Martyrdom in Iran

The story here of a Iranian Christian pastor who will likely be executed by the Iranian government unless he renounces Christianity and embraces Islam reads exactly like hundreds of other stories I have read that cover several centuries of Islamic rule in Asia Minor, Greece, and the Middle East. The Islamic legal system seems to have at its very core the absolute right and duty to execute anyone who decides that Jesus Christ is Lord, and is willing to say so. In many cases under Ottoman rule, even someone born Christian could be denounced by a Muslim and hauled into court and asked to embrace Islam, or forfeit his life. Some martyrs were made this way because of a business dispute when the offended Muslim decided to get back at the Christian for a perceived offense, or perceived insult, or refusal to marry a Muslim and convert. Where else in the world today is someone liable to execution by the civil authorities for his religious beliefs? This is not to say all or most Muslims think this way (which should hardly need saying), but it is the received position. As to Iran, Christian martyrs in Persia go all the way back to the very early Church. Pray for Youcef Nadarkhani. He is standing on holy ground, with Christ at Golgotha.

Comments

[Sue Griffin]

I am praying for Youcef Nadarkhani with all my heart. We also prayed for him and his family in church yesterday. Ironically, the devotional in Our Daily Bread today was about the prophet Daniel who was also persecuted for his faith in Persia. Nothing has changed in that area of the world in spiritual battles! Our God reigns, however!