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Christianity Today, January, 2008 |

Jesus in Turkey

After 550 years of decline, a bloodied church is being reborn.

Tony Carnes in Istanbul | posted 1/03/2008 08:41AM

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Pastor Guvener in Diyarbakir lives not too far away from Malatya, the site of the killing. He and his church's leaders were meeting to discuss the day's business. They had just finished discussing fixing a clogged toilet when their cell phones went off. Hearing the news, several leaders flashed back to an incident three years ago when a deranged man, brandishing a knife, ran into their church.

The pastors remembered how one of the Malatya martyrs, Necati Aydin, had recently portrayed Jesus in a passion play. Later, at the memorial service at Ucal's church in Istanbul, everyone wore a small picture of Aydin. The late pastor's son sang, "Jesus Loves the Little Children."

Necati's smile keeps coming to mind. Guvener said, "You should remember that God has wiped away the tears." Ucal says Jesus is walking with the Turks. "We love without fear. Something protects this country. Turkey will keep its balance."

Tony Carnes, a CT senior writer, is based in New York City.

Related Elsewhere:

Our January 2008 articles on Turkey also include a slideshow and:

Accidental Outreach | Christian leaders avoid targeting Kurds, but reach them anyway. (January 3, 2008)

A Victorious Family | A murdered pastor's family rebuilds its life. (January 4, 2008)

Justice Delayed | Security worries stall recognition of Armenian genocide. (January 4, 2008)

Inside CT: Greatness Is in Heaven (January 4, 2008)

Articles on the Malatya killings last April include:

Milking Martyrdom | Turkish Mission accused of sending false report. (September 14, 2007)

Faith Perfected | Recent martyrdoms sadden us but cannot make us despair. A Christianity Today editorial (July 12, 2007)

Young Muslims in Turkey Murder Three Christians | Deaths mark first known martyrdom of Turkish converts since founding of republic. (April 20, 2007)

From CT Liveblog: On Trial in Turkey | Malatya murder trial defense finds footing by playing to anti-missionary sentiments. Also: the roots of anti-Christian violence in Turkey. (November 30, 2007)

The BBC and the New York Times have sections with recent news and information about Turkey.

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January 2008, Vol. 52, No. 1

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 22 comments.

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David Sseppuuya

Posted: January 17, 2008 5:21 AM


I have travelled to Turkey twice from East Africa in the last five years, including last June, and I do fully appreciate the challenge of believers in that country in comparison to my part of the world. Testimonies like these ones give hope that the church will one day flourish again in the cradle of Christianity.

Sarah

Posted: January 16, 2008 1:05 PM

This article was a wonderful reminder to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19) and of how there is NO GREATER LOVE than to freely give up your life for another (Jn 15:13). The analogy of Christian martyrs to Christ, Who gave His life to save ours, reminded me that I need to share the news of this love that allows a sinner like me to share in eternal life with Jesus Christ, God the Father, and His Holy Spirit, glorious and mysterious 'Trinity'! Praise the LORD!

ZT	Posted: January 10, 2008 3:53 PM

I'm a Turkish Christian living in Turkey. Its not easy for any article to give the whole picture, this is a fair start but interviewing a wider range of people wld have been more effective. Also the murderers were nationalist extremists NOT Islamic radicals. GKC, welcome to the church, worldwide! Sure we have problems & need to mature, the issue is overcoming not avoidance (the latter will never be until Christ returns!). The church in Turkey is quite unique in that leaders from all church types across the nation come together 3-4 times a year to share and be united! We know its relationships that will get us through, not doctrines! GKC, you talk of grace but pour out judgement as if the brutal murder of these 3 gentle guys was discipline for us!! Most Turkish Christians have been believers for under 10 years, does your God rush to punish babes in Christ!? Can you pls have the grace to give us time to be renewed? Boy am I glad I look to God to discipline me and not to the 'religious'!

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