyrs website: https://secure.persecution.com/refera... order yours if you want.
As I got this book I said why not get into the story and read it. I will say that it is an incredible true story. This book should be required reading for all students. The human heart is capable of such evil and such good. I would recommend Tortured For Christ to all believers, even nonbelievers, who may have a change of heart after they've read this story. The book puts suffering for Christ into perspective and gives a call to action on helping persecuted Christians around the world.
May 18, 2012
How do you rate a book like this? On how it was written? On the content alone? On the inspiration and challenge it proved to be for my life?
I can't say I enjoyed reading it, but it was very encouraging, and challenging. It shook me out of the comfortable little world I live in. Opened my eyes to the reality of what many Christians face, have faced and will continue to face until the Lord returns to rule the world. It provoked many questions. Am I willing to suffer as Mr. Wurmbrand did? Do I fear men, or God? Am I going to wait until such times and circumstances come upon us to finally abandon all that I might gain Christ? Am I willing to do all I can now to make a difference, through the power of God, in the community I live in?
I definitely recommend it.
I can't say I enjoyed reading it, but it was very encouraging, and challenging. It shook me out of the comfortable little world I live in. Opened my eyes to the reality of what many Christians face, have faced and will continue to face until the Lord returns to rule the world. It provoked many questions. Am I willing to suffer as Mr. Wurmbrand did? Do I fear men, or God? Am I going to wait until such times and circumstances come upon us to finally abandon all that I might gain Christ? Am I willing to do all I can now to make a difference, through the power of God, in the community I live in?
I definitely recommend it.
December 2, 2016
This is the story of Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, imprisoned for 14 years, by ruthless atheists in a repressive socialist state. It's more than just his story, but the story of many Christians who suffered terribly for their faith in Jesus Christ behind the Iron Curtain. I found it profoundly inspiring and relevant, especially since, increasingly, there is a growing hostility of Government officials and the national media in our own society against Christians. I found it had me wondering about how the strength of the faith of us in the Free World compares with that of Christians who have suffered terribly under socialist and Islamist regimes. Sadly, I think that many would fall away -- which, initially, was the case in Romania during Wurmbrand's time when the atheists seized power there after World War 2. Interestingly, Wurmbrand showed the proper example for how the Underground Church overcame its oppressors --- not by violent resistance or by hatred --- but by having a love for Jesus Christ and a love for the souls of even the worst Communists and by having a unity and strength of purpose that the most churches in the Free World aspires to. Overall, an outstanding story of a Christian's strength under the most trying and dire of circumstances, one that I would recommend to anyone.
February 20, 2016
Wow.
What a book.
This book rendered my thoughts speechless multiple times as I was brought to consider how much Christians suffered for the sake of Christ under the Soviet Union and yet how much their joy and hope abounded throughout these dark times. Richard Wurmbrand and the other Christians who suffered certainly bore witness to Christ as they showed the exceeding power of Christ's unquenchable love and its ability to transform lives.
I was particularly struck by Wurmbrand's one plea to Americans: he and the other persecuted Christians didn't want to be rescued from Soviet Russia. They were all ready and willing to suffer for the sake of Christ if by doing so they could win others to him. All they needed from us were the resources and Bibles to use in order to win more to him.
The faith and determination of Wurmbrand and these other believers impressed upon me again the all-worthiness and all-sufficiency of Christ. These believers saw Christ with eyes of faith that I can only hope to possess as well. The Holy Spirit truly is sufficient to take even the weakest believer and allow him to stand securely in faith. May we all look to have a faith like the faith of Wurmbrand and the other persecuted Christians by looking beyond them to the God whom they served.
Rating: 5 Stars (Extremely Good).
What a book.
This book rendered my thoughts speechless multiple times as I was brought to consider how much Christians suffered for the sake of Christ under the Soviet Union and yet how much their joy and hope abounded throughout these dark times. Richard Wurmbrand and the other Christians who suffered certainly bore witness to Christ as they showed the exceeding power of Christ's unquenchable love and its ability to transform lives.
I was particularly struck by Wurmbrand's one plea to Americans: he and the other persecuted Christians didn't want to be rescued from Soviet Russia. They were all ready and willing to suffer for the sake of Christ if by doing so they could win others to him. All they needed from us were the resources and Bibles to use in order to win more to him.
The faith and determination of Wurmbrand and these other believers impressed upon me again the all-worthiness and all-sufficiency of Christ. These believers saw Christ with eyes of faith that I can only hope to possess as well. The Holy Spirit truly is sufficient to take even the weakest believer and allow him to stand securely in faith. May we all look to have a faith like the faith of Wurmbrand and the other persecuted Christians by looking beyond them to the God whom they served.
Rating: 5 Stars (Extremely Good).
September 6, 2016
This book is amazing!! Ever since I have read this I have a on fire passion for these people who go through so much. AFTER the Bible this is the book that has changed my life!! I feel so blessed to live where I live and have the freedom to worship my God.
I read this in 2005, 2007, & now with my hubby in 2015!! Life changing book every time I read it. We are praying who we should pass it on to. Looking forward to seeing what God wants us to do.
If we aren't willing to live for Him we will never be willing to die for Him.
- my friend and sister in Christ, Dawn Smith
I read this in 2005, 2007, & now with my hubby in 2015!! Life changing book every time I read it. We are praying who we should pass it on to. Looking forward to seeing what God wants us to do.
If we aren't willing to live for Him we will never be willing to die for Him.
- my friend and sister in Christ, Dawn Smith
June 14, 2012
... This book, more than any other up to this point, has left me speechless and caused much contimplation. Richard, in his simple writing style unadorned with trimmings, revealed a love I've not observed since the story of Jesus. The degree of suffering these men and women, fellow followers of Christ, suffered for "crimes" such as spreading gospel tracts or telling their children about God, is nearly beyond understanding. What IS beyond understanding though (outside of Jesus) is the unquenching, unyielding, unrelenting genuine love these believers held for their captors. In spite of watching their children being literally whipped to death before their eyes, being fed endless amounts of salt without water until death, or being abducted and raped on their very wedding day, these lovers of Jesus remained lovers of those who hurt them, turning countless numbers of them to the love of Christ.
This story of Richard's 14 1/2 years in prison under the Communist party of the Soviet Union and the underground church reveals the horrible consequence of an "impartial" purely godless style of government, where in reality the ruling party becomes the god. The atrocities I read on these pages will be burned into my mind for eternity. At the same time, the story of true love will overshadow those atrocities. The story of Jesus. The story of our brothers and sisters abroad, who we must strive with and support in their suffering while we sit comfortably in our recliners stressing over what kind of television we should purchase next.
This story of Richard's 14 1/2 years in prison under the Communist party of the Soviet Union and the underground church reveals the horrible consequence of an "impartial" purely godless style of government, where in reality the ruling party becomes the god. The atrocities I read on these pages will be burned into my mind for eternity. At the same time, the story of true love will overshadow those atrocities. The story of Jesus. The story of our brothers and sisters abroad, who we must strive with and support in their suffering while we sit comfortably in our recliners stressing over what kind of television we should purchase next.
August 22, 2013
الكتاب رائع بكل معانى الكلمة لن كلمات توصفه او تعبر عنه الا انه محمل برائحة الالم الصادقة التى تقطر من كل حرف من حروفه
يتحدث عن اضطهاد الكنيسة الرومانية على يد الشيوعية زكيف قاسى المسيحيون هناك الامرين من اجل الايمان بالمسيح
ستجد كيف ان كان هناك من يبيع خاتم زواجه ليحصل على نسخة مهترئة من العهد الجديد
ستجد كيف قرية بأكملها اقتسمت نسخة من الكتاب المقدس على 30 جزءا لتقرا كلمة الله
كيف صنع الالم من المسيحيين اقوى قوة على الوجود
قد تتسأل كثيرا عن جدوى الالم وقد تقرأ وتسمع عظات عنه لكى تفهم مغزاه ولكن هذا الكتاب شرح المعنى دون عظات بل بحياة واقعية وشهادة حية
كتاب يجب ان يقراه كل انسان
كتاب يحتاج ان يقرأ كثيرا
يتحدث عن اضطهاد الكنيسة الرومانية على يد الشيوعية زكيف قاسى المسيحيون هناك الامرين من اجل الايمان بالمسيح
ستجد كيف ان كان هناك من يبيع خاتم زواجه ليحصل على نسخة مهترئة من العهد الجديد
ستجد كيف قرية بأكملها اقتسمت نسخة من الكتاب المقدس على 30 جزءا لتقرا كلمة الله
كيف صنع الالم من المسيحيين اقوى قوة على الوجود
قد تتسأل كثيرا عن جدوى الالم وقد تقرأ وتسمع عظات عنه لكى تفهم مغزاه ولكن هذا الكتاب شرح المعنى دون عظات بل بحياة واقعية وشهادة حية
كتاب يجب ان يقراه كل انسان
كتاب يحتاج ان يقرأ كثيرا
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December 9, 20253.5 stars.
I do believe this is a very important message even though it’s not the best writing I’ve come across; but I will say that the reason for that is explained in the Afterword, stating this it was written in three days following Richard Wurmbrand’s release from the communist prison in which he had been imprisoned for preaching the gospel in a communist controlled country.
I also appreciated that the afterword of this mentioned the rise of ISIS which is much more recent and something I’m more familiar with considering this was originally written in 1967 when communism ruled behind an “Iron Curtain” in the east.
I do believe this is a very important message even though it’s not the best writing I’ve come across; but I will say that the reason for that is explained in the Afterword, stating this it was written in three days following Richard Wurmbrand’s release from the communist prison in which he had been imprisoned for preaching the gospel in a communist controlled country.
I also appreciated that the afterword of this mentioned the rise of ISIS which is much more recent and something I’m more familiar with considering this was originally written in 1967 when communism ruled behind an “Iron Curtain” in the east.
December 31, 2021
La fel cum mărturisește și Richard Wurmbrand " aceasta carte nu are nici o valoare din punct de vedere literara sau stilistic. A fost scrisă în doar trei zile ..." . Cu toate acestea, cartea are o valoare de adevăr și motivație pentru viața de creștin. Suferința e cea care desăvârșește Biserica lui Hristos.
Așa închei un an de citit și încep altul. La cât mai multe cărți bune, tuturor!
Așa închei un an de citit și încep altul. La cât mai multe cărți bune, tuturor!
September 29, 2017
Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian pastor who fought against the Christ-suppressing Communist regime of Eastern Europe's twentieth century. He was imprisoned for a total of fourteen years -- three of which he spent thirty feet underground without light or sound -- subjected to incredible physical torture and brainwashing. He never stopped witnessing about Jesus, his Lord and Saviour. He gave his heart to the Russians -- his fellow-prisoners and his captors -- and tried to bring them all to the knowledge of Christ, the knowledge that brings eternal life and bliss.
Tortured for Christ was a harrowing, uplifting and deeply challenging book. The way Wurmbrand and other members of the Underground Church gave their lives to Jesus, in the face of unbelievable suffering, made me sit back with wide eyes. Wurmbrand could hardly walk a street without stopping someone to share with them the life-changing news of Jesus, even though doing so could (and did!) lead to his imprisonment. I live in a country of religious freedom and free speech, yet I hardly ever go out of my way to share the gospel.
"Persecution has always produced a better Christian -- a witnessing Christian, a soul-winning Christian. Communist persecution has backfired and produced serious, dedicated Christians such as are rarely seen in free lands. These people cannot understand how anyone can be a Christian and not want to win every soul they meet." (p116)
The West is dead and stagnant. Our hearts are turning to stone -- we assume that no one will believe our message and so we are slow to witness, and the people we seek to reach are entrenched in our narcissistic, comfortable culture. Reading Tortured for Christ was like reading Acts; the stories of miraculous conversions! Whereas the West is like Israel at the crux of their idolatry, when there were no prophets, no sign of God's presence. The further we draw away from Him, the further He draws away from us.
So this book was a huge challenge. One of the questions it asked was: whom do you love? To which group of people will you give your heart? For Wurmbrand, the answer was Communists and victims of Communism. For Hudson Taylor, it was the Chinese. For Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it was the victims of the Holocaust. What about you? What about me? You don't need to be a missionary abroad to live for Jesus; you don't need to be imprisoned and tortured like Richard Wurmbrand. But you do need to commit your life to making God known in your own world. In the West, where people do not know they need to be saved, this is harder than ever, and so we must give our utmost.
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:14-15)
Tortured for Christ was a harrowing, uplifting and deeply challenging book. The way Wurmbrand and other members of the Underground Church gave their lives to Jesus, in the face of unbelievable suffering, made me sit back with wide eyes. Wurmbrand could hardly walk a street without stopping someone to share with them the life-changing news of Jesus, even though doing so could (and did!) lead to his imprisonment. I live in a country of religious freedom and free speech, yet I hardly ever go out of my way to share the gospel.
"Persecution has always produced a better Christian -- a witnessing Christian, a soul-winning Christian. Communist persecution has backfired and produced serious, dedicated Christians such as are rarely seen in free lands. These people cannot understand how anyone can be a Christian and not want to win every soul they meet." (p116)
The West is dead and stagnant. Our hearts are turning to stone -- we assume that no one will believe our message and so we are slow to witness, and the people we seek to reach are entrenched in our narcissistic, comfortable culture. Reading Tortured for Christ was like reading Acts; the stories of miraculous conversions! Whereas the West is like Israel at the crux of their idolatry, when there were no prophets, no sign of God's presence. The further we draw away from Him, the further He draws away from us.
So this book was a huge challenge. One of the questions it asked was: whom do you love? To which group of people will you give your heart? For Wurmbrand, the answer was Communists and victims of Communism. For Hudson Taylor, it was the Chinese. For Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it was the victims of the Holocaust. What about you? What about me? You don't need to be a missionary abroad to live for Jesus; you don't need to be imprisoned and tortured like Richard Wurmbrand. But you do need to commit your life to making God known in your own world. In the West, where people do not know they need to be saved, this is harder than ever, and so we must give our utmost.
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:14-15)
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April 30, 2019Wurmbrand's autobiography tells how he went from Jew to Christian, and Marxist to Republican, under the Romanian governments of the Nazis and Communists. Wurmbrand and his family were brutalized, enslaved and imprisoned by the Communist government of Romania before he was ransomed by friends to become the voice of the persecuted Christian Church to the world. In 1966, he testified before the US Congress, famously removing his short to show the physical wounds of his torture. He was known as, "The Voice of the Underground Church."
Contemporary readers may be shocked to learn about the war between Communism/ Marxism and Christians, which has been largely sanitized today. Torture for Christ remains an important primary source account of this conflict. It also serves to illustrate how Statist governments control thei population and manipulate information, even as persecution continues today.
Wurmbrand's work included 18 books of which Torture for Christ is probably the most influential. His advocacy culminated in founding an organization called Jesus to the Communist World. Recognizing Christians are increasingly facing persecution in non-Communist context (most notably the Muslim world), the organization incorporated Wurmbrand's designation and is today called The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). VOM continues to advocate and report the challenges of persecuted Christians today.
Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith, Richard Wurmbrand, 2008
Available on DVD and onDemand for all ages. Includes both an animated account and a 50 minute documentary, as well as activities for children.
https://torchlighters.org/heroes/rich...
See also his wife's story...
The Pastor's Wife, Sabrina Wurmbrand, 1970
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For a glimpse of Romania after the Wurmbrand's are ransomed, see
Saving my Assassin, Prodan, 2016
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For a theology of suffering developed by a Romanian, see
Suffering, Martyrdom and Rewards in Heaven, Ton, 2002
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Contemporary readers may be shocked to learn about the war between Communism/ Marxism and Christians, which has been largely sanitized today. Torture for Christ remains an important primary source account of this conflict. It also serves to illustrate how Statist governments control thei population and manipulate information, even as persecution continues today.
Wurmbrand's work included 18 books of which Torture for Christ is probably the most influential. His advocacy culminated in founding an organization called Jesus to the Communist World. Recognizing Christians are increasingly facing persecution in non-Communist context (most notably the Muslim world), the organization incorporated Wurmbrand's designation and is today called The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). VOM continues to advocate and report the challenges of persecuted Christians today.
Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith, Richard Wurmbrand, 2008
Available on DVD and onDemand for all ages. Includes both an animated account and a 50 minute documentary, as well as activities for children.
https://torchlighters.org/heroes/rich...
See also his wife's story...
The Pastor's Wife, Sabrina Wurmbrand, 1970
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For a glimpse of Romania after the Wurmbrand's are ransomed, see
Saving my Assassin, Prodan, 2016
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For a theology of suffering developed by a Romanian, see
Suffering, Martyrdom and Rewards in Heaven, Ton, 2002
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 10, 2012
Not the best writing and disappointing from the standpoint that Wurmbrand unnecessarily refers to his fellow Catholic Christians as 'papists', and yet even so there is no denying his own suffering, devotion to Romanian Christians, the cause of Christianity worldwide and even the Communists who tortured him. Well worth reading.
July 2, 2017
POWERFUL book.
October 7, 2021
This is a really eloquent and simple testimony to the work of God in the 20th century. As bad and horrific as Hitler, Stalin, and Mao were, God used it to draw many, such as Wurmbrand, closer to him. I was thinking to myself, one day, "You know, God cares more about whether we are drawing closer to him than whether we are comfortable. It's way better for people to suffer and to love God than to just be off doing their own stuff." This book is a real example of it.
Wurmbrand suffered privation under the Nazi regime and then, after the communists took over, he was imprisoned for not cowtowing to the Communist church and authorities and for preaching the gospel. The tortures in this book, though not particularly graphic, are definitely horrifying. It's especially interesting comparing it to something like Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, where again we see that, thanks to the mind, the body is able to take quite a lot, sometimes a horrifyingly large amount. I bet many Christians wished they had died long before they actually did.
The most inspiring thing about this book is Wurmbrand's love for his enemies and hatred of evil. In the face of captors who enjoyed torturing him and doing unspeakable things, Wurmbrand decided to remove evil from his heart and to pray for his enemies. If you want to know how not to live by lies, read this book. He also hated communism, perhaps too much. Going off things I have heard from family members, he identified it with the antichrist. While I do think it's Satanic, I don't think it's the full-stop antichrist.
“God is the Truth. The Bible is the truth about the Truth. Theology is the truth about the truth about the Truth.”
Another interesting point of comparison to Solzhenitsyn is that he also hated Western societies, because the Christians in the underground church were on fire with the Holy Spirit and cared so much about God's love because they needed it so much, while the Western church was deeply corrupted. (At the time, many of the world council of churches leadership kissed communist church leaders, for instance.) Wurmbrand very much became the Voice of the Martyrs. Obviously not a perfect man, and probably not a perfect institution (was the early church a perfect institution?) but he really did speak the truth about communism, at the risk of Soviet threats of assasination.
Interestingly, Wurmbrand says Christianity died out in North Africa because Christians didn't evangelize Muslims. I have rarely been so convicted about not giving up hope in prayer. We often feel quite cynical about our prayers being answered for Christians in other countries, even though we serve the God of the miracles of the Bible. Even more interestingly, Wurmbrand says that even though the Church of Russia and many communist-controlled countries were hopelessly corrupt in their leadership, because pastors sometimes continued to preach from the Bible and had historic liturgies, people could still find Christ in many dead churches. This is also inspiring, since a lot of conservatives like me tend to be pessimistic about those kinds of churches.
On the other hand, Wurmbrand also recognized that certain people are worth extra evangelizing. artists, politicians, and other important culture-makers have a greater impact on the world, and so they're worth winning. This is interesting to hear from someone who clearly doesn't have any desire for status or the approval of the world.
A few final points. You can really tell he's a Protestant. For instance, he describes how a bunch of Christians wanted to get ordained, but because their pastors had been martyred, they did ordination on his grave. Kind of cool instance of the priesthood of all believers.
Wurmbrand also has an interesting quote: “God is the Truth. The Bible is the truth about the Truth. Theology is the truth about the truth about the Truth.” This is right, and let me just unpack what this means. God is not contained in the Scriptures. He can be met there, but He can also be met in obedience, worship, and pretty much anywhere in life. The Scriptures are meant to point us to Christ. Theology is not meant to be primary, and is supposed to send us back to Scripture and back to God. Often that doesn't happen in the large number of disputations, and I think that something like this book can help reminded us of that.
Finally, one cricisim: he sometimes tries to guilt his readers too much. I think this is definitely a profound critique of Western society and we could do more than we do, but I am still uncomfortable sometimes with him talking about Americans having caused the Soviet horrors and calling for us to atone for our sins by helping the churhc. From the outside, it looks like we had been in a tight spot after WWII, though maybe I am wrong about this, but more importantly, I think giving to these kinds of ministries should be motivated by love.
Thankfully Wurmbrand and his wife had a lot of that, and that's the big thing I took from this book. God is Love, not a cowardly love, but the kind of love that tells the truth and prays for one's enemies.
Wurmbrand suffered privation under the Nazi regime and then, after the communists took over, he was imprisoned for not cowtowing to the Communist church and authorities and for preaching the gospel. The tortures in this book, though not particularly graphic, are definitely horrifying. It's especially interesting comparing it to something like Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, where again we see that, thanks to the mind, the body is able to take quite a lot, sometimes a horrifyingly large amount. I bet many Christians wished they had died long before they actually did.
The most inspiring thing about this book is Wurmbrand's love for his enemies and hatred of evil. In the face of captors who enjoyed torturing him and doing unspeakable things, Wurmbrand decided to remove evil from his heart and to pray for his enemies. If you want to know how not to live by lies, read this book. He also hated communism, perhaps too much. Going off things I have heard from family members, he identified it with the antichrist. While I do think it's Satanic, I don't think it's the full-stop antichrist.
“God is the Truth. The Bible is the truth about the Truth. Theology is the truth about the truth about the Truth.”
Another interesting point of comparison to Solzhenitsyn is that he also hated Western societies, because the Christians in the underground church were on fire with the Holy Spirit and cared so much about God's love because they needed it so much, while the Western church was deeply corrupted. (At the time, many of the world council of churches leadership kissed communist church leaders, for instance.) Wurmbrand very much became the Voice of the Martyrs. Obviously not a perfect man, and probably not a perfect institution (was the early church a perfect institution?) but he really did speak the truth about communism, at the risk of Soviet threats of assasination.
Interestingly, Wurmbrand says Christianity died out in North Africa because Christians didn't evangelize Muslims. I have rarely been so convicted about not giving up hope in prayer. We often feel quite cynical about our prayers being answered for Christians in other countries, even though we serve the God of the miracles of the Bible. Even more interestingly, Wurmbrand says that even though the Church of Russia and many communist-controlled countries were hopelessly corrupt in their leadership, because pastors sometimes continued to preach from the Bible and had historic liturgies, people could still find Christ in many dead churches. This is also inspiring, since a lot of conservatives like me tend to be pessimistic about those kinds of churches.
On the other hand, Wurmbrand also recognized that certain people are worth extra evangelizing. artists, politicians, and other important culture-makers have a greater impact on the world, and so they're worth winning. This is interesting to hear from someone who clearly doesn't have any desire for status or the approval of the world.
A few final points. You can really tell he's a Protestant. For instance, he describes how a bunch of Christians wanted to get ordained, but because their pastors had been martyred, they did ordination on his grave. Kind of cool instance of the priesthood of all believers.
Wurmbrand also has an interesting quote: “God is the Truth. The Bible is the truth about the Truth. Theology is the truth about the truth about the Truth.” This is right, and let me just unpack what this means. God is not contained in the Scriptures. He can be met there, but He can also be met in obedience, worship, and pretty much anywhere in life. The Scriptures are meant to point us to Christ. Theology is not meant to be primary, and is supposed to send us back to Scripture and back to God. Often that doesn't happen in the large number of disputations, and I think that something like this book can help reminded us of that.
Finally, one cricisim: he sometimes tries to guilt his readers too much. I think this is definitely a profound critique of Western society and we could do more than we do, but I am still uncomfortable sometimes with him talking about Americans having caused the Soviet horrors and calling for us to atone for our sins by helping the churhc. From the outside, it looks like we had been in a tight spot after WWII, though maybe I am wrong about this, but more importantly, I think giving to these kinds of ministries should be motivated by love.
Thankfully Wurmbrand and his wife had a lot of that, and that's the big thing I took from this book. God is Love, not a cowardly love, but the kind of love that tells the truth and prays for one's enemies.
October 19, 2025
This book helped my heart to yearn for the saving of nations. What great love and forgiveness we need to show even our enemies. May our Lord and Saviour bring peace to the captive and persecuted. May his salvation be laid upon the billions who do not yet know him. May his kingdom come. Lord give us strength to endure each day, and a heart that longs and prays for peace to our brothers and sisters who are hurting. Come Lord Jesus, come.
February 19, 2013
This book can be a painful book to read because of the things that the author, Richard Wurmbrand, went through. All the same, it is a powerful testament to the power of the Gospel and reveals the fact that persecution of the church continues on even to this day in the world. It also shows the power of the Spirit moving within people who TRULY believe in the Gospel. Many of these people had very little scripture. There was no complete book that contained the entire Bible or even an entire book of the Bible that was available to these people, yet they were more outspoken, more resilient, and more joyful than any Christian I have ever seen, and have only heard of such joy recorded in the Bible. There are people who would be baptized, and within months be at the maturity of a Christian that many Christians in the Western nations say takes years to attain. This book was written as a testament to the church in the West to aid their persecuted brothers in other lands. This book also serves as a testament on as to what happens when someone TRULY believes in the Gospel, and gives their lives over to the COMPLETE Lordship of Jesus Christ, and the fact that the only reason why pastors and preachers and Western Christians say that change within Christians is a slow, gradual process is because we've allowed people to believe that they don't have to give over everything of themselves to God. We've allowed people to believe a watered down Gospel. It's only true for someone so long as they give only parts of their life over to God. God changes you and moves within you as fast as you are willing to let him.
May 16, 2024
"I can not finish this story yes it is a tragedy and this man suffer so much. Do you remember the commercial with the dry eyes guy, if not here is a link to help you. Remember me ? This is how I felt reading the story. I like the man himself just did not like the way that he wrote his story.
With that being said ,This is an amazing man who went through torture for his religion and spreading his word of the lord. This story made me see that they're places that will make you pay for preaching the word of God or ever carrying a Holy Bible. So even though I did not like the story as it was written I care deeply for the man who wrote it and suffered to spread the word of God.
With that being said ,This is an amazing man who went through torture for his religion and spreading his word of the lord. This story made me see that they're places that will make you pay for preaching the word of God or ever carrying a Holy Bible. So even though I did not like the story as it was written I care deeply for the man who wrote it and suffered to spread the word of God.
July 1, 2024
Wurmbrand even says that his own book wasn't created to be a literary masterpiece. Something like he wrote in 3 days after he was released from prison?? Maybe I'm wrong on that. Even with him sparing details (thank goodness), just the basic facts are enough to make you squirm and cry. I don't think I would've been able to handle this work any time sooner in my faith, but I'm grateful to have read it. Troubling is an understatement, but it's an amazing reminder to pray for our imprisoned brothers and sisters out there. He makes a fabulous argument for supporting persecuted believers. A missing piece for me is understanding how! Will continue to think and pray.
July 10, 2016
One of my favorite books. What a brave man!
August 22, 2025
Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian evangelical pastor during the reign of Stalin and communism in which countless Christians and non-Christians were murdered at the hands of an oppressive secular force. He was fundamental in founding, continuing, and restoring the secret Underground Church during this time, enduring 14 years of beatings and torture at the hands of people at enmity with the Cross.
It is remarkable to see the joy and zeal he has for the people who have had the greatest hate for him and his God. Included in this small book are a glimpse of his story as well as numerous other Christians who suffered for the sake of Christ and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor the sake of our King’s name as the apostles did in Acts 5:41.
4 stars for scattered thoughts and lack of coherency, as well as some verses maybe slightly taken out of context to get his points across.
It is remarkable to see the joy and zeal he has for the people who have had the greatest hate for him and his God. Included in this small book are a glimpse of his story as well as numerous other Christians who suffered for the sake of Christ and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor the sake of our King’s name as the apostles did in Acts 5:41.
4 stars for scattered thoughts and lack of coherency, as well as some verses maybe slightly taken out of context to get his points across.
August 14, 2025
I read this once a year to get perspective. Some things to remember —
1) life ain’t that bad
2) I can be bold and courageous in sharing my faith
3) I can be a voice for the martyrs
4) I can love my enemy as Christ has loved me
5) The King of Kings is worth it
1) life ain’t that bad
2) I can be bold and courageous in sharing my faith
3) I can be a voice for the martyrs
4) I can love my enemy as Christ has loved me
5) The King of Kings is worth it
June 4, 2020
This was another excellent book.
This is now the second or third book I've read about people suffering under Communism because of their beliefs.
It's not as horrifying as the Gulag Archipelago was. Solznehitsyn focused on the horror of the tortures and life in Soviet prisons and prison camps. That wasn't Wurmbrand's focus at all. He gives only the barest description of what went on his prison sentence.
Instead he focused on the work God was doing inside of Communism, and it was powerful. It was powerful to read about small children smuggling portions of the Bible to Russian soldiers. It was powerful to read of young women standing up to people who had the power to kill and maim them, but they never gave up on the truth.
Perhaps the most astonishing thing to me was how these believers knew the word of God and put it into action. Even though most of them had never read the Bible in its entirety, they grasped its lessons and taught them to their fellow prisoners. That was something that really convicted me. I have read the bible through at least 3 times in my life, probably more like 10, but I don't recall how many times exactly, and yet there are still basic biblical truths I haven't grasped. I read some of the letters of Christians, one was from a girl named Nadia, she had only been a christian for a couple of months, and yet her letters were full of grace and scripture. She wasn't quoting scripture because she probably didn't have access to it, and yet she was still conveying its truth. It amazed me at what God is capable of doing in someone's life and shamed me because I still tend to keep my mouth shut about my beliefs.
Deeply convicting book, very easy to read.
This is now the second or third book I've read about people suffering under Communism because of their beliefs.
It's not as horrifying as the Gulag Archipelago was. Solznehitsyn focused on the horror of the tortures and life in Soviet prisons and prison camps. That wasn't Wurmbrand's focus at all. He gives only the barest description of what went on his prison sentence.
Instead he focused on the work God was doing inside of Communism, and it was powerful. It was powerful to read about small children smuggling portions of the Bible to Russian soldiers. It was powerful to read of young women standing up to people who had the power to kill and maim them, but they never gave up on the truth.
Perhaps the most astonishing thing to me was how these believers knew the word of God and put it into action. Even though most of them had never read the Bible in its entirety, they grasped its lessons and taught them to their fellow prisoners. That was something that really convicted me. I have read the bible through at least 3 times in my life, probably more like 10, but I don't recall how many times exactly, and yet there are still basic biblical truths I haven't grasped. I read some of the letters of Christians, one was from a girl named Nadia, she had only been a christian for a couple of months, and yet her letters were full of grace and scripture. She wasn't quoting scripture because she probably didn't have access to it, and yet she was still conveying its truth. It amazed me at what God is capable of doing in someone's life and shamed me because I still tend to keep my mouth shut about my beliefs.
Deeply convicting book, very easy to read.
October 18, 2021
An exceptional book that brings alive the Christian witness of the 20th century martyrs who lived out their faith in the Communist prisons of Romania, the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, etc. Here are a couple of excerpts that I found striking and profound:
"If I were asked, "Are you for the Communists or against them?" my answer would be a complex one. Communism is one of the greatest menaces to mankind. I ma utterly opposed to it and wish to fight it until it is overthrown. But, in the spirit, I am seated in heavenly places with Jesus. I am seated in the sphere of the "no," in which, notwithstanding all of their crimes, the Communists are understood and loved, a sphere in which there area angelic beings trying to help everyone attain the highest goal of human life, which is to become Christlike. Therefore, my aim is to spread the gospel to the Communists, to give them the good news about Christ, who is my Lord and loves the Communists. He has said Himself that He loves every man and that H e would rather leave ninety-nine righteous sheep than allow the one that went astray to remain lost. His apostles and all the great teachers of Christianity have taught this universal love in His name."
(page 54)
"Even Marx, in his preface to Das Kapital, said that 'Christianity, especially in its Protestant form, is the ideal religion for remaking characters destroyed by sin.'"
(page 132)
"To the same accusation of having an anti-scientific religion, a Christian answered before the court: "I am sure, Mr. Judge, that you are not such a great scientist as Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform and many other medicines. When asked which he considered to be his greatest discovery, he answered: 'It was not chloroform. My greatest discovery has been to know that I am a sinner and that I could be saved by the grace of God.'" (page 132)
"In a letter smuggled out secretly, the Underground Church said, "We don't pray to be better Christians, but that we may be the only kind of Christians God means us to be: Christlike Christians, that is, Christians who bear willingly the cross for God's glory."
(page 133)
"If I were asked, "Are you for the Communists or against them?" my answer would be a complex one. Communism is one of the greatest menaces to mankind. I ma utterly opposed to it and wish to fight it until it is overthrown. But, in the spirit, I am seated in heavenly places with Jesus. I am seated in the sphere of the "no," in which, notwithstanding all of their crimes, the Communists are understood and loved, a sphere in which there area angelic beings trying to help everyone attain the highest goal of human life, which is to become Christlike. Therefore, my aim is to spread the gospel to the Communists, to give them the good news about Christ, who is my Lord and loves the Communists. He has said Himself that He loves every man and that H e would rather leave ninety-nine righteous sheep than allow the one that went astray to remain lost. His apostles and all the great teachers of Christianity have taught this universal love in His name."
(page 54)
"Even Marx, in his preface to Das Kapital, said that 'Christianity, especially in its Protestant form, is the ideal religion for remaking characters destroyed by sin.'"
(page 132)
"To the same accusation of having an anti-scientific religion, a Christian answered before the court: "I am sure, Mr. Judge, that you are not such a great scientist as Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform and many other medicines. When asked which he considered to be his greatest discovery, he answered: 'It was not chloroform. My greatest discovery has been to know that I am a sinner and that I could be saved by the grace of God.'" (page 132)
"In a letter smuggled out secretly, the Underground Church said, "We don't pray to be better Christians, but that we may be the only kind of Christians God means us to be: Christlike Christians, that is, Christians who bear willingly the cross for God's glory."
(page 133)
December 20, 2024
A perfect book to follow the one about Edith Stein. Two Jewish turned Christian martyrs, the one a Catholic who died during WWII, the other a Lutheran who was tormented in prison for fourteen years during Russian Communism.
This is everything I expected from "1984" but more succinctly. I see now why so many give it away -- it's small, but moving and profound. It makes me realize that we overthink our theological differences, too. If a Jehovah's Witness, Catholic, and Baptist are all in prison being persecuted for the Faith, they aren't going to quibble over who is a heretic. They're going to praise Jesus together. Furthermore, the word of God doesn't need to be perfect. It can be a poor translation. It can be snippets that Communist paste together to "mock" God. It remains living and will feed those who find it in whatever form or shape it is found.
I was also led to think about Christmas boxes that are sent to countries for kids -- why are we sending them junk? Why aren't we sending more Bibles? Why are we saying we love the word of God but we don't give it away to those who are unable to get it? Why do we send consumerism products instead and "evangelize" to Coptic Christians who already have the Bible instead of risking our lives for those who don't have it?
This is everything I expected from "1984" but more succinctly. I see now why so many give it away -- it's small, but moving and profound. It makes me realize that we overthink our theological differences, too. If a Jehovah's Witness, Catholic, and Baptist are all in prison being persecuted for the Faith, they aren't going to quibble over who is a heretic. They're going to praise Jesus together. Furthermore, the word of God doesn't need to be perfect. It can be a poor translation. It can be snippets that Communist paste together to "mock" God. It remains living and will feed those who find it in whatever form or shape it is found.
I was also led to think about Christmas boxes that are sent to countries for kids -- why are we sending them junk? Why aren't we sending more Bibles? Why are we saying we love the word of God but we don't give it away to those who are unable to get it? Why do we send consumerism products instead and "evangelize" to Coptic Christians who already have the Bible instead of risking our lives for those who don't have it?
June 28, 2023
Equally heartbreaking as it is encouraging, Richard Wurmbrand exposes the unearthly courage, perseverance, and obedience God has blessed upon the persecuted Church in communist countries like Russia, China, and North Korea.
Not only that, Wurmbrand puts the lukewarm Christianity of the ‘free’ Western world to utter shame, and rightfully so. What a sorry state the Church in the West is in, that when afforded the freedoms so many are deprived, we waste them on moulding our worldly/christian hybrid lifestyles, rather than seeking to share the gospel, fulfil our duties, and ultimately, glorify God.
What a challenge this book is, for ANY Christian regardless of maturity!
Not only that, Wurmbrand puts the lukewarm Christianity of the ‘free’ Western world to utter shame, and rightfully so. What a sorry state the Church in the West is in, that when afforded the freedoms so many are deprived, we waste them on moulding our worldly/christian hybrid lifestyles, rather than seeking to share the gospel, fulfil our duties, and ultimately, glorify God.
What a challenge this book is, for ANY Christian regardless of maturity!
July 20, 2023
A difficult read, but an eye-opening one. An incredible account of the suffering of Christians at the hands of the communists. The book is packed, not only with testimonies, but also with challenging application. Wumbrand does not seek simply to inform, but he calls for a response. A book that has certainly gave me a lot to consider.
September 20, 2011
اسم الكتاب الأصلي هو (معذبٌ لأجل المسيح) هو كتاب كتبه راعي كنسية كاثوليكية، قص فيه ما عاناه من أجل التبشير داخل الدول الشيوعية وتجربة سجنه في سجون الشيوعيين لمدة أربع عشرة سنة، منذ أواخر الأربعينات إلى الستينات، ذاق خلالها أنواع شتى من التعذيب بدءً من الإهانات والضرب المبرح والجلد والدفن في الجليد والحبس داخل توابيت خشبية مبطنة بالمسامير الحادة، وانتهاءً بعمليات غسيل الدماغ
وإن كان أبرز ما في الكتاب مواقف صمود المسيحين (المؤمنين) ضد كل هذه التعسفات الشيوعية ضد الدين، من تشريد وسجن وقتل من يتحدث عن الدين ويدعو إليه، وقطع أي مساعدات حكومية عن أسرته وأطفاله والعقاب بالسجن ضد أي مَن يجرأ على مد يد العون إليها، وتوظيف رجال الدين المسيحين في الكنائس الرسمية لإفشاء أسرار رعيتهم وإلا التهديد بإغلاق الكنيسة أو استبدالهم بغيرهم، وتسخير وسائل الإعلام للحط من شأن الدين وإعلاء مبادئ عالم المادة
ويحكي أن وسط هذا كله، كانت (الكنيسة السرية) تقوم بدورٍ مذهل في الكفاح ضد الشيوعية في عقر دارها، وفي نشر (كلمة الله) بين الناس، وفي تحمل ما لا يحتمل، وأن الشعب الروسي كان شديد العطش إلى الإيمان، وأن حياته كانت قلقة مضطربة، وكان يملأ فراغها الروحاني بالإغراق في الخمر وسرقة ما هو من حقه في الأساس وما إلى ذلك، وحكى هنا عدد وافر من القصص التي لاقاها في سبيل تبشيره بين الناس، وكيف أنه لم يقم بأي جهدٍ سوى التحدث عن المسيح وعظة الجبل مثلا وحادثتي (الصلب) و(القيامة) ليتوافد عليه الجميع مؤمنين من المرة الأولى في لهفة وشوق إلى (المخلص)!!
وتحدث عن مواقف كفاح المسيحين المؤمنين داخل السجون، وعن تبشيرهم بداخلها، وكثرة ما يفاجأ الحراس المبشّر وهو في منتصف جملة ما، فيحملوه حملا عبر الرواق إلى غرفة الضرب، وثم بعد ساعات من الضرب المتواصل، يعيدوه مرضضا وداميا، ويرموه على الأرض في غرفة السجن، وما أن يستعيد ببطء نشاط جسمه المسحوق، ويمهد لباسه، حتى يسأل: والآن أيها الأخوة، أين قُوطِعت في رسالتي؟
ويقول كاتب الكتاب بعد كثير من مواقف السجن:
.. وأنا لا أشعر بالفشل لأنني قضيت سنين طويلة في السجن، فقد شاهدت أمورًا عذبة جدًا هناك، ومع أنني كنت ضعيفًا وهزيلا في السجن وبين المجهولين، لكنه كان لي الامتياز العظيم أن أعيش مع قديسين في السجن ذاته، مع ��بطال إيمان ضاهوا مؤمني القرون الأولى للمسيحية في عظمتهم
ثم يتحدث عن كيفية مهاجمة الشيوعية بالروح، لأن النظام الشيوعي لا يسعد أي إنسان، حتى ولا المتاجرين به، فالقادة أنفسهم يخشون من قدوم سيارة البوليس في أي ليلة كانت، لتقصيهم بعيدًا عن بيوتهم إثر تغيير خطة الحزب الفجائي!
فالكيفية هي ..
التفكير الاستراتيجي في العمل الإرسالي، (فمن وجهة نظر الخلاص أن جميع الناس متساوون، أما من وجهة نظر استراتيجية الإرساليات فالناس غير متساوين، لأن ربح رجل ذي نفوذ، والذي بدوره قد يربح الألوف فيما بعد، تفوق أهميته بما لا يقاس ربح رجل بدائي يعيش في الغابات وتأكيده على خلاص نفسه فقط، ولهذا السبب بالذات اختار المسيح أن ينهى رسالته، لا في قرية صغيرة، بل في مدينة القدس، مركز القيادة الروحية في العالم ..)
والتخلى عن العمل الروتيني ومواجهة الشيوعية بحرب روحية على خط أمامي، بدلا من أن تكون الكنيسة في حالة دفاع لا هجوم
وقال قصة عندما كان يتحدث عن الدور الفاتر للكنيسة الغربية في مقاومة دعاة الشيوعية، وعدم مبالتهم بالأمر برمته والتباحث في أمور لاهوتية جانبية أخرى ..
فقال ..
هذا ما يذكرني أنه فيما أحاطت جيوش محمد الثاني بمدينة القسطنطينية عام 1493، وكان على البلقانيين أن يقرروا لأجيال قادمة فيما إذا كانوا سيبقون تحت حكم المسيحين أم المسلمين، بحثت لجنة كنيسة محلية في مدينة محاصرة بجيوش الأعداء المشاكل التالية: (لون عيني القديسة العذراء مريم!)، (نوعية جنس الملائكة!)، (ماذا يحدث إن سقطت ذبابة ما في الماء المقدس، أتتقدس الذبابة أم يتنجس الماء؟!)
هذه كانت من نوعية فتاوينا منذ زمن قريب!، كانوا في عالمٍ آخر بعيدًا عنا!
..
توجد في الكتاب الكثير من المواقف الثابتة والملهمة في الصمود والمحافظة على العقيدة رغم شدة المكابدة، ومواقف جدالية جيدة تثبت وجود العالم الآخر والحياة بعد الموت، ووجود الله، كل هذا في معارض الرد أمام الشيوعيين.
ويختم بالكتاب بدعوة الغرب إلى إرسال الكتب المقدسة والكتيبات المسيحية إلى الدول الشيوعية، والتبرع لإعانة العائلات المنكوبة التي استشهد عائلها لأجل المسيح أو التي أفرج البوليس عن عائلها بعد أن جردته من جميع أملاكه ليبدأ مرةً أخرى من الصفر دون إعانة من الدولة على الإطلاق، ويكرر أن شوق الناس هناك إلى مجرد وجود الكتب المقدسة شديد جدًا، فيقول ..
زارني في أحد الأيام رجلان وسخان من إحدى القرى، كانا قد قدما إلى المدينة لكي يعملا في إزالة التربة المجلدة طوال الشتاء، فيدخران بعض المال أملاً منهما أن يقتنيا كتابًا مقدسًا باليًا، ليحملانه معهما إلى قريتهما، وحيث إنني كنت قد حصلت على كمية من الكتب المقدسة من الغرب، قدمت لهما كتابًا جديدًا، ولكنهما لم يصدقا عينيهما، ولقد حاولا أن يدفعا لي ثمنه مما أدخراه من المال، ولكنني رفضت قبض ثمنه، فعادا بسرعة إلى قريتهما برفقة الكتاب، وبعد أيام قليلة استلمت رسالة شكر تخللتها عاطفة شديدة وملأها فرح لا يوصف، كان الرسالة موقّعة من قبل ثلاثين شخصًا في القرية، كانوا قد قسموا الكتاب بعناية تامة إلى ثلاثين قسمًا استبدلوها فيما بينهم لقراءتها ..
أنه لمن المحزن أن نسمع رجلا روسيا يتوسل من أجل صفحة واحدة من الكتاب المقدس، فهو يغذي نفسه بها، وهم يسرون باقتناء كتاب مقدس مقابل تيس أو بقرة، وقد عرفت رجلا استبدل خاتم زواجه بعهد جديد متفكك ..
إلى آخر هذا .. وواضح أن البعثات الإسلامية كانت على ذلك العهد نائمةً في العسل!، ويؤلمني حتى مجرد التفكير في ذلك!
وإن كان أبرز ما في الكتاب مواقف صمود المسيحين (المؤمنين) ضد كل هذه التعسفات الشيوعية ضد الدين، من تشريد وسجن وقتل من يتحدث عن الدين ويدعو إليه، وقطع أي مساعدات حكومية عن أسرته وأطفاله والعقاب بالسجن ضد أي مَن يجرأ على مد يد العون إليها، وتوظيف رجال الدين المسيحين في الكنائس الرسمية لإفشاء أسرار رعيتهم وإلا التهديد بإغلاق الكنيسة أو استبدالهم بغيرهم، وتسخير وسائل الإعلام للحط من شأن الدين وإعلاء مبادئ عالم المادة
ويحكي أن وسط هذا كله، كانت (الكنيسة السرية) تقوم بدورٍ مذهل في الكفاح ضد الشيوعية في عقر دارها، وفي نشر (كلمة الله) بين الناس، وفي تحمل ما لا يحتمل، وأن الشعب الروسي كان شديد العطش إلى الإيمان، وأن حياته كانت قلقة مضطربة، وكان يملأ فراغها الروحاني بالإغراق في الخمر وسرقة ما هو من حقه في الأساس وما إلى ذلك، وحكى هنا عدد وافر من القصص التي لاقاها في سبيل تبشيره بين الناس، وكيف أنه لم يقم بأي جهدٍ سوى التحدث عن المسيح وعظة الجبل مثلا وحادثتي (الصلب) و(القيامة) ليتوافد عليه الجميع مؤمنين من المرة الأولى في لهفة وشوق إلى (المخلص)!!
وتحدث عن مواقف كفاح المسيحين المؤمنين داخل السجون، وعن تبشيرهم بداخلها، وكثرة ما يفاجأ الحراس المبشّر وهو في منتصف جملة ما، فيحملوه حملا عبر الرواق إلى غرفة الضرب، وثم بعد ساعات من الضرب المتواصل، يعيدوه مرضضا وداميا، ويرموه على الأرض في غرفة السجن، وما أن يستعيد ببطء نشاط جسمه المسحوق، ويمهد لباسه، حتى يسأل: والآن أيها الأخوة، أين قُوطِعت في رسالتي؟
ويقول كاتب الكتاب بعد كثير من مواقف السجن:
.. وأنا لا أشعر بالفشل لأنني قضيت سنين طويلة في السجن، فقد شاهدت أمورًا عذبة جدًا هناك، ومع أنني كنت ضعيفًا وهزيلا في السجن وبين المجهولين، لكنه كان لي الامتياز العظيم أن أعيش مع قديسين في السجن ذاته، مع ��بطال إيمان ضاهوا مؤمني القرون الأولى للمسيحية في عظمتهم
ثم يتحدث عن كيفية مهاجمة الشيوعية بالروح، لأن النظام الشيوعي لا يسعد أي إنسان، حتى ولا المتاجرين به، فالقادة أنفسهم يخشون من قدوم سيارة البوليس في أي ليلة كانت، لتقصيهم بعيدًا عن بيوتهم إثر تغيير خطة الحزب الفجائي!
فالكيفية هي ..
التفكير الاستراتيجي في العمل الإرسالي، (فمن وجهة نظر الخلاص أن جميع الناس متساوون، أما من وجهة نظر استراتيجية الإرساليات فالناس غير متساوين، لأن ربح رجل ذي نفوذ، والذي بدوره قد يربح الألوف فيما بعد، تفوق أهميته بما لا يقاس ربح رجل بدائي يعيش في الغابات وتأكيده على خلاص نفسه فقط، ولهذا السبب بالذات اختار المسيح أن ينهى رسالته، لا في قرية صغيرة، بل في مدينة القدس، مركز القيادة الروحية في العالم ..)
والتخلى عن العمل الروتيني ومواجهة الشيوعية بحرب روحية على خط أمامي، بدلا من أن تكون الكنيسة في حالة دفاع لا هجوم
وقال قصة عندما كان يتحدث عن الدور الفاتر للكنيسة الغربية في مقاومة دعاة الشيوعية، وعدم مبالتهم بالأمر برمته والتباحث في أمور لاهوتية جانبية أخرى ..
فقال ..
هذا ما يذكرني أنه فيما أحاطت جيوش محمد الثاني بمدينة القسطنطينية عام 1493، وكان على البلقانيين أن يقرروا لأجيال قادمة فيما إذا كانوا سيبقون تحت حكم المسيحين أم المسلمين، بحثت لجنة كنيسة محلية في مدينة محاصرة بجيوش الأعداء المشاكل التالية: (لون عيني القديسة العذراء مريم!)، (نوعية جنس الملائكة!)، (ماذا يحدث إن سقطت ذبابة ما في الماء المقدس، أتتقدس الذبابة أم يتنجس الماء؟!)
هذه كانت من نوعية فتاوينا منذ زمن قريب!، كانوا في عالمٍ آخر بعيدًا عنا!
..
توجد في الكتاب الكثير من المواقف الثابتة والملهمة في الصمود والمحافظة على العقيدة رغم شدة المكابدة، ومواقف جدالية جيدة تثبت وجود العالم الآخر والحياة بعد الموت، ووجود الله، كل هذا في معارض الرد أمام الشيوعيين.
ويختم بالكتاب بدعوة الغرب إلى إرسال الكتب المقدسة والكتيبات المسيحية إلى الدول الشيوعية، والتبرع لإعانة العائلات المنكوبة التي استشهد عائلها لأجل المسيح أو التي أفرج البوليس عن عائلها بعد أن جردته من جميع أملاكه ليبدأ مرةً أخرى من الصفر دون إعانة من الدولة على الإطلاق، ويكرر أن شوق الناس هناك إلى مجرد وجود الكتب المقدسة شديد جدًا، فيقول ..
زارني في أحد الأيام رجلان وسخان من إحدى القرى، كانا قد قدما إلى المدينة لكي يعملا في إزالة التربة المجلدة طوال الشتاء، فيدخران بعض المال أملاً منهما أن يقتنيا كتابًا مقدسًا باليًا، ليحملانه معهما إلى قريتهما، وحيث إنني كنت قد حصلت على كمية من الكتب المقدسة من الغرب، قدمت لهما كتابًا جديدًا، ولكنهما لم يصدقا عينيهما، ولقد حاولا أن يدفعا لي ثمنه مما أدخراه من المال، ولكنني رفضت قبض ثمنه، فعادا بسرعة إلى قريتهما برفقة الكتاب، وبعد أيام قليلة استلمت رسالة شكر تخللتها عاطفة شديدة وملأها فرح لا يوصف، كان الرسالة موقّعة من قبل ثلاثين شخصًا في القرية، كانوا قد قسموا الكتاب بعناية تامة إلى ثلاثين قسمًا استبدلوها فيما بينهم لقراءتها ..
أنه لمن المحزن أن نسمع رجلا روسيا يتوسل من أجل صفحة واحدة من الكتاب المقدس، فهو يغذي نفسه بها، وهم يسرون باقتناء كتاب مقدس مقابل تيس أو بقرة، وقد عرفت رجلا استبدل خاتم زواجه بعهد جديد متفكك ..
إلى آخر هذا .. وواضح أن البعثات الإسلامية كانت على ذلك العهد نائمةً في العسل!، ويؤلمني حتى مجرد التفكير في ذلك!
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