Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand

It was the book that shocked the world. After surviving 14 years in communist prisons, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand came to America to proclaim the trials and testimonies of our persecuted brothers and sisters.

In Tortured for Christ, Wurmbrand tells of his imprisonment for his work with the underground church and introduces the work of The Voice of the Martyrs. The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide.

Voice Of Martyrs was founded in 1967 by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ.Forty years later, The Voice of the Martyrs remains true to its calling to be a voice for persecuted Christians, to serve with them in their time of need and to assist them in their efforts to proclaim the gospel.

Tortured for Christ : Book Review

Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian Jew who gave up atheism for Christianity in his youth, writes about his years working as a pastor in the secret, Underground Church in Romania. Wurmbrand writes about this very book that it has “no literary value,” which is true. He writes in a “stream-of-consciousness” style, seemingly paying little attention to chronology and jumping from event to event.

But while Wurmbrand does not skillfully craft a literary masterpiece, he does give the reader quite a masterpiece as far as emotions and history are concerned. I’m aware of little historical work on Underground Churches anywhere–be it Eastern Europe, the Middle East, China, or other lands. Wurmbrand does history a great service as he provides a first-hand account of Romania’s secret church, how they worshiped, how they evangelized, how they communicated and provided support for each other, etc. The resourcefulness of the Church was both inspiring and surprising.

This book is also very emotionally charged. Wurmbrand pulls no punches as he describes the means by which he and other Christians were tortured: placed naked in a freezer until nearly dead, warmed up, then placed back in the freezer repeatedly; made to partake in a mock-Communion service of urine and feces; cut several times then placed in a room full of starving rats; and then there’s the conventional methods of torture: beating, attacking your family, and raping. Reading Wurmbrand’s description of these acts shocked this reader several times.

I highly recommend this book for both its historical and inspirational value. It is also highly recommended because, while Romania’s Underground Church no longer has to operate in secret, there exist Underground Churches in other nations of the world: China, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba (just to name a few). Reading about this particular underground church has given me insight to how the other Underground Churches still operate today.

Free copy of Tortured for Christ

Are you a U.S. resident? If yes, get a free complimentary copy of Tortured for Christ at your doorstep, right now in 2 weeks. (only one copy allowed per household). Are you interested?

Get the free complimentary copy of Tortured for Christ

And then you will also be awarded with a complimentary subscription to The Voice of The Martyrs, the award-winning monthly newsletter, which will keep you informed on Christian persecution worldwide while sharing practical opportunities to help Christians who are persecuted for their faith.

Please get the beautiful book, and after reading it, please share your thoughts, as comments under this article. Looking forward to see your reviews on Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand.

The fragrance of the knowledge of Christ is spread through the believer – (2 Cor. 14)

I looked out the window and noticed is a thorny plant in bloom. The flowers look like clover- round little purple heads on a tall and gangly stalk. The amazing thing is the amount of bees this plant has drawn. About thirty bees are literally swarming around  this bush. Now, there is no fragrance to this flower that I can detect, but, there is something  most definitely  appealing about this perennial  to these busy insects!

In the Bible God talks about fragrance a few times in both the Old and New Testament.  In 2 Cor. 14  He says, the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ is spread through the believer. In the next verse it says we (Christians) are the sweet fragrance of Christ to God .

So, therefore, we are the fragrance of Christ, to God, and we spread this fragrance of Christ to others. Just like the bees were drawn to the flowers which emitted no sweet smell to me, likewise non believers can be drawn to a Christian by some undetectable pull.

In the New Testament the story of a nice aroma is told in the book of John.  In this story, Mary took expensive perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet. This wonderful smell permeated the entire house. (John 12:3) Likewise, sometimes our love for Christ is overflowing in such a manner that the fragrance of joy is obvious to others, and draws them near to see what is going on.

In either of these manners – obvious or subtle, Christians must draw the secular population to the saving grace and knowledge of Jesus. This is the fragrance which is pleasing to our God.

- – - written by Marion Smith

Father, You have
Welcomed me home,
I embrace all
The Saints that have
Gone before me
And are my inspiration.

I come to you with
Awe and Wonder,
At how I can often
Receive You,
In the real presence.

To receive the
Blotting out of
My sins.
Giving me a way
Of atonement.
By coming before You
Through the sacrament
Of confession.

I know I will find
Grace in the sacraments,
I am in awe of the fullness
Of the Faith.

From the work
Of your divine appointing
Out of the line of David.
You sent your son Jesus,
To set up a kingdom
That will never end.

You proclaimed that
The keys to your
Kingdom are in
The hands of Peter
And upon this rock
You have built your Church.

The one true everlasting
Body of believers
Which I am to unite with
For all time.

- – - Submitted by Cyndi Robinson