Faith That Endures. Ronald Boyd-MacMillan
The Essential Guide to the Persecuted Church
€ 15,95
ISBN: 9781852404499
368 pages
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Foreword by Brother Andrew
Introduction: “You Need Our Faith to Find Your Own!”
Part One What Does Contemporary Persecution Look Like?
1 The Dying: Kurdistan—Martyrs and Survivors
2 The Creeping: India—Vacuums, Villains, Lies, Mobs, and Megaphones
3 The Squeezing: China—“Persecution Is Like a Bamboo Brush!”
Part Two What Is Persecution?
4 Legal Definitions: Why the United Nations Can’t Help Lucy!
5 Biblical Definitions: Everyone Ought to Be Persecuted!
Part Three Where Is the Persecuted Church?
6 Sources: The Four Global Engines of Persecution Today
7 The Persecuted Church—Part One: Latin America, Middle East, Africa
8 The Persecuted Church—Part Two: Asia and the West
Part Four How Do We Help the Persecuted?
9 The Tricky Business of Doing More Good than Harm
10 What Works When? Seven Tactics of Intervention Assessed
11 The Donor’s Dilemma
Part Five What Can We Learn from the Persecuted?
12 Faith Model: Am I Walking the Way of the Cross?
13 Faith Warning: Am I in Enough Trouble for Jesus?
14 Faith Boost: Is My God Big Enough?
Notes
Acknowledgments
Further Reading Ideas
M. F. Buckland –
As a representative for Christian Solidarity Worldwide, I find that this is the only book which covers the whole subject of the persecuted church, and it manages to do so in a highly readable manner. Boyd-MacMillan writes from first hand experience of the church in every continent of the world in an engaging, readable manner that is as informative about the dynamics of modern world politics as it is about the costly nature of Christian witness on the front line. It explains what persecution means and what it does not, its place in history and in our world today.
Right from the first chapter, which offers a surprising new perspective on the place of Mao Tse Tung in history, I found this to be an excellent book which was hard to put down.
Anon –
Very informative and profound.
M. F. Buckland –
This book was published in 2006 and is the best up to date introduction to the persecuted church.
The UK and US editions have different pictures on the cover. The UK cover shows a candle with a crown of thorns. The US edition shows a candle held by hands. According to the author, the books are otherwise the same.
There are many books which concentrate on individual cases of imprisonment, torture and martyrdom, such as those by Richard Wurmbrand and Brother Yun. These are essential reading for those who wish to know about those cases and be inspired by them. Other books concentrate on specific countries or parts of the world, such as the Dalits in India.
As a representative for Christian Solidarity Worldwide, I find that this is the only book which covers whe whole subject of the persecuted church, and it manages to do so in a highly readable manner. Boyd-MacMillan writes from first hand experience of the church in every continent of the world in an engaging, readable manner that is as informative about the dynamics of modern world politics as it is about the costly nature of Christian witness on the front line. It explains what persecution means and what it does not, its place in history and in our world today.
Right from the first chapter, which offers a surprising new perspective on the place of Mao Tse Tung in history, I found this to be an excellent book which was hard to put down.
David Bennett –
I love this book. I have taught on “A Theology of Persecution” around the world, from Brazil to India. I have used the book in my studies and enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend it to you.
Anon –
Everyone should read this book and learn the facts.
Juliet –
Amazing and touching. Love this book and I’m not even done
Passionate Pete –
If you are serious about your Christian faith and you are open to being challenged then I heartily recommend this book. It will change your attitude and understanding towards the persecuted church. In the West, most of us are too comfortable in our faith. After the bible this is probably the best Christian book I have read.
J.W. Murphy –
Filled with tales from the persecuted body of Christ around the world, this helpful book sheds light on what persecution really is, on how we can genuinely help those who are enduring it, and on whether we are “in enough trouble for Jesus.” Often when we think of persecution, we think of those who lose their lives for the Lord. While it’s true that martyrdom “wakes us up to the way the world really is,” stripping away its illusion of being a reasonable place, it’s important to understand the countless stories of endurance by those who suffer for their faith. “The conflict that results from identifying with Christ widens out from fighting one’s own inner inclinations to struggling against the pressures of one’s culture until one finally sets out to confront the forces that shape our culture” (p.112). Boyd-MacMillan examines four global realities which give rise to various forms of persecution: religious nationalism, Islamic extremism, totalitarian insecurity, and secular intolerance. He reminds us that we must do battle against our reluctant hearts, against a blinding world, and against a lying devil. He concludes, “if the idols that surround you are leaving you alone, chances are that’s because you are worshiping them and not walking the way of the cross” (p.333).