Storm-swept Skies

It was in October 1990 that the Soviet Parliament formally legalized many of the religious freedoms which had gradually been introduced in the old Soviet Union over the previous two years. There was immense relief that the traditional anti-religious policy of the old regime had at last been so dramatically modified.

Hopes ran high for an era of religious freedom throughout the vast Soviet domain. Many evangelical groups took swift advantage of the changed political climate. Perestroika had brought priceless new opportunities for the spread of the gospel. Local church groups now had freedom to own property, to give spiritual instruction to children and engage more widely in charitable and pastoral work. International organizations promptly embraced the opportunity for unrestricted supply of Bibles, gospel radio coverage and the promotion of evangelical study courses and training facilities.

However, the Adversary has seen to it that what seemed a highly promising prospect should be marred both by political developments and by religious opposition to the true gospel of Christ. Today, the evangelical Christian in the former Soviet Union often has to serve the Lord Jesus under storm-swept skies, for problems have emerged from several directions.

First came the break-up of the Soviet Union into a Commonwealth of Independent States. This meant that the religious freedoms approved by the Parliament of the former Union would not now necessarily be assured in the separate States. Indeed in those States which have a predominantly Muslim element, the small minority of Christians is placed at disadvantage; in some instances they have suffered persecution at the hands of more extreme Muslim groups.

Then even in Russia itself there has been continuing resistance to perestroika by many who favour the old communist order of society. The strength of this element has been clearly illustrated by the two "October rebellions" against the Reformist policies, first of Gorbachev and then of Yeltsin. While officially the government of Russia still maintains its ideals of religious freedom, in some of the regions where reactionary views are strong these ideals are not in fact respected. Local officials have been able to harass believers in their worship and testimony despite central government legislation.

Further problems stem from the attitude of the Eastern Orthodox Church. They regard themselves as having been the bulwark of the Christian faith against an atheistic regime through seventy years of communist rule, involving "decades of pitiless persecutions". They therefore resent now having their influence undermined as other Christian denominations take advantage of the greater religious freedoms to launch large-scale missionary efforts. In particular, Roman Catholics and "certain Protestant Fundamentalists" are stated to be poaching for souls on what has been seen as Orthodox Church territory. As Patriarch Bartholomew complained, "It would have been better for the Vatican to help the Orthodox Church in its undertaking of re-evangelisation", rather than promote a rival missionary effort.

Evangelical believers recognize of course that neither Orthodox nor Catholic Churches bring the pure truth of the gospel to peoples emerging from atheistic darkness. Our greater concern is for Christian believers who are now in some areas being victimized by the Orthodox Church establishment because of their distinctive witness to the true principles of the gospel.

It was the wise Preacher who wrote:

He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap ... In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not which shall prosper whether this 4r that, or whether they both shall be alike good (Eccles.11:4,6).

In this spirit of faith widespread sowing of the gospel seed continues in many parts of the old Soviet Union despite the storms of hard-line reaction and religious opposition. Compared with the former concerted communist oppression the present situation still gives much wider scope for the spread of the Word of life. In this lies abundant hope. For Paul wrote to the Colossians that "the word of the truth of the gospel ... is come unto you; even as it is in all the world bearing fruit and increasing..." (Col. 1:5,6). That the living and active Word of God is now reaching many hearts throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States must ensure a harvest of spiritual blessing, despite all the storms of opposition.

unknown | Feb 1994
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