Tortured for Christ
Richard Wurmbrand writes the gripping story of his life as a Christian in Rumanian under communist rule. He spent fourteen years living in communist prisons for his faith. Ransomed for ten thousand dollars, Wurmbrand escaped to the Western world with the intention of bringing to light the horrors of communism and to be a voice for the underground church.
Wurmbrand grew up as an atheist and had a beautiful conversion. He says “out of remorse for having been an atheist, I longed from the first day of my conversion to be able to witness to the Russians. The Russians are a people raised from childhood in atheism.” (pg. 3) Shortly after his conversion, Nazism came to Rumania, allowing him the opportunity to share the message of Christ to the thousands of Russian war prisoners. This time also gave Wurmbrand and wife a taste of what was to come under the communism rule, even though the Nazi terror was already immense. They were hauled before Nazi leaders and judged. He says “these Nazi times had one great advantage. They taught us that physical beatings could be endured, that the human spirit with God’s help can survive horrible tortures. They taught us the technique of secret Christian work which was a preparation for a far worse ordeal to come - an ordeal which was just before us.” (pg. 3)
Shortly after, Communism came into power like a wolf dressed as a lamb. The official church was deceived be what communism taught and started changing the Gospel message to say that there was three revelations given by God: one through Moses, one through Jesus and the last through Stalin. This last revelation superseded the previous revelations. Yet there were those who did not agree. This was the start of the Underground Church in Rumania, compelled to faithfully evangelize, preach the Gospel and reach children for Christ. The Communist forbid all these activities, so the Underground Church knew the cost.
Wurmbrand recounts many stories about how he and many other followers boldly
Wurmbrand grew up as an atheist and had a beautiful conversion. He says “out of remorse for having been an atheist, I longed from the first day of my conversion to be able to witness to the Russians. The Russians are a people raised from childhood in atheism.” (pg. 3) Shortly after his conversion, Nazism came to Rumania, allowing him the opportunity to share the message of Christ to the thousands of Russian war prisoners. This time also gave Wurmbrand and wife a taste of what was to come under the communism rule, even though the Nazi terror was already immense. They were hauled before Nazi leaders and judged. He says “these Nazi times had one great advantage. They taught us that physical beatings could be endured, that the human spirit with God’s help can survive horrible tortures. They taught us the technique of secret Christian work which was a preparation for a far worse ordeal to come - an ordeal which was just before us.” (pg. 3)
Shortly after, Communism came into power like a wolf dressed as a lamb. The official church was deceived be what communism taught and started changing the Gospel message to say that there was three revelations given by God: one through Moses, one through Jesus and the last through Stalin. This last revelation superseded the previous revelations. Yet there were those who did not agree. This was the start of the Underground Church in Rumania, compelled to faithfully evangelize, preach the Gospel and reach children for Christ. The Communist forbid all these activities, so the Underground Church knew the cost.
Wurmbrand recounts many stories about how he and many other followers boldly