Are Christians Becoming An Endangered Species?

Are Christians Becoming An Endangered Species?

John R. Petrilli

By definition, an endangered species is a population of an organism which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers or it is threatened by changing environmental or predatory parameters. Currently 1,556 known species in the world have been identified as endangered, or near extinction, and are under protection by government law. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has calculated the percentage of endangered species to be forty percent of all organisms based on samples evaluated through 2006. The IUCN Red List uses the term “endangered species” as a specific category of imperilment, and includes the following categories: Extinct, Extinct in the wild, Critically endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable. At the international level, 190 countries have signed an accord agreeing to create Biodiversity Action Plans to protect endangered and other threatened species.

While our God-given mandate to care for creation surely includes the preservation of all species, there’s one species left off of the list of endangered species that should be cause for concern. That species would be the human species, and, more specifically, the Christian. Statistics argue this case quite convincingly, with the last century seeing more martyrs for the faith than in all previous centuries combined. Whether it’s ethnic cleansing, tribal warfare, or rank political intolerance, the church of Jesus Christ is experiencing record numbers of attrition. This situation is conveniently ignored by network news services, resulting in a state of near ignorance in the church in America.
But none of these developments need take us by surprise. Jesus assured His faithful followers that, as surely as the world hated Him, it would likewise hate them as well (John 15:18-21), and that such hatred could escalate all the way up to execution (John 16:1-4). But with that elevated level of opposition the Lord also promises special grace to overcome (John 16:33). Paul, too, warned any would be follower of Christ that persecution was part and parcel of the territory that came with being a Christian (Acts 14:22 ; Phil.1:29 ; 2 Tim. 3:12 ; 1 Thess. 3:2-4).

Paul knew what he was talking about. In a most revealing autobiographical sketch, he ticks off a long list of dangers he fell into as a Christian evangelist. In addition to death and deprivation, Paul faced the dangers of multiple imprisonments, countless beatings within an inch of his life, overexposure to the elements, drowning, traveling dangers, nautical dangers, terrestrial dangers, cosmopolitan dangers, rural dangers, and betrayals by disingenuous “brothers” in the Lord (2 Cor. 11:23-27). If anyone ever qualified for instant induction into God’s Hardship Hall Of Fame, it would have to be Paul. This guy’s life was one of constant danger and suspense. Almost a sort of Christian James Bond, Paul always seemed to be ducking death and dodging potential assassins. His life was anything thing but a “Cakewalk Christianity”. One commentator has wryly noted, “Wherever polite modern Christians meet, they throw a tea party; wherever Paul went they had a riot!” To keep this essay practical, I’ve decided to focus on the ways that we can cope with and get the most out of the days of opposition and potential danger that loom on the spiritual horizon. For help in this regard I can’t think of a better source than the apostle Peter. Writing to dispersed Christians who were really under the gun and on the run, Peter’s words gave the comfort, wisdom, perspective, and hope they needed to keep on keeping on. If you are about to toss this article because it doesn’t relate to you right now, please consider tucking it away for the rainy day that New Testament prophecy indicates is in the spiritual forecast.

PETER ENCOURAGES SUFFERING BELIEVERS TO STAY SOBER! 1 Pet. 1:13-16

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’.”

The first thing to go when under intense and prolonged persecution is one’s perspective. The first temptation isn’t to outright deny the Lord, but rather, to question whether the fight is winnable or even worth it. Prison camp officials understand the key role that right mentality plays in inmate survival, and do their best to warp the captive’s thought processes. They also attack the heart of the prisoner by demoralizing them, hoping to create emotional instability that will lead to a psychological breakdown. All this is done to wear down the detainee’s defenses, “crack” their minds and break their wills. Our spiritual enemy utilizes the same tactics, with deception and discouragement being two of his most effective tools. Aware of this, Peter urges his charges to think straight, maintain mental clarity, and pursue heart purity. Such defensive measures will shore up the soul against the darts of evil that will inevitably fly in their direction.

PETER ENCOURAGES SUFFERING BELIEVERS TO STAY FAITHFUL! 1 Pet. 2:20

“If you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God.”

It’s one thing to get what’s coming to us when we’ve blown it. But when we are punished for doing what’s right, this can become really confusing. It’s then that we need to realize that persecution never obeys the laws of logic. At its core, it’s a deranged mind using twisted tactics to accomplish evil outcomes. As such, we can’t expect the actions of our tormentors to make sense. In such a spiritual climate of chaotic conundrum, we need to hunker-down for the long haul, deciding at the outset to stick it out to the bitter end.

PETER ENCOURAGES SUFFERING BELIEVERS TO STAY CHRISTLIKE! 1 Pet. 2:21-23

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when he suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him Who judges justly.”

In the past few decades educators have discovered that different people have different learning styles. As it turns out, some learn best by actually doing the task. Employers have incorporated this methodology into their training of new hires. They place them alongside a seasoned worker to allow them to learn by example. This seems to be the approach Peter takes in helping his charges cope with persecution. He points them to Jesus Himself as their example. Jesus suffered with purity (“He committed no sin”), He suffered with honesty (“there was no deceit found in His mouth”), He suffered with forgiveness (“He did not retaliate”), and He suffered with faith (“He committed Himself to Him [the Father] Who judges righteously”). The writer to the Hebrews picks up on this same theme, citing Jesus’ incredible endurance in the face of the most intense suffering at the hands of men, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus … Who endured the Cross … Who endured such opposition from sinful men … in your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Hebrews 12:2-4) .

PETER ENCOURAGES SUFFERING BELIEVERS TO STAY EVANGELISTIC! 1 Pet. 3:13-16

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Evangelistic? In the middle of getting our heads chopped of we’re to be evangelistic? Believe it or not, those times when we’re under the gun of persecution may be the most golden opportunities we’ll ever have to show what our faith is really made of. Peter says that our calm conduct will speak to the hearts of those hammering us, and some may wonder how we can respond in such a way. It’s then that we have a teachable moment of powerful witness. It’s then that we can explain the source of our hope and peace. It’s then that we, as objects of man’s rage and violence, can speak of the hope of our salvation with the greatest clarity and power. Who was the very last person Jesus led into the kingdom? Was it not a dying thief who saw Jesus’ composure on the cross? Who was the last person who confessed Jesus’ deity? Was it not a Roman soldier who witnessed the dignity with which the savior died? With all the clever and helpful tools we have for outreach, let’s never underestimate the tool of suffering. God uses it to win hearts like no other means.

PETER ENCOURAGES SUFFERING BELIEVERS TO STAY JOYFUL! 1 Pet. 4:12-16

“Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

Picking up on Jesus’ heads-up that His followers would be targeted for abuse just as He was, Peter states that we should not be surprised when persecution comes. Indeed, some of his readers were headed for intense “fiery” trials for their faith. But instead of retaliation or resistance, Peter recommends that they rejoice! His reasoning is that our participation in the sufferings of Christ also guarantees our share in the glories that are promised to those who endure. Peter speaks from real life experience, for according to Luke, it was he and his fellow apostles who celebrated their unjust detainment and whipping as opportunities to be counted worthy to be publicly disgraced for the Name of Jesus (Acts 5:41).

PETER ENCOURAGES SUFFERING BELIEVERS TO STAY HOPEFUL! 1 Pet. 5:6-10

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

In our recent presidential election the entire story of John McCain’s capture, incarceration, and torture by the Viet Cong came to light. How he endured over four years of such abuse is beyond me. Ask any prisoner of war who his worst enemy was, and he’ll tell you it was himself. Survival in prisoner of war camps depend largely on one’s ability to keep his head. If they hold on to the hope of release, they can survive just about anything. Peter understood the power resident in hope. He knew that as he shifted the focus of suffering believers from the present trails to their future reward they would find superhuman strength to endure. Reminding them to remain humble (6), he encourages them to stay in touch with God in prayer (7). He urges them to remain spiritually alert (8). He tells them to stand firm in faith (9a). He explains that they’re not alone in suffering for Christ (9b), and assures them that there will come a day and time when all their nightmares will be over (10). Until then their victory would be found in their ability to focus on the hope they had in Jesus Christ and the future glory they’d share with Him.

The next time God calls you to stand up for Him and His Son, don’t sweat it. He’s in complete control, even in times of intense persecution. God promises special grace to those who find themselves in the throes of enemy opposition. We’re to stay cool, we’re to stay collected, and above all, we’re to stay focused on our victorious Savior!