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How does it work?
On a day that many pray for persecuted churches around the world, I received this insightful letter:
How do secret Christians get access to scripture? How do they study the Bible without being discovered? Do they use a tor browser, encrypted emails? Are they more likely to read the bible physically or digitally (as in an onion browser)?
Great questions! I replied:
From my times around various Iron and Silk curtains, I have seen that the most effective means appear to be:
- Print materials. These are easily burned/stashed in emergencies.
- Satellite feeds. Such are very hard to track, and persecutors are unable to stop the broadcasts that originate in free countries.
- Radio. Without sophisticated tracing systems, radio listeners can’t be easily located.
- Social media. As you imply, this is very risky. However, it’s ease and spread make it useful, especially for sharing secret codes re: gatherings.
- Encrypted communication. Ironically, sophisticated encryptions prove to be more dangerous than simple secret codes on regular media. There are some who use encrypted communication systems, but they live in continual dread of government decryption.
How can I help?
And that conversation led to real issue on our brother’s heart:
How can someone help these people on a more personal level? I just wish I knew how I could give my all to help the most oppressed.
Amen! Here’s the response I believe God wants from him and each of us:
- Stand undaunted. Don’t be ashamed of Christ or the persecuted brethren. (2 Tim. 1:8)
- Walk worthy. While you are still free from shackles, live in such a way that evil persecutors would find plenty of evidence that you follow Jesus. (Eph. 4:1)
- Pray. There is nothing more important one can do for any person than pray for him, and the persecuted should especially be remembered in prayer. (Eph. 6:18-20)
Meet needs. Through your local church and trustworthy mission agencies, give so that needed supplies to get to those under pressure. (This includes scripture, thus the “scrolls” in 2 Tim. 4:13)
God bless,
Wayne