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120 pages

English

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An insightful and (surprisingly) encouraging biblical explanation as to why trouble and persecution are inevitable for Christians. Since they are a peculiar people, and since they in the world but not of the world, and since they follow a Master who is offensive to many, Christians are naturally the objects of disdain and hostility. Understanding the nature of the enmity between the world and the Christian is critical for living in a world where Satan is its prince. The book is an attempt to start a conversation about the reality of Christian persecution. It is a wake-up call to the modern church, especially in United States. "My hope for all who read this volume," writes the author, "is a strengthened faith. One of the most surprising aspects of studying persecution has been its effect on me. I thought I would be dour and woeful-defeated-after hearing of great suffering. The opposite is true. The gospel-with its resurrection power-is able to take the worst situations and reframe them in victory. Hearing stories of triumph through suffering has been nothing short of glorious."

Sujets

Philosophie et théologie

Religious intolerance

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Publié par	Lexham Press
Date de parution	28 août 2018
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781683591719
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0600€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

“Greg Cochran is my friend and he was my pastor for nine years. He has given more thought to the issue of the persecuted church than any other one hundred Christians I know combined. This book is a distillation of much of that thought. If you’re skimming this endorsement to determine if you want to read the book, please allow me to offer a suggestion. Read the story of Sister Yuen in the Introduction. If that doesn’t open your heart to be concerned about the issue discussed in this book then you should pray for the Lord to help you with your hardness of heart.”
Donald S. Whitney , Professor of Biblical Spirituality The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ( www.biblicalspirituality.org )
“Finally, a book has been written to speak for those needing a voice in the American church. In this book, Greg Cochran has done a superb job of addressing Christian persecution throughout the world in a way that is clear, well-researched, biblically sound, and practically insightful. No one will be able to read this book and be unmoved by the author’s powerful call to prioritize the persecuted for Christ around the world. Read this book! I dare you. Just know that you will not be the same after.”
Brian Croft , Senior Pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church Founder, Practical Shepherding ( http://practicalshepherding.com/ ) Senior Fellow, Church Revitalization Center, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Persecution lies in the context of much of the Scriptures, and persecution emerges as a significant theme throughout the biblical story. Persecution also remains the daily reality for millions of Christians, and is in some sense the experience of all Christians. Christians in the Crosshairs: Persecution in the Bible and around the World Today sheds biblical, theological, missional, and practical light on this difficult but awe-inspiring theme of persecution. Clear, edifying, thoughtful, and mature, this book is based on years of research, teaching, pastoral ministry, and praying about persecution. Even more, it is important for understanding the Bible, persecution, the church, our mission, the culture, and ourselves.”
Chris Morgan , Dean and Professor of Theology California Baptist University
CHRISTIANS in the CROSSHAIRS
Persecution in the Bible and around the World Today
GREGORY C. COCHRAN
Christians in the Crosshairs: Persecution in the Bible and around the World Today
Copyright © 2016 by Gregory C. Cochran
Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225
LexhamPress.com
First edition by Weaver Book Company
All rights reserved. You may use brief quotations from this resource in presentations, articles, and books. For all other uses, please write Lexham Press for permission. Email us at permissions@ lexhampress.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New American Standard Bible®. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org .
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com .
Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Print ISBN 9781683591702
Digital ISBN 9781683591719
Cover: Frank Gutbrod
Interior design and typesetting: {In a Word}
Editing: Line for Line Publishing Services
Dedicated to my bride, to my father’s bride, and to the bride of Christ
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Introduction:
Why This Book on Christian Persecution?
PART 1. THE MEANING AND MAGNITUDE OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION
1. Toward a Definition of Christian Persecution and Martyrdom
2. Christian Persecution around the World Today
PART 2. THE BIBLICAL PORTRAIT OF PERSECUTION
3. The Genesis of Persecution and Martyrdom: Stephen or Abel?
4. The Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed Are the Persecuted”
5. The Gospel of Mark: The High Cost of Following Jesus
6. Luke-Acts: Persecution in Salvation History and the Early Church
7. Paul’s Letters: Persecution and the Righteousness of Christ
8. The Book of Hebrews: A Call to Remember the Persecuted
9. Peter’s Epistles: Persecution and the Blessed Life
10. John’s Writings: “Idolspizing” and Vindication
PART 3. THE IMPLICATIONS AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
11. The Presence of Christ: The Source and Comfort of Persecution
12. Ministry to the Persecuted Church: Why It Should Be a Top Social Justice Concern for the Church
13. You Can Make a Difference
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
N o book gets published without untold hours of dedication both from the author and from the many others necessary to make the publication happen. In this process, I have come to appreciate greatly the work of Jim Weaver and Weaver Book Company. I am thankful for his desire to publish high-quality biblical literature for the local church. I am thankful for his recognizing the great need for ministry to those suffering persecution and for his willingness to bring this publication to fruition.
My own desire to understand persecution began many years ago in an unsuspecting way when I was confronted with a free newsletter from Voice of the Martyrs ministry. That encounter began a journey that has taken me from ministry opportunities to Ph.D. study. I am grateful that the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary accepted my dissertation proposal and allowed me to pursue this subject academically — at a time when few people were thinking about the study of persecution. I am particularly thankful for the helpful insights and the strong critique I received from Dr. Mark Seifrid, who served on my Ph.D. supervisory committee and greatly sharpened my understanding of persecution in the New Testament.
My colleagues at California Baptist University have also provided further sharpening through many conversations on the various aspects of persecution. Three colleagues in particular have been remarkably helpful to me. Tony Chute has an uncanny ability to deliver succinct, clever remarks that cause me often to rethink entire trains of thought. Thank you, Tony.
Likewise, Jeff Mooney, professor of Old Testament, has for many years helped me think through this topic. His insights on the obligation of Christians toward the covenant community are nothing short of brilliant. I am so thankful for his input.
Most of all, I am thankful for Chris Morgan, a dean who encourages thorough academic study while modeling the heart of a servant. Chris dedicated personal time to reading the manuscript and offering invaluable critiques, which have undoubtedly made this book much better than it would have been without his input. Whatever shortcomings still remain are completely my fault and likely exist because I failed to follow Dr. Morgan’s wise advice.
Many friends have offered feedback on several of the chapters (thank you, Cesar and Rachel Solis). Other friends, like Jen Yakel and Steven Pugh, have offered prayers and encouragement through the long struggle. My family has been supportive of this task in many ways. My children have handled chores around the home to make writing and editing possible. They have read and offered feedback on the chapters as well. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with children who are moving into adulthood with faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Of all the support and encouragement I’ve received, none has surpassed what my wife has offered. Vickie is an excellent book editor. She has critiqued and edited countless pages of my writing over the years. If the book is clear and readable, then you, too, can thank Vickie. She is greater than any wife I could have imagined for myself. God has blessed me beyond measure in giving me a bride who delights in holiness and excellence for his name’s sake.
My hope for all who read this volume is a strengthened faith. One of the most surprising aspects of studying persecution has been its effect on me. I thought it would be dour and woeful and defeating. But the opposite was true. This is because the gospel — with its resurrection power — is able to take the worst situations and reframe them in victory. Hearing stories of triumph through suffering has been nothing short of glorious. Studying persecution biblically has led to the same conclusion. The gospel is truly the power of God to salvation for all who believe (Rom. 1:16). Studying persecution has encouraged stronger faith. My hope is that this book will have such an effect on you as you consider what the Scriptures teach about persecution.
INTRODUCTION: WHY THIS BOOK ON CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION?

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted .
(2 Tim. 3:12)
S he had not sung a solo on our stage before, but little Anna Grace — with her beautiful red hair and her round blue eyes sparkling more brightly than any Christmas lights ever could — offered a stirring performance of “Little Lamb,” which left the audience overjoyed, actually needing to applaud just to have a form of release for its delight. Anna Grace was adorable. Her cuteness alone merited applause, yet, for her, the song was clearly neither about herself nor for the audience. Her audience was one: her dad.
Her dad was playing guitar next to her as she sang. As soon as the song was complete (and the applause erupted), Anna Grace’s arms were extended — but not to her adoring fans. Rather, her hands reached for her father and hugged him ever so tightly, as if to say, “Did you like that, Daddy? I did it for you.” Anna Gr