Posted on 04/28/2007 9:57:35 AM PDT by kellynla
In an act that hit the front pages of the largest newspapers in Turkey, the widow of a martyred Christian told reporters she did not want revenge against the Muslims who killed her husband and two others, according to a new report from Voice of the Martyrs.
"Oh God, forgive them for they know not what they do," she said, agreeing with the words of Christ on Calvary (Luke 23.34), according to a letter Christians in Turkey have written to the worldwide church, a letter released through Voice of the Martyrs.
"In a country where blood-for-blood revenge is as normal as breathing, many many reports have come to the attention of the church of how this comment of Susanne Tilman has changed lives," the letter said. "One columnist wrote of her comment, 'She said in one sentence what 1,000 missionaries in 1,000 years could never do.'"
Necati Aydin, Tilman Geske and Ugur Yuksel, (L to R) who were martyred by Muslims in Turkey
She is the widow of Tilman Geske, a German citizen who along with two Turkish Christians were martyred recently – allegedly by five Muslims who met the three victims at a Christian publishing company for a Bible study.
Authorities have taken several suspects into custody, and their cases remain pending.
The letter titled "A letter to the Global Church from The Protestant Church of Smyrna" was received by VOM shortly after the slayings, and the ministry organization that works with the Persecuted Church worldwide is publicizing it.
"The Voice of the Martyrs has already been actively involved in assisting the families of these courageous Christians. We encourage you to pray for them as they grieve, and to pray that this will be a significant turning point for the gospel in Turkey," the organization said.
(Story continues below)
VOM noted that 2,000 years earlier, this location of Christians was addressed in Rev. 2:8-11: "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write… 'Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.'"
The letter describes the work Geske, 46, was doing on a new Turkish Study Bible. That morning, he went to the offices of Zirve Publishing, which produces and distributes Christian literature to Malatya and other parts of eastern Turkey, for a Bible study. Pastor Necati Aydin, the father of two, also left for the same office, as did Ugur Yuksel.
"None of these three men knew that what awaited them at the Bible study was the ultimate testing and application of their faith, which would conclude with their entrance into glory to receive their crown of righteousness from Christ," the letter said.
Also heading to the Bible study were five men thought to be "seekers" who had been guests of Pastor Necati at an invitation-only evangelistic service earlier.
"No one knows what happened in the hearts of those men as they listened to the gospel. Were they touched by the Holy Spirit? Were they convicted of sin? Did they hear the gospel in their heart of hearts? Today we only have the beginning of their story," the letter said.
"The young men got guns, bread knives, ropes and towels ready for their final act of service to Allah. They knew there would be a lot of blood. They arrived in time for the Bible study, around 10 o'clock," the letter said. "Reportedly, after Necati read a chapter from the Bible the assault began. The boys tied Ugur, Necati, and Tilman's hands and feet to chairs and as they videoed their work on their cellphones, they tortured our brothers for almost three hours."
The letter included the following graphic details of the torture:
"Tilman was stabbed 156 times, Necati 99 times and Ugur’s stabs were too numerous to count. They were disemboweled, and their intestines sliced up in front of their eyes. They were emasculated and watched as those body parts were destroyed. Fingers were chopped off, their noses and mouths and anuses were sliced open. Possibly the worst part was watching as their brothers were likewise tortured. Finally, their throats were sliced from ear to ear, heads practically decapitated."
The letter released by Voice of the Martyrs said neighbors thought the noise was a domestic argument so they did not respond.
Another believer, Gokhan, arrived about 12:30, but couldn't get in, so he called.
"Ugur answered his phone. 'We are not at the office. Go to the hotel meeting. We are there. We will come there,' he said cryptically. As Ugur spoke Gokhan heard in the telephone's background weeping and a strange snarling sound," the letter said. He called police.
When officers entered, they found, "Tilman and Necati had been slaughtered, practically decapitated with their necks slit from ear to ear. Ugur's throat was likewise slit and he was barely alive," the letter said.
Several assailants were caught in the room, and two nearby, including one who apparently tried to jump out a window to flee and was seriously hurt.
The letter said persecution of Christians – bombings, physical attacks, verbal and written abuse as well as media propaganda -- moved into the intense range following a decision in 2001 by the National Security Council of Turkey to consider Christians a threat to national security on the same level as al-Qaida.
The letter described cameras in churches to promote fear and antagonism towards Christians.
What Turkey witnessed from its Christians was something else. "Hundreds of believers and dozens of pastors flew in as fast as they could to stand by the small church of Malatya and encourage the believers, take care of legal issues, and represent Christians to the media," the letter said.
When Susanne Tilman desired to bury her husband in Malatya, the local officials spread rumors it was a sin to dig a grave for a Christian, so volunteers from the church in Adana dug the grave in an untended 100-year-old Armenian graveyard, the letter said.
Ugur was buried with "his believing fiancée watching from the shadows as his family and friends refused to accept in death the faith Ugur had so long professed and died for," the letter said.
"Necati's funeral took place in his hometown of Izmir, the city where he came to faith. The darkness does not understand the light. Though the churches expressed their forgiveness for the event, Christians were not to be trusted. Before they would load the coffin onto the plane from Malatya, it went through two separate X-ray exams to make sure it was not loaded with explosives," the letter said. "Necati's funeral was a beautiful event. Like a glimpse of heaven, thousands of Turkish Christians and missionaries came to show their love for Christ, and their honor for this man chosen to die for Christ. Necati's wife Shemsa told the world, 'His death was full of meaning, because he died for Christ and he lived for Christ… Necati was a gift from God. I feel honored that he was in my life, I feel crowned with honor. I want to be worthy of that honor.'"
Then Susanne Tilman expressed her forgiveness in a television interview that was reported on front pages across Turkey.
The letter said the Malatya missionaries most likely will move, as they've been identified as targets in that hostile city, and the remaining 10 believers have gone into hiding.
"What will happen to this church, this light in the darkness? Most likely it will go underground. Pray for wisdom, that Turkish brothers from other cities will go to lead the leadership church," the letter said.
"Please pray for the Church in Turkey," wrote Pastor Fikret Bocek. "Don't pray against persecution, pray for perseverance."
"This we know. Christ Jesus was there when our brothers were giving their lives for Him. He was there, like He was when Stephen was being stoned in the sight of Saul of Tarsus," the letter said. "Someday the video of the deaths of our brothers may reveal more to us about the strength that we know Christ gave them to endure their last cross, about the peace the Spirit of God endowed them with to suffer for their beloved Savior. But we know He did not leave their side."
"We pray – and urge you to pray – that someday at least one of those five boys will come to faith because of the testimony in death of Tilman Geske, who gave his life as a missionary to his beloved Turks, and the testimonies in death of Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, the first martyrs for Christ out of the Turkish Church," the letter said.
Susanne said she planned to remain in Turkey with her children, Michal Janina, 13, Lukas, 10, and Miriam, 8.
Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, interdenominational ministry working worldwide to help Christians who are persecuted for their faith, and to educate the world about that persecution. Its headquarters are in Bartlesville, Okla., and it has 30 affiliated international offices.
It was launched by the late Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, who started smuggling Russian Gospels into Russia in 1947, just months before Richard was abducted and imprisoned in Romania where he was tortured for his refusal to recant Christianity.
He eventually was released in 1964 and the next year he testified about the persecution of Christians before the U.S. Senate's Internal Security Subcommittee, stripping to the waist to show the deep torture wound scars on his body.
The group that later was renamed The Voice of the Martyrs was organized in 1967, when his book, "Tortured for Christ," was released.
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Repeat slowly:
“individual duty vs state responsibility”
repeat till it sinks in.
Good distinction between state and individual, and I generally agree, though of course citizenship means something different in a representative republic than in an inherited dictatorship like ancient Rome. That is to say, the Quakers and pacifists who apply Jesus’s teachings to the state would argue that the state/citizen dichotomy is no longer so stark. I think they have a point, though inevitably (and ironically), that kind of thinking leads a society back to totalitarian collectivism.
It is the quaker/pacifist movement in England which has been, in fact, the link between Christianity and leftism. Xty and the right are so associated here in America that we think it strange, but leftism is not considered “unbiblical” in England by many Christians. I think it is clearly unbiblical, as is pacifism. Again, Paul specifically tells us that the state bears the sword (force) as an agent of God. Leftism is unbiblical in that it renounces the right to private property, which is everywhere affirmed in scripture, from the command “thou shalt not steal” to Peter telling Ananias that the property he lied about was his to do as he pleased with. Leftism also is naive about the selfish and grasping nature of men, converted or not. The best way to restrain THE EFFECTS OF greed is to let em all go at it at once. It is a pipe dream to think that anything but the gospel of Christ can cause a man to turn away from posessions as a means of security.
Ping to keep on my personal ping list. May God be glorified!
‘leftism is not considered “unbiblical” in England by many Christians’
You’re not going far enough: in most of the world, including Latin America and Africa, leftist economic policies are often associated with Christianity. America, as usual, is an exception, not the rule.
The crux of the matter is that there is a difference between public and private (or social and individual) ethics and responsibility.
Distinctly Christian ethics at the individual level command that we forgive—even the unrepentant. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Jesus’ pleading from the cross itself is our ultimate example.
However, public or social law requires that we punish evil doers. These (secular) laws should not be confused with godly morality or Christian ethics, as they only really cover misdeads that offend the public order. A man can hate and lust, and even lie all he wants (within limits), without breaking the law, but murder or theft or rape are public offenses, beyond being simply sins.
I’m always disturbed when I hear of a notorious criminal’s victim’s family bitterly saying, after a legal conviction, that “that’s the most he deserves!” as bitterness is never right...even if understandable. The obligation of the Christian is to personally forgive, even while upholding the law to prosecute and convict the offender.
In 3rd world countries though, this is often impossible—and even in ours (e.g. OJ Simpson) the punishment (if any) often doesn’t fit the crime. However, even when the legal system has perverted (public) justice, and we should do everything to prevent that, Christians must (personally) forgive.
“forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us...” (from the Lord’s Prayer).
I see both of your points of view. While it is true that the reception of God’s forgiveness also means repentance, or turning away in sorrow, from sin, and faith in Christ, that is in our relationship to God.
Even in that relationship, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” So God’s forgiveness came first, before we were even repentant...but it cannot be applied without repentance—coming from the conviction of sin and the quickening of the heart by the Holy Spirit.
However, we as human to human, must forgive, in all situations, whether the sinner is repentant or not. This does NOT imply a restoration of fellowship, when someone is unrepentant. This kind of forgiveness implies giving over to God the right and responsibility of justice, and not taking any sort of revenge or even having internal bitterness on our part. It is only when we have such a humble attitude of “there but for the grace of God go I” that we can even approach the person to publicly forgive. If we tried to live a life ONLY ever forgiving people who were sorry, it would mean eventual alienation from almost everyone—be they Christian brothers or not.
In the same way that there are many sins we do against God, and don’t even know it...(often sins of attitude, and lack of trust) there are little sins and offenses others do to us...and they don’t even know it. When possible (if its big enough) we should tell Christian brothers when they offend us—but many times, that just simply is not practical or desireable, and ALWAYS we must forgive—knowing God forgives us, even in the areas we’re not aware of (yet).
Still though, public crimes must be publically punished by the proper authority in government, and we must uphold that. Personal forgiveness can not be confused or extended to public justice, which must for the sake of society, be upheld.
If someone murders my brother, I must forgive him, even if he never repents, even while making sure the prosecutor pursues and punishes him to the full extent of the law. That doesn’t mean the murderer will be a friend (if unrepentent) it just means I’m giving up the right of personal justice/punishment up to God.
To all christians I Think it is hightime we grow up to start prepare for the endtime persecutions instead of concentrating our effort in fighting with one another. Our weapons are not carnal but of the Spirit God Jehovah. They are Strong enough to pull down all Strongholds.
To the deceased families, may God carry you through these days just as he did with Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego.
Actually he does. I've cited the relevant passage from Scripture for you several times.
Are you saying that Luke was lying?
L
Actually, either you misinterpret Luke (which I have attempted to state to you), or Mark 11:25 contradicts Luke (which I have also posted to you. Mark says SPECIFICALLY that we are NOT to wait for the other person to “repent” in order to extend forgiveness.
Again, this has nothing to do with whether an individual Christian is called to forgive a personal injury due to persecution or simply the evil activities of men. Before this thread, I have never seen someone claim that Christians have a right (much less an obligation) to hold a grudge until a person "repents."
This does NOT state nor imply that a person cannot defend himself, nor appeal to the civil magistrate for protection. Paul availed himself of his rights as a Roman citizen in appealing to Caesar, and rightfully used his legal status to trump the murderous wishes of the "freedmen" in Acts.
My whole objection to the tone of the thread in parts is the criticism of a woman who is displaying an attitude which is ABSOLUTELY impossible without the spirit of God, and is the essence of the character of a Christian. It is as though she says "yes, Paul, I will return good for evil and thus overcome evil with good, even though I have suffered excrusiatingly in doing so" and a bunch of people who have never seen REAL persecution in their lives are jumping in to correct her and tell her she should not be forgiving these men. This is arrogance of the highest order.
Actually it seems you have a problem understanding plain standard English.
"and if he repents, forgive him."
There ain't whole lot of room for misinterpretation there. Unless of course you're in one of those cafeteria style churches where you get to pick and chose which parts of Gospel you want to follow.
Mark says SPECIFICALLY that we are NOT to wait for the other person to “repent” in order to extend forgiveness.
Mark said no such thing: Mark 6:12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent.
See also: Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
And we also have our old friend Luke: Luke 17:3-4 (Words of Jesus in bold, italics mine, L.) Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4 And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive."
L
Luke 17:3-4 (Words of Jesus in bold, italics mine, L.) Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4 And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive."
So don't argue with me, take it up with Jesus.
L
I am, and have been in full agreement with you.
Cheers!
The difference between Christians and anyone else.
Forgiveness is for the victim and God to proffer. It is not for us left behind.
Since in this case the victim is dead and can’t do so, it’s up to God, if He wants to.
I am done with this one.
Nowhere in God's Word does it equate forgiveness with the meting out of justice. In this case justice calls for the destruction of these wicked people, delivering them into the hands of the Almighty for judgement.
Actually it says and implies just that. You have inferred incorrectly.
"If" is a conditional word. "If" this happens, then that happens. "If" this doesn't happen, then that doesn't happen.
Pretty simple really.
But there's always a few folks who try to make the Christian Bible say what they want it to say, rather than what it actually says.
Like I said, don't argue with me. Argue with Jesus.
L
You are mixing up reconciliation with forgiveness.
You can forgive someone without their participation, and they can go on their merry way without ever knowing that they've been forgiven. Reconciliation, requires the parties involved to come to an agreement concerning the offense, redress in the form of apology, or payment, etc...
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