Practices in Christianity: persecution, suffering and the Church — responses to persecution

What you'll learn

This topic examines how Christians have historically responded to persecution and how contemporary Christians face and react to suffering for their faith. You'll need to understand the theological basis for Christian responses, real-world examples of persecution, and the variety of ways the Church supports persecuted believers. Exam questions frequently ask you to evaluate different Christian responses using biblical teachings and contemporary evidence.

Key terms and definitions

Persecution — systematic mistreatment or harassment of individuals or groups because of their religious beliefs, ranging from discrimination to violence and death.

Martyr — someone who is killed because of their religious faith; from the Greek word for "witness," martyrs are seen as witnesses to Christ through their death.

Apostasy — the act of renouncing one's religious faith, often under threat or persecution.

Evangelism — spreading the Christian message and actively seeking to convert others to Christianity, sometimes continuing despite persecution.

Advocacy — publicly supporting or defending a cause or group of people, particularly used when Christian organisations campaign for persecuted believers.

Ecumenical movement — cooperation between different Christian denominations, often united in responding to persecution of any Christians worldwide.

Non-violent resistance — responding to persecution by refusing to comply with unjust laws or demands while not using physical violence, following Jesus's teaching to "turn the other cheek."

Solidarity — unity or agreement of feeling or action among individuals or groups, demonstrated when Christians support their persecuted brothers and sisters globally.

Core concepts

Biblical foundations for responding to persecution

The Christian response to persecution is rooted in Scripture, which provides both warnings about persecution and guidance on how to respond.

Jesus's teachings on persecution:

• In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10), framing persecution as something to be expected and even celebrated.
• Jesus instructed his followers to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44), establishing non-retaliation as the Christian standard.
• He warned his disciples: "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20), preparing believers for inevitable suffering.

Paul's teachings:

• Romans 12:14 states "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse," reinforcing Jesus's message of non-violent response.
• 2 Timothy 3:12 declares "everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," normalising persecution as part of Christian experience.

The example of early Christian martyrs:

• Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7), prayed for his persecutors as he was stoned: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
• Peter and John, when flogged and ordered to stop preaching, "left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41).

These biblical precedents establish that Christians should respond to persecution with faith, prayer, forgiveness, and continued witness rather than violence or revenge.

Historical examples of Christian persecution and response

Understanding historical persecution helps students recognise patterns of response that continue today.

Early Church (1st-4th centuries):

• Roman emperors, including Nero and Diocletian, executed thousands of Christians for refusing to worship Roman gods.
• Christians responded by continuing to meet secretly (in catacombs), maintaining their faith despite death threats.
• Many became martyrs rather than commit apostasy, believing "to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
• The witness of martyrs actually strengthened the Church—Tertullian famously stated "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

Reformation period (16th-17th centuries):

• Both Catholics and Protestants were persecuted depending on which group held political power in different regions.
• English Catholics faced persecution under Elizabeth I; many priests conducted secret Masses in hiding (priest holes).
• Protestant martyrs like the Marian martyrs in England died rather than renounce their beliefs.

20th-century totalitarian regimes:

• Under Soviet communism, churches were destroyed, clergy imprisoned, and believers discriminated against.
• Many Christians practised their faith underground through secret worship services.
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor, resisted Nazi persecution of Jews and was executed in 1945, exemplifying active resistance based on Christian principles.

Contemporary persecution of Christians

Modern persecution remains a serious issue in WJEC GCSE Religious Education exams, requiring knowledge of current examples.

Geographic hotspots:

• North Korea: Christians face labour camps or execution if discovered; worship only occurs in complete secrecy.
• Middle East: ISIS targeted Christians in Iraq and Syria (2014-2017), destroying churches and forcing conversion or death.
• Nigeria: Boko Haram has killed thousands of Christians and burned churches.
• China: increased restrictions since 2018, with church demolitions and arrests of pastors.
• Pakistan: blasphemy laws disproportionately affect Christians, and church bombings occur.

Forms of modern persecution:

• Physical violence (murder, assault, rape)
• Destruction of property (church bombings, homes burned)
• Legal discrimination (restricted employment, education access)
• Forced conversion
• Social ostracism
• Imprisonment for faith activities

How individual Christians respond to persecution

Christian responses operate on multiple levels, from personal to institutional.

Continuing witness despite danger:

• Many Christians choose to remain in dangerous areas to maintain a Christian presence and serve local communities.
• Underground churches in China and North Korea continue meeting despite severe punishment risks.
• Evangelism continues even where illegal, following Peter's declaration: "We must obey God rather than human beings" (Acts 5:29).

Accepting martyrdom:

• Some Christians refuse to deny their faith even when facing death, seeing martyrdom as the ultimate witness.
• The 21 Coptic Christians beheaded by ISIS in Libya (2015) refused to renounce Christ.
• This follows Jesus's teaching: "whoever loses their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).

Fleeing persecution:

• Many Christians become refugees, fleeing areas where their lives are threatened.
• This has biblical precedent—Jesus's family fled to Egypt to escape Herod, and Paul escaped persecution multiple times.
• Syrian and Iraqi Christians fled ISIS, creating large refugee populations in neighbouring countries and Europe.

Practising faith secretly:

• In highly restrictive countries, Christians worship in secret house churches.
• They may conceal their faith publicly while maintaining private devotion.
• This allows faith preservation when open practice would mean death.

How the Church collectively responds to persecution

The institutional Church mobilises resources and advocacy to support persecuted Christians worldwide.

Prayer and spiritual support:

• Churches worldwide hold prayer vigils for persecuted Christians.
• The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (November) mobilises millions globally.
• Many denominations include prayers for the persecuted in regular Sunday services.
• This fulfils the biblical command to "remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison" (Hebrews 13:3).

Advocacy and awareness campaigns:

• Open Doors International publishes the annual World Watch List, ranking countries by persecution severity.
• Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) advocates for religious freedom at the United Nations and with governments.
• Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) produces reports documenting persecution and lobbies for policy changes.
• Churches pressure their governments to make foreign aid conditional on religious freedom improvements.

Practical support and aid:

• Christian charities provide financial assistance to persecuted believers (medical care, legal fees, rebuilding homes/churches).
• ACN has funded church reconstruction in Iraq and Syria post-ISIS.
• Organisations smuggle Bibles into restricted countries.
• Refugee support programmes help displaced Christians resettle.

Ecumenical solidarity:

• Different denominations unite to support persecuted Christians regardless of denominational differences.
• Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches collaborate through the World Council of Churches.
• Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury have jointly condemned persecution of Christians.

Theological and ethical considerations

Students must evaluate different response strategies using Christian principles.

Arguments for non-violent response:

• Jesus explicitly taught non-retaliation and love for enemies.
• Early Christians' peaceful response demonstrated faith and won converts.
• Violence contradicts the nature of God's kingdom, which is "not of this world" (John 18:36).
• Suffering produces perseverance and character (Romans 5:3-4).

Arguments for active resistance:

• Christians have a duty to protect the vulnerable and oppose injustice.
• Bonhoeffer argued that turning away from evil is itself evil; sometimes active resistance is required.
• The Bible contains examples of resistance (Hebrew midwives defying Pharaoh, Daniel refusing to stop praying).
• Allowing persecution to continue unchallenged enables greater evil.

The debate over fleeing versus staying:

• Staying maintains Christian witness and serves local communities who depend on the Church.
• Fleeing preserves Christian lives and allows witness elsewhere; Jesus himself fled danger.
• Some argue staying shows greater faith; others note that unnecessary martyrdom doesn't honour God if other options exist.

Worked examples

Example 1: AO1 Question (5 marks)

"Describe how Christians might respond to persecution." (5 marks)

Model answer:

Christians may respond to persecution through continued worship despite danger, meeting in secret house churches where public worship is banned, as happens in North Korea and parts of China. They might follow Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5:44 to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," responding with forgiveness rather than violence. Some Christians choose martyrdom rather than denying their faith, as the 21 Coptic Christians did when killed by ISIS in 2015, seeing this as the ultimate witness. Christian organisations like Open Doors and Christian Solidarity Worldwide advocate for persecuted believers by raising awareness and lobbying governments. Churches worldwide offer practical support through prayer, financial aid, and refugee assistance programmes, fulfilling Hebrews 13:3 to "remember those in prison."

Mark scheme notes: This answer scores full marks because it provides five distinct responses with development and examples. Each response includes either a biblical teaching or contemporary example.

Example 2: AO2 Question (15 marks)

"Violence is never an acceptable Christian response to persecution." Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer.)" (15 marks)

Model answer structure:

Arguments supporting the statement (6-7 marks worth):

• Jesus explicitly taught non-violence: "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39) and commanded followers to love enemies and pray for persecutors.
• Early Christian martyrs like Stephen chose death over violent resistance, and their witness strengthened the Church (Tertullian: "blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church").
• Paul wrote "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14), establishing non-retaliation as normative.
• Violence contradicts Jesus's teaching that his kingdom is "not of this world"—Christians should trust God's justice rather than take revenge.
• Contemporary example: many Chinese Christians continue peaceful worship despite persecution rather than armed resistance.

Arguments against the statement (6-7 marks worth):

• Some Christians argue defending innocent lives may require force—protecting children or vulnerable people from persecution could be an act of love.
• Bonhoeffer's example: he participated in the plot against Hitler, arguing that allowing evil to continue unchecked is itself sinful.
• The Bible includes examples of justified resistance (Hebrew midwives defying Pharaoh's genocide order in Exodus 1).
• Distinction between aggressive violence and defensive protection—using necessary force to prevent greater harm may align with Christian ethics.

Conclusion (2-3 marks worth):

• Personal justified view showing awareness of complexity—e.g., "While Jesus's teaching clearly prioritises non-violent response and the witness of peaceful endurance has proven powerful throughout Christian history, extreme situations where innocent lives are at immediate risk may create ethical dilemmas where Christians disagree on whether defensive action is permissible."

Example 3: AO1 Question (8 marks)

"Explain Christian teachings about how to respond to persecution, with reference to sources of wisdom and authority." (8 marks)

Model answer:

Christians believe persecution should be met with continued faith rather than abandoning belief. Jesus warned "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20), preparing followers for inevitable suffering. The Beatitudes teach "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness" (Matthew 5:10), framing persecution positively as leading to heavenly reward. Jesus commanded "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44), establishing non-violent, forgiving response as the standard.

The Apostle Paul reinforced this teaching: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14), and taught that "everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12), normalising suffering as part of Christian experience. The example of early martyrs demonstrates these teachings in practice—Stephen prayed "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" as he was stoned. Peter and John rejoiced after being flogged "because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41). These sources teach that persecution should strengthen faith, produce forgiveness toward persecutors, and continue witness to Christ rather than causing Christians to abandon or hide their faith.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Mistake: Writing vaguely about "Christians help each other" without specific organisations or methods. Correction: Name specific organisations (Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Aid to the Church in Need) and describe concrete actions like advocacy, financial support, Bible smuggling, and refugee assistance.

• Mistake: Claiming all Christians believe martyrdom is always required or that all oppose fleeing persecution. Correction: Acknowledge diversity—some Christians prioritise staying as witness, others believe fleeing preserves life for future service. Both have biblical precedent (Paul fled Damascus; Jesus's family fled to Egypt).

• Mistake: Failing to link responses to biblical teachings or using biblical quotes without explanation. Correction: Always connect practical responses to the theological basis. For example: "Christians pray for persecutors because Jesus commanded 'pray for those who persecute you' (Matthew 5:44)."

• Mistake: Only discussing historical persecution without contemporary examples. Correction: WJEC examiners expect current examples. Reference recent events in North Korea, Nigeria (Boko Haram), China's church restrictions, or ISIS persecution of Middle Eastern Christians.

• Mistake: Confusing persecution with general suffering or hardship. Correction: Persecution specifically means suffering because of religious identity. Distinguish this from natural disasters, illness, or other forms of suffering.

• Mistake: In evaluation questions, presenting only one viewpoint or failing to show "more than one point of view" as required. Correction: Structure answers with clear "some Christians believe..." and "however, other Christians argue..." paragraphs, supporting each view with biblical or theological reasoning.

Exam technique for "Practices in Christianity: persecution, suffering and the Church — responses to persecution"

• AO1 questions (Describe/Explain) assess knowledge. For 5-mark questions, provide five distinct points with brief development. For 8-mark questions, give fewer points but with fuller explanation and explicit reference to "sources of wisdom and authority" (biblical quotes, Church teaching). Always name specific examples—organisations, events, biblical figures—rather than writing generally.

• AO2 questions (Evaluate/Discuss/"To what extent") require balanced arguments. The command word "Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view" explicitly requires presenting and supporting multiple perspectives. Allocate roughly equal time to arguments supporting and challenging the statement. Conclude with a reasoned judgment that weighs the arguments presented. Reference both biblical teachings and contemporary examples in evaluation.

• Mark allocation patterns: In 15-mark evaluation questions, roughly 6-7 marks available for each viewpoint, with 2-3 marks for a developed conclusion showing personal reasoning. In "explain" questions, marks awarded for depth (explaining why/how) not just breadth (listing facts). Two well-explained points typically score better than five superficial points.

• Key command words: "Describe" requires factual account; "Explain" requires reasons/causes/purposes; "Evaluate/Discuss" requires weighing arguments. Respond precisely to what the question asks—don't write everything you know about persecution generally if asked specifically about Church responses.

Quick revision summary

Christians respond to persecution based on Jesus's teaching to love enemies and pray for persecutors (Matthew 5:44). Historical and contemporary examples show varied responses: accepting martyrdom as ultimate witness (Stephen, Coptic martyrs killed by ISIS), continuing worship despite danger (secret churches in North Korea/China), fleeing to safety (Syrian Christian refugees), and non-violent resistance (Bonhoeffer). The Church collectively responds through prayer (International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church), advocacy organisations (Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Aid to the Church in Need), practical support (financial aid, Bible smuggling, refugee assistance), and ecumenical solidarity across denominations. Biblical precedent establishes non-violent response as normative, though some debate exists about defensive action to protect innocent lives.