While some Christians feel as if they are being held back by the American government and fellow citizens, it may be better for them to invest their time and energy into acknowledging their own public personas, and address whether their own behavior is what is ultimately harming Christianity. If they compare their actions to Christian priests in the former Soviet Union who faced intense religious persecution at times, they might have a better chance of bringing new members into their flock, or at least gaining respect and support from those outside of their faith. For instance, in 1972 Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote a public letter to Patriarch Pimen regarding the state of the Russian Orthodox Church. As being a new member of the faith, Solzhenitsyn …show more content…
was very critical of how the Church was handling the heavy influence of the communist government. While he had valid points regarding true instances of religious oppression, he did not handle the situation with finesse. Instead, his letter angered Archpriest Vsevolod Shpiller and others like him who were long-standing members of the Church, who were walking a tightrope trying to balance spreading their faith, yet protecting their congregations from the Soviet government (Simon 201-208). Like Solzhenitsyn, there are many American Christians and their leaders criticizing the government and society. While his points were more valid, it still remains that blaming and accusing others without understanding their viewpoint, causes more anger and does not lead to any noticeable resolution. Meanwhile, some American Christians could benefit from the path taken by Father Demitri Dudko.
He recognized the world Soviet citizens inhabited, and instead found ways to speak to the populace by following the law and following his moral conscious. This did end with him being arrested, but because he followed the law, it backfired against Russian authorities, because it garnered him more support. Moreover, unlike Solzhenitsyn, he did not try to dictate what Russian citizens did. Instead he had meetings and offered information to his audiences, answering any questions they might have. He let them make the key choice of deciding for themselves instead of trying to force his ways on them. This demonstrated a very important element from Christianity that is overlooked by many Christians, which is the gift of free will, which was given directly from God to humans. In fact, Dudko’s approach even led one foreign atheist to admit to finding value in Christianity (Ellis 309-315). Dudko is an example many American Christians could learn from, because he made meaningful social change by offering advice on how to improve their lives and leading by example, not trying to force his fellow citizens into believing what her did. When a person wants to do something, they are more likely to stick with it rather be resentful because they have to do it. By analyzing the behavior of these soviet priests, their current American counterparts could discover valuable tactics that could be employed …show more content…
to create a better relationship between modern Christians and American society. While Christianity in America is not perfect, and practitioners of the faith can experience ridicule, they do not suffer from religious persecution when someone tells them “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”, because a person has the basic human right not to say a religious greeting.
Even though things may not always be perfect for American Christians since culturally some things in America might not align with their personal beliefs, there is much they could do to help themselves. This would especially assist with what is supposed to be their main goal, spreading the word of Jesus through examples of his love and following his ministry. By looking at how their fellow citizens and the world view them, they can correct issues that may make their message appear hypocritical, while at the same time helping those in need. Especially when they give off the image of intolerance or being more concerned about wealth. Beyond this, they can explore cases of valid religious persecution, such as those found in the Soviet Union against the Russian Orthodox Church. By analyzing how people of those faiths responded, they could see what has historically been proven as effective or ineffective, and applying those lessons to their own practices and communications. With this, they could garner great change and help their own religious community and country grow
stronger.
“Vladimir Christianizes Russia” effectively illuminates the supposedly positive sentiments felt towards the Slavic Christianization. This tale allows the reader to see the glorification of Vladimir’s grand triumph in choosing Eastern Orthodoxy and delivering the Slavs to redemption. The success in demonstrating Vladimir’s achievement in delivering Russia to salvation allows us to comprehend the importance of Christianity in the culture of Russia. Works Cited Zenkovsky, Serge A. & Co. Vladimir Christianizes Russia.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, a Russian writer of the emotional piece One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich uses Russian traditional oral style skaz ( from Russian ‘skazat’ - to say or tell) and it explains the author’s general skaz approach in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich - Solzhenitsyn uses skaz to emphasize the experience of the camps and life as a prisoner. In order to attain gulag camp’s unfeigned internal atmosphere, he chose to highlight the harsh language and swearing, in relationships between zeks, it means the prisoners and guards. Also, use of animal comparison is significant accent to Russian culture, which most likely comes from legends and tales. Forced-labor camps prisoners, divided into squads are depending on the discretion of guards or squad leaders. Sense of community and inside-unwritten camp rules are shaping gulag zek’s everyday life.
I have recently finished reading “Men Have Forgotten God” by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. In his address, Solzhenitsyn discusses the many ways that the world has gradually began to change since its elimination of God. I decided to complete further research about the life of Solzhenitsyn to see if the words I had read were trustworthy and from a Christian standpoint. I also wanted to learn what had inspired Solzhenitsyn to give his address, what his purpose was in giving it, and what audience he had intended it for.
When asked the question “How should Christians relate to the surrounding culture?” the CWC figure that comes to mind is Francis of Assisi. But I’ll get back to that in a little bit. Today, more than ever, the secular world and the religious world are separating. No longer is America a Christian nation. And if we are being frank, it never was meant to be. It was created to be a place for all religions to come and assimilate. John Locke outlined this idea when he described small government and religious tolerance. If we accept what Augustine wrote when he talked about the city of God an the city of man, we can apply it to today, even though we live in a secular nation, we are part of God’s Kingdom. We live for Christ, and need to show the world what it is like to be a Christian in a secular world.
Persecution happens to many different religious groups worldwide – not just one in particular. In North Korea, Christians are treated horribly. They are not allowed to express their religion, or even own something as harmless as a Bible without severe consequences. In North Korea, “Being caught with a Bible is grounds for execution or a life-long political prison sentence. An estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Christians live in concentration camps, prisons, and prison-like circumstances under the regime of leader Kim Jong-Un” (Miller). Christians are living in awful circumstances and in some cases are being put to death, all for something as innocent as owning a Bible. In addition, Atheists are being persecuted in many areas in the world. Throughout the world, “Restrictions are many. IHEU figured that ‘in effect, you can be put to death for expressing Atheism in 13 countries’” (Bandow). Not following or identifying with a religion is something that cannot be controlled– yet in 13 countries, Atheists can lose their lives for choosing not to believe in any faith or spiritual deity. Murdering a human being for something beyond their control is not a humane thing to do. Sunni Muslims are persecuted against in many parts of the world as w...
that it is with him and not Alyosha (the 'Saviour' in the novel), that we as readers identify most strongly. Thus, they claim, by having us identify with the rational, amoral atheism of Ivan, the novel becomes something of a 'diabolodicy' rather than the great defense of God and Church it was intended to be....
Orthodoxy and if Russia fell from the grace of God, it would mean the end of the
It offers variety, new opinions, new lifestyles, and it brings people together. Religious diversity also works the same way. America is like a melting pot, and it is great to have a plethora of varying religions in our country. As shown by this quote in the crucible, “Their fathers had, of course, been persecuted in England. So now they and their church found it necessary to deny any other sect its freedom; lest their New Jerusalem be defiled and corrupted by wrong ways and deceitful ideas,” it shows the appeal of coming to America to seek freedom from oppression in other countries. Although, even though there are a large majority of Americans who practice some sect of Christianity, we have to remember that there are also those who choose not to participate in religion. So it makes sense that when issues like ‘the war on christmas’ come up, that it can cause heated debates nationally. For example, in Melanie Springer Mock’s, “The misguided war on Christmas”, she leaves the readers with an interesting thought: “After all, if Christians about “the reason for the season,” that seems like evangelism, an act in which the government should play no role. After all, if Christians were a minor faith-- as my Mennonite ancestors were in Europe several centuries ago--I imagine they would not wish to be evangelized by those in the majority, be they Muslims or Jews or Hare Krishnas.” Which is interesting to think about because it provides
Which resulted in making the churches dedicated powerful forces to be reckoned with in the United States. Thus making some Evangelicals delighted with the heavy influence they had over people through their
One topic that is very important is concerning the reception of Christians. We are told to receive all fellow Christians with love and kindness. If he who comes is a wayfarer, assist him as far as you are able but he can not stay with you for more than two or three days. If he wants to live with you, he must be put to work as payment. Christians shall not live with other people for free. If he lives idle in the house of another then he is a Christ-monger. The tests for true Christians is a very simple one but in those ancient times, it did in fact work.
Ivan Fyodorovich is a difficult character to label. In fact, his views are so fickle and whimsical that it almost seems like hypocrisy. We know this is untrue, however, and it is not difficult to see ourselves in his position. He brings up major flaws in religion, specifically Book 5, where he contemplates suffering, free will and morality. He builds the plot and has an avid role in the messages portrayed throughout the novel and the story itself.
In comparison with many other countries, the American Church is well resourced. One can hardly say anything about the academy without noting the large numbers of underemployed biblical scholars with PhDs in the United States, even while the Church in parts of Africa, Asia, South America, and even Europe are desperate for scholar-pastors to help in theological school teaching. Again, following the example of my own mentor Gordon Fee who took one term in three to serve the Church in developing countries, I hope to continue my commitment to teaching and training national church leaders in under-resourced countries, perhaps by volunteering my services abroad, or by leading student teams on short-term trips overseas, or by being involved in a college’s international students group. Believing in reciprocity of community, I believe that my own understanding of theological education will be enhanced significantly by the worldwide communion of the Church’s scholar-pastors and their congregations. Given the cross-culture ministry of Paul the scholar and Barnabas the mentor, such endeavors seem
Ivan’s non-acceptance of faith stems from the innocent suffering of children. There is in him an intense conflict between his desire for “rational” retributive justice, on the one hand, and the sublimity of universal forgiveness, on the other. The intensity of Ivan’s conflict between his desire for “rational” retributive justice, on the one hand, and the sublimity of universal forgiveness, on the other, is revealed by Dostoevsky’s underlining. Nonetheless, Ivan is unyielding in his refusal, which culminates in his famous declaration: “And so I hasten to give back my entrance ticket, and if I am an honest man I must give it back as soon as possible. . . . It’s not God that I don’t accept, Alyosha, only I most respectfully return Him my ticket.”
Two places that currently seen to be resisting the sway of the religious movement is justice and economics. If America’s sense of justice was as heavily influenced by Christianity as many other parts are, it would include the intertwinement of both justice and love. Yet this is an area that both Christians and non-Christians seem to fail in. Justice is viewed as righting wrongs, but in the process destroying those that stand in the way. Both liberals and conservatives are pitted against one another in an unforgiving pursuit of their idea of justice. While Christianity does effect hat the conservatives view as justice (pro-life, traditional family values), it does not seem to have effected the way they search for it. On a similar note, economics seems to has escaped a biblical influence. The Bible promotes the taking care of those lest fortunate than oneself and the generosity of those who are blessed with plenty. However, it seems to be the Christian Right that fights hardest against aid like social welfare, unemployment benefits, and food stamps. Those who support these causes tend to fall more in the liberal spectrum, and are not motivated by any Christian views per say, but a sense of
When going to spread the gospel to people that are in need, it is highly important to help them in the areas they are struggling in. For instance, if a country is struggling with starvation then providing food and water for them would gain their trust and attention. Using a countries point of weakness to relate to certain Bible stories is also a great technique to use when witnessing. Once again, the country that is starving would gain a new hope if they heard the stories of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Since the Abdul people are struggling with poverty they would be reached best through charity and stories about Jesus providing to those who trust him.