Tortured for Christ
Author: Richard
Wurmbrand
Publisher: The Voice
of the Martyrs, Inc.
Place and year of
publication: Bartlesville, OK 1976
Number of pages: 157
Where I found the
book: My house
Story Review
This story is about a man named Richard Wurmbrand. It took
place in Romania and the story began in the year 1944. Richard had grown up as
an orphan with a family in Romania. His life was bitter and plain with no
religion. He was an atheist and simply refused to believe in Christ, but still
something drew him to churches and their services on Sundays. He had a great
interest in religion and wanted to know more. He spoke to a pastor and the
pastor gave him a bible. Richard read it and accepted Christ into his heart.
His burning passion for Christ grew and he became a pastor of his own church,
but soon after, the communists came into Romania and set up a political system
known as Marxism (a form of communism), which didn’t allow for much religious
or political freedom. Communists took over Romania and replaced Christian
pastors with spies because they didn’t want anyone believing in Christ. Richard
simply could not become a spy. He founded a long line of churches known as the
underground church. They did everything to convert people to Christianity, but
their actions had a consequence. Torture, which explains the title “Tortured
for Christ”. If they were caught in these acts, they were taken to jail and
beaten, but they did not care. Their love of God had grown so strong that it
did not matter.
Christian Perspective
This book was definitely Christian, as the title indicates.
Christ was applied to all aspects of their life even in the worst times they
prayed and never doubted God. Their strength came from God and they were
internally strong even when they were physically weak. In jail or on the
streets they had no fear. This was admirable and the most I can say for this is
that they never feared, were always strong, and had hope.
My thoughts
Reading stories about people, like Richard, who have suffered for their faith can be inspiring. Sometimes I wonder if my faith would be stronger if the place we lived with was so intolerant of Jesus and what he stands for, that followers would be persecuted. However, I also think that if I would be bolder about my faith when I am in the community, I would face persecution. Probably the thing that's deterring me, and I'm sure this is not uncommon, is just fear of what people think. Reminds me that I need to pray for more boldness, and then represent Christ with boldness like Richard. Great book review Annie!
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