Tag: Persecution

Good Encouragement from Bad Imprisonment


The news out of North Korea does not appear good for Christians, but that doesn’t mean good can’t come from it. Our God redeems what otherwise appears lost and hopeless. Encouragement might result (see here).

Greg Cochran's avatarProject 13:3

 

North Korea Christian PersecutionI recently read a story concerning the state of Christians in North Korea. As expected, the situation for Christians there is grim. Though some reports state that new leader Kim Jong Un is easing some restrictions which made North Korea infamous in the first place, leading them to the #1 spot for the persecution of Christians on Open Doors annual watch list, the truth of the matter is that there are still tens of thousands of Christians in prisons in North Korea.

In the story, Ryan Morgan, an analyst with International Christian Concern (Asia), says this about recent reports of reform:

“We have not heard any reports of improvement for Christians in the country and have no reason to believe anything has changed.  The regime still has up to 70,000 Christians locked away in virtual concentration camps.”

Oddly, the Lord has used reports such as these in an unexpected…

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What Should We Think About Stories of Slaughtered Christians in Syria?


Politically, it would be easy to find fault with some of the decisions being made in our foreign policy.  Many politicians have in fact been critical of President Obama, calling for more serious action to be taken in Assyria (Joe Lieberman and John McCain are but two examples). Indeed, many websites are quickly seizing on... Continue Reading →

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Religious Freedom: A Clash of Categories


The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has released its annual report,  detailing the 16 countries which are of particular concern because of their stringent opposition to freedom in matters of religion.  The countries of particular concern this year are Burma, North Korea, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan (North),... Continue Reading →

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Chen Ups and Downs


UPDATE: Poor Chen Guangchen. His case is reportedly moving along, but the answers are not coming to some serious questions about Chen's future. Will there be retribution for those who helped Chen escape? Will he actually be permitted to leave the country? How is his health? Apparently, the U.S. Embassy has abandoned Chen. It is... Continue Reading →

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Blind Unbelief: China and Chen Guangcheng


“Blind unbelief is sure to err…” so penned William Cowper in his final and perhaps most poignant hymn, composed in 1774.  Of course, Cowper wrote from a Christian perspective and, though he suffered terribly from depression, he understood that God’s ordering of and teleological purposes for creation would always prove wise and good in the... Continue Reading →

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Path to True Blessing?


How do you know when you are blessed?  On first blush, you might respond that you know you are blessed when you have peace with God and peace with your wife and family.  Many of us would think we are blessed when we have plenty of money.  We think that NFL players who get paid... Continue Reading →

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What the Blind Man Sees


Blind human rights activist Chen has reportedly died from the torture and beatings he has endured at the hands of the Communist Chinese.  However, as this story notes,  no one can be sure of whether Chen is alive or dead, given the fact that the Communist government has sealed off access to Chen and has... Continue Reading →

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Islam Run Amok


UPDATE:  Thanks to Nina Shea, we now have word that Pastor Yousef did not waiver in his faith. He stood firm and once again refused to deny Christ.  From the court proceeding: The Washington Post’s blog Religion Right Now posted a piece by Jordan Sekulow that included the following excerpt from court proceedings this week:... Continue Reading →

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Faithless Funerals


There is a controversy brewing in Houston, TX, between veterans and the Veterans Administration.  I am interested in the controversy for a couple of reasons.  First, I attended the funeral service of my wife’s grandfather not too long ago in Houston.  He was a veteran, and there was a veteran’s service for him at the... Continue Reading →

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Some Relief for Sudanese Christians?


Sudan has been a nation at war for years.  The Muslims of the north have waged an all out war against the non-Muslims of the south, who are mostly Christians and animists.  As of today, South Sudan is a country of its own.  Let's hope this move brings peace.  Indeed, let's pray for peace.  The... Continue Reading →

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Maybe Some Good News from Iran


According to the Jubilee Campaign, there is good news from Iran.  Pastor Youcef will not be executed for being a Christian in Iran.  The report makes it unclear exactly what will happen next. It almost sounds as though he will be asked to deny Christ and return to Islam in order to have the charges... Continue Reading →

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A Painfully Good Question


I will be out of the country for a few weeks, but I wanted to leave you with a painfully good question that comes to us from a Jew: "Why don't Christians help Christians?" The question was asked by Dennis Prager with reverent concern for the health of American Christianity.  His article (read it here)... Continue Reading →

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Arab Spring More Like Kentucky Spring


Spring is supposed to be the time of blossoming life. Flower buds burst forth with petals gleaming white against the grassy green canvas of trees and lawns.  Purple, pink, and yellow splash throughout the portrait we call spring.  It is springtime.  But in Kentucky, spring has brought violent storms, tornadoes, and rain.  Lots of rain.... Continue Reading →

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Christians in Egypt (out of Egypt blog)


I have been posting news concerning Christians in Egypt for the past few months.  On at least 2 occasions, I have posted under the title "Out of Egypt" (see here and here).  Now, the folks at International Christian Concern have begun a new blog specifically designed to keep us up to date about the persecution... Continue Reading →

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