Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 15:2 (Fall 2018)
Article: Finding The "Missio Dei" In Persecution And Martyrdom
Author: J. Tristan Hurley

JBTM 15:2 (Fall 2018) p. 2

Finding The Missio Dei In Persecution And Martyrdom

J. Tristan Hurley

J. Tristan Hurley is adjunct professor, L. R. Scarborough College at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. [email protected]

Christof Sauer observes,

Rarely have Western theologies engaged with the reality of suffering, persecution and martyrdom for Christ and their significance for mission. From a Western perspective, persecution is often something associated with the past. A few might know it is happening elsewhere, but the general assumption seems to be, “it will never happen here”…. Could it be that on closer study the topic might be of more relevance than we think, and that an exercise in globalizing theology might uncover some of our blind spots and correct our own theology?1

Christians all over the world experience persecution. For instance, throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Christians are seeing what journalist Stan Guthrie refers to as a “renewed assault on the church.”2 Raymond Ibrahim asserts, “Although Muslim persecution of Christians is one of the most dramatic stories of our time, it is also one of the least known in the West.”3 Churches are destroyed, families are torn apart, women are forced into slavery, and exile and murder are a reality for the majority Christian population. Rarely do Christians in the West place a concerned eye or academic study to the phenomena of Christian persecution. Eugene Weiner also attests to the “western” mindset regarding martyrdom and persecution, “In the modern western world, the psychological climate discourages total commitment and martyrdom. Individuals willing to martyr themselves for a cause strikes us as irrational and motivated by psychological problems.”4

JBTM 15:2 (Fall 2018) p. 3

Persecution is not a new phenomenon; persecution is a constant reality for Christians.5 In 1999, a group of international mission leaders outlined some key values for moving forward in a new century of missions with a key focus on persecution. This particular group published the Iguassu Affirmation which stated,

Suffering, persecution, and martyrdom are present realities for many Christians. We acknowledge that our obedience in mission involves suffering and recognize that the church is experiencing this. We affirm our privilege and responsibility to pray for those undergoing persecution. We are called to share i...