Christians in the Crosshairs: Persecution in the Bible and Around the World Today
Overview
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.
Praise for Christians in the Crosshairs
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 (Louisville, KY); Senior Fellow, Church Revitalization Center, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Greg Cochran 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
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
Top Highlights
“Christians can be arrested and killed for converting from Islam. The Taliban has vowed to eliminate the tiny population of Christians (maybe 2,500) and also eradicate any influence Christianity has in the country, including targeting humanitarian agencies with ties to Christianity.” (Page 35)
“Bible promise is debated, but regardless of whether one calls it a promise or a declaration, the statement makes clear that Christians can expect to suffer persecution: ‘Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’” (Page 5)
“Still others speak of persecution as though it were something to expect ‘over there’ in Muslim countries or Communist countries, but not in Europe or America.” (Page 5)
“Christians are presently going through intense persecution in more than three dozen countries around the world.” (Page 3)
“mong the most significant factors explaining this decline is religious persecution.’10” (Page 29)
Contents
- Why This Book on Christian Persecution?
- Part 1: The Meaning and Magnitude of Christian Persecution
- Toward a Definition of Christian Persecution
- Christian Persecution around the World Today
- Part 2: The Biblical Portrait of Persecution
- The Genesis of Persecution and Martyrdom: Stephen or Abel?
- The Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed Are the Persecuted”
- The Gospel of Mark: The High Cost of Following Jesus
- Luke-Acts: Persecution in Salvation History and the Early Church
- Paul’s Letters: Persecution and the Righteousness of Christ
- The Book of Hebrews: A Call to Remember the Persecuted
- Peter’s Epistles: Persecution and the Blessed Life
- John’s Writings: “Idolspizing” and Vindication
- Part 3: The Implications and Practical Applications
- The Presence of Christ: The Source and Comfort of Persecution
- Ministry to the Persecuted Church: Why It Should Be a Top Social Justice Concern for the Church
- You Can Make a Difference
Product Details
- Title: Christians in the Crosshairs: Persecution in the Bible and Around the World Today
- Author: Gregory C. Cochran
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2016
- Pages: 192
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 6x9
- ISBN: 9781683591702
About Gregory C. Cochran
Gregory C. Cochran (Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as Associate Professor of Theology in the School of Christian Ministries at California Baptist University, as well as the director of the Applied Theology program.