Their Blood Cries Out [Paperback]

Paul Marshall (Author), Lela Gilbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 1997

Today more than 200 million Christians around the world suffer imprisonment, abuse and even death because of their faith. Yet most Americans never hear their stories. In Their Blood Cries Out, Paul Marshall reveals the reality of this present-day persecution, revealing what we can do to help these brothers and sisters in Christ.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 12, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849940206
• ISBN-13: 978-0849940200
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #520,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clear and compassionate account of persecution today, January 9, 2003

By 

Durbanbay (Taipei,, Taipei Hsien Taiwan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Their Blood Cries Out (Paperback)

"Their Blood Cries Out" (TBCO) is a masterfully written, meticulously researched, deeply compassionate and intellectually honest account of the persecution of millions of Christians around the world today. Marshall is careful to define a Christian as a person whose "Christian faith is a central aspect of their lives"(see Appendix D). Marshall has produced a much needed, up to date account of the suffering that is inflicted upon Christians today. TBCO surveys many countries and regions where persecution takes place, it examines the reasons and the causes of this persecution, and it tries to understand American (Western) apathy towards religious persecution. It is an honest, all round examination that informs, provokes and convicts.

TBCO is neatly divided into two independent sections: the first section is a global survey of countries where persecution takes place. The second part examines the reasons for the lack of interest in persecution and Marshall tries to come to an understanding of "why don¡¦t people care.¡¨

The first part of TBCO examines persecution in Islamic, communist, Hindu/Buddhist and Orthodox Christian countries. For each country covered, Marshall has carefully collated information and testimonials from easily verifiable sources. The book is well footnoted and his claims can be easily checked. This survey is an interesting investigation that is written with a deep sense of compassion and understanding. Marshall manages to avoid the pitfalls of gross generalizations and appropriately basis his work and conclusions on verifiable evidence. In writing this book, Marshall has traveled to about 20 of the countries he writes about. His willingness to examine the evidence first hand and to compile the stories of those who suffer and die for their faith should motivate unaware Christians to stand up for their persecuted brethren.

TBCO was written in 1997. Although the data presented in the book may be outdated, the overall analysis is still relevant. Many of the countries covered in the survey conducted in the first part of the book are still persecuting Christians and, in some cases, the persecution has become more intense. Since the WTC attacks Christians in Islamic countries have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks. Indonesia saw a drastic increase in communal violence in places like central Sulawesi. The Montagnards in Vietnam have, since December 2000 faced increasing persecution. Christians in North Korea still suffer immensely. And the list continues to grow. The reasons for the persecution remain the same, and the number of testimonies increases.

The second part of TBCO is a fascinating investigation into the apathetic stance that is taken by comfortable Christians and Western secularists. Many Christians, even when informed about their suffering brethren, would rather discuss other things. As Marshall himself says, "The subject of persecuted Christians is jarring to an obsession of personal peace."Elsewhere he comments that, "the vast body of Christians in the United States have abdicated their responsibility to deal with the persecution of Christians."Marshall notes that "the situation of Christians overseas is passed by silently."In my experience, many Christians don¡¦t care. Much of what Marshall has said in the second part of this book remains true today.

Marshall shows clearly, conclusively and concisely how modern evangelicals in the west are obsessed with finding inner peace and would rather not hear about persecuted Christians. Marshall also observes that the mainline Churches seek outer peace, they try to maintain the status quo. He documents many examples of when organizations like the National Council of Churches (NCC) have blatantly ignored persecution. This is still true today. Recently a leader in the United Methodist Church has denied that there is persecution in Vietnam and has insisted, at the behest of the Vietnamese government, that there is religious freedom in that country.

Secular organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are also examined. Although Marshall rightly credits them for the brilliant work they do for human rights abuses, he also admonishes them for ignoring the plight of Christians. Marshall also admits that, "though instances of the persecution of Christians and other religious figures may be covered, we lose a recognition of the extent of religious persecution that exists in the world." But Marshall shows understanding when he points out that the extent of human suffering in the world today is so great that it is virtually impossible for those organizations to cover it all. He humbly confesses that he, in his survey, has not covered some countries, like Laos, where persecution is severe but "the events seems less important than other things included."He compassionately, and devastatingly knowingly implicates himself by asking, "How can one say that someone¡¦s death is not important?¡¨

Marshall does not leave us in despair asking what can be done. The last chapter examines things people can do to help suffering Christians around the world. The most important step, in my opinion, is to let others know. Do not be shy, or be unwilling to disturb someone¡¦s peace, be prepared to discuss persecution whenever the opportunity arises and challenge others to care.

TBCO has inspired me, convicted me and humbled me. It has forced me to face issues that are not comfortable to face; it has pushed me to action within my own community. TBCO has challenged me to care, to care for others that live far and near. Will you allow yourself to be challenged? Do you care?

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for the Ethically Inclined, August 15, 2001

By 

Charles Chappell "cc" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Their Blood Cries Out: The Untold Story of Persecution Against Christians in the Modern World (Hardcover)

This book will bring home a couple salient facts:

1. Christians are persecuted on a level today that hasn't been seen since the persecutions of ancient Rome - and, in raw numbers, probably dwarfs even those.

2. Our major media outlets -- as well as a good number of our ecclesiastical and "human rights" organizations - have been blind to this persecution owing primarily to their left-of-center political proclivities. Conservative Christian organizations don't come out unscathed either - they have a tendency to focus on apocalyptic themes instead of the necessary work at hand of saving Christians.

An added benefit in reading this book is the wonderful insight you'll gain as Mr. Marshall explains the tectonic forces of culture and religion that are in play in each of the countries he covers - not to mention a prescient perspective on the whole idea of culture vs. religion. Which one takes precedence - culture or religion? To listen to the nightly news, you'd think culture. Read this book for an incisive answer.

You'll never look at the evening news the same - and you'll always remember to include a mention in your prayers for those for whom their blood cries out.

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for anyone, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Their Blood Cries Out (Paperback)

We rarely hear in the news of religious persecution, let alone persecution of Christians. I am not Christian, but was still shocked, horrified and dismayed at all the injustice aimed at this population. Marshall covers briefly persecution of Muslims, Buddhists and others, and covers persecution by Christians as well - he limits his scope generally and intentionally to persecution of Christians in the 1990s, which sadly provides enough material for a full book. Marshall takes to task conservatives, liberals, secularists, evangelicals and anybody who has stood by silently in the face of these heinous acts. While there are a few inconsistencies in the book (such as his use of the terms liberal and conservative to refer alternatively to theology and politics, without distinugishing the usage) and the scope is limited, this book is a must read, since these problems are not covered in the mainstream media or the religious media (both of which Marshall takes to task for their failures). Marshall is right in wishing for freedom of religion and should be commended for pointing out places where it does not exist and where good people die simply due to their religious beliefs - you may not agree with what they think, but I don't see how you can disagree with their right to believe as they wish. Hopefully this book has encouraged and will encourage more action towards creating a more accepting and peaceful world.