CHRISTIANS IN THE FIRING LINE 2:
Inspiring faith stories of the individuals
behind key legal cases and how their
faith stood up under trial
By Richard Scott
Wilberforce Publications. 249 pages.
£12.50
ISBN 978 1 999 584 207
How many people are presently on the mission field, and how many Christians have been inspired to pray faithfully for them because of the stories they heard or read about missionary pioneers? Surely a large number.
The stories told in this sequel to a previous set of accounts of cases handled by the Christian Legal Centre are likely to have a similar effect on those in the workplace in an increasing secular culture. There is a present and growing need for role models of those who have stood up to injustice for acting out of Christian conviction.
It highlights how far Christian credibility and trustworthiness have been undermined as we reap the consequences of turning our backs on God’s revealed truth for principle and behaviour. But the problem extends far beyond the workplace as not only employees, but also parents, students, committee members, church office holders and church members generally, need to learn how to be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves in a culture where good intentions frequently turn out to be misunderstood and even dangerous.
It is encouraging to see how Christians have weathered and even grown in the storm of trial. But this does not entirely answer a larger question raised here: that is, how much longer in a post-Christian society it is going to be worth pursuing justice through the courts, and when we should expect injustice and endure it as a badge of faithfulness as the One we love and serve did, and as millions of Christians throughout history and presently have to do? This time is surely not far away.
So, in addition to the need for more inspiring stories of faith under trial, there is an urgent need for preaching and Bible study which addresses this problem and prepares us to meet slander, misrepresentation and all manner of injustice in a worthy, God-honouring way.
