Christians under the Hammer & Sickle

219 Pages·1972·21.655 MB·English

by  SCHEFFBUCH, Winrich

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TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN BY MARK A. NOLL
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PUBlIS~UNQ OF THE ZONOERVAN CORPORATION ,LflP
hOUSE GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49506
CHRISTENUNTER HAMMER UND SICHEL
by Winrich Scheffbuch
Copyright © 1972 by R. Brockhaus Verlag, Wuppertal
English edition copyright © 1974 by The Zondervan Corporation
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 73-13077
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission
of the copyright owner.
The spelling of Russian names and places has been arranged so as to let the
English reader approximate the Russian pronunciation.
Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTS
1. EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS IN RUSSIA 9
The Beginnings
The Bible Movement
The "Hourlies"
Persecution From the Beginning
A Bible Hour in the Prince's Castle
Lenin's Tactical War Against the Churches
Total War Against Religion
The Establishment of the Church Confederation
Khrushchev's Method
The Resistanceof the "Initsiativniki"
Frustrated Efforts at Mediation
No Quarrel in Front of Unbelievers
More Freedom Asa Tactical Expedient
New Persecutions
2. MARTYRDOM TODAY • 24
In the Shadowof the Cross
The Congregation in Brest Refuses to Be Wiped Out
Congregations Tested by Ten Yearsof Suffering
Young Prisoners
They Will Never Again Be Free
Imprisonment in the Face of Death
Homes Confiscated and Destroyed
Martyrdom Is to Be Kept Silent
3. FOR CHRIST'S SAKE 44
Persecutors Called to Repentance
They AcceptTheir Sentences
"A Preacher With Burning Zeal!"
Ineffective Ass'~ults
Forced Cure for Beliefin God
Fifteen Fines for One Pensioner
4. SUFFERING REVEALED 58
We Must Speak of Jesus
More Than the World Can Offer
Life LosesAll Sense Without God
After ReleaseFrom Prison
5. THE \VORD OF GOD SUSTAINS THEM 72
Letters From Prison
PrayThat We Will Remain Steadfast
No More Than We Can Bear
Joyin the Bible
No One Understands Me
Ten Children Without a Father
They BearTheir Burdens Together
6. CONVERSION TO SUFFERING 82
A Church Leader Sought by Wanted Posters
The Greater the Difficulties,the Firmer the Faith
In Harsh Affliction
The Freedom of Faith Cannot Be Killed
7. THE SERENITY OF FAITH IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION 93
Prayfor the Persecutors
"Activity Hostile to Society"
Greetings to Allthe Churches of the World
The Battle Over the Education of Children
Parents May Not Instruct Their Children in the Faith
8. THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY · 106
Concern for the Free Churches
Parents Organize Worship Services for Children
What AreWe Passingon to Our Children?
Faith Found in a Prison Camp
Many Publish Christian Writings
From the Standpoint of Atheistic Propaganda
Harassment and SufferingFrom a Different Perspective
9. WITNESSES TO THE FAITH BROKEN · 127
The Way of Maria Braun
"I Think About My Past With Shudders"
At the End of Their Own Strength
10. HIDDEN MARTYRDOM · 137
Separated From the Societyof Believers
Under Pressure
Mortal Danger for the SufferingChurch
A Christian LadyIs to Be Kept From Speaking
A Father Asksfor His Children
11. COMMUNION WITH THOSE \VHO SUFFER 151
"Pray for Me"
ALetter From the SovietUnion to all Christians of the World
From Letters
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 168
GAZETEER 170
172
CHRONOLOGY
ApPENDIX 174
Moscow REPORT: AGAINST SUCH, No LAW · 205
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