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Christianity Today, March, 2008 |

Bearing the Silence of God

A Turkish theologian finds the image of Christ in the persecuted church.

Ziya Meral | posted 3/19/2008 10:53AM

I must admit, I am no heavenly man! Unlike most other Muslim-background believers, there is nothing supernatural to tell about how I came in touch with Christians or decided to be one.

On the contrary, ...

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Michael

Posted: March 30, 2008 9:56 PM


Ziya, thank you for your articulate and creative expression about life for Christ followers in Turkey and other places that suffer real persecution. Together with others, I have been serving the evangelical community of Turkish churches for many years. I believe we have some friends in common. Your former home group members are proud of you and miss you.

tom	Posted: March 29, 2008 10:24 AM


Ziya. Well done. I believe this will lead lots of people to pray in a more informed and earnest way for our brothers and sisters who have paid such a great cost. I want to encourage you to keep on in the work God has given you. May He continue to give you sensitive and articulate words to give voice to those who have none.

Dave Herman

Posted: March 27, 2008 9:28 AM


How desperately the American church needs to be taught from Ziya Meral and people like him! May the Lord have mercy on us for loving our life in the world more than carrying the cross for Him!

Tim	Posted: March 26, 2008 11:30 PM

The privilege of suffering, failure, fear, loneliness, rejection, financial brokenness is not only given to Persecuted Church but all Christians. Mother Teresa suffered "Dart Night of the Soul" as I have been. It's a shared privilege, because when I am weak, I am strong. I would be honored, privileged and forever grateful If I would be able to travel over 10 countries for a thesis; study in Philippians and England's one of the best schools like you did, naturally I would go broke as a result (He who gathers in summer is a prudent son. Prov.10:5). We attract according to our character (Boundaries in Dating book) and learn by practice. Some suffering needs to be death in person along with Christ; and some shared so that we can grow in Christ. I have been praying for bros and siss in Turkey. Grass on the other side (Western World) is not green but it is plastic green. The heavenly grass is the best one that we all yearn for it. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart!.Jesus

Matthew Benage

Posted: March 26, 2008 6:53 AM


Hello!! I am a Christian student studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Over Passover break I will be making a venture to Turkey. I would love to meet up with Ziya if possible. My email address is matthewjbenage@student.cofo.edu. If there is anyway to make this happen, I would be so grateful.

Richard Hoover

Posted: March 25, 2008 11:36 PM

My dear brother in the Lord. Thank you so much for expressing so passionately the purposes of God's silence. I am a missionary to the people of Brazil. I was raised here and have now spent over 40 years of my life in this country. Though I, at times, become discouraged at the lack of spiritual development among believers and myself, still I hang on tenaciously to my faith, for I know that I know there is no other way. You have encouraged me greatly. If you can endure the hardships and silences of God in your country and ministry, I can surely do the same where I live and minister.

Pedro J. M. Bianco

Posted: March 25, 2008 9:50 AM

It would be amazing how wonderfully brother Ziya Meral grasps the very center of the Gospel if it weren't for his clear true Christian life and faith in our Lord and God Jesus Christ. That really clears where does his totally biblical vision come from and truly encourages us to follow along. I praise our God and Father for your life and pray that you, dearest brother in Christ, may be now and always strenghthened in your inner man and be kept safe and healthy to go on testifying, not only you but all the one's you love and have fellowship with. May the Lord bless you and your ministry, and also answers everyone of your prayers according to His mighty grace, power and wisdom. In Jesus Name, amem.

Es	Posted: March 24, 2008 12:09 AM

thank you ziya for letting us know how christians of muslim background must feel when they choose to follow and obey even when God and the greater world church appear to be silent and not caring. as a result of this article, i will ask our small group to remember you and other muslim followers of Christ. we will not forget you or your suffering. we will pray faithfully for you that God will grant all the strength, courage, and resources you need to keep following and obeying.

Konrad in Huntington Beach

Posted: March 23, 2008 9:28 AM


Pointed, calling us to recognize the work and hand of God in adversity.

Robert

Posted: March 21, 2008 7:21 AM


Very timely reminder. Your piece stands as a recalibration for our deepest goal as followers of our Lord. That is to be like Him. Your piece reminds me of this singular purpose that exceeds all others. In fact it really does minister hope to my soul in that God is with me the most when I may "feel" Him the least, that is in my struggles and setbacks. Thankyou

A.Yeshuratnam, Trivandrum, India.

Posted: March 21, 2008 6:31 AM

Christians are persecuted by Muslims and Hindus. Islam is based on false revelation, false ideology and false promise. Mohammed's life long ambition to be regarded as a prophet was rejected by the Jews of Mecca. He knew from Christianity that angel Gabriel appeared before St.Mary to announce the birth of Christianity. So, Mohammed told his relatives, neighbors and a large retinue of slaves that angel Gabriel appeared before him to announce that Allah was the only God and Mohammed was a prophet. All the precepts of Islam were borrowed from Judaism and Christianity. People who died for Islam were promised Paradise . Mohammed could establish his power in the Arabian region because of the wealth he had plundered from merchants. Hindu gods are mythological characters.Mohammed had a dozen wives of various ages. Hindu god Krishna had sixteen thousand one hundred and eight consorts. Both Muslims and Hindus are not prepared for a free and frank discussion fearing exposure. So the persecution

Wes Hagen

Posted: March 20, 2008 11:22 AM

An articulate statement of how God works. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdon to know the difference." Praying for God to do this, that and the other thing is to settle for LESS that his will for us. Ziya, I will pray that you will have serenity, courage and wisdom. You also have my respect and I salute you. To God be the glory, Amen

Glenn

Posted: March 20, 2008 11:19 AM


As a "Voice Volunteer" for Voice of the Martyrs, I eagerly read this testimony. Thank you for your insight into God's work--personally and globally. I especially appreciate your observation that God's silence does not mean his absence. Thank you too for your faithfulness to our Master.

psk	Posted: March 20, 2008 9:41 AM


I was deeply moved by ziya meral. this is timely inspirational and edifying in the time of our lord's suffering for us all. thank you so much for a wonderful and touching article.

Laverne

Posted: March 20, 2008 12:18 AM


What a beautiful witness to God's power and to Ziya's openness to the Spirit.

TP	Posted: March 19, 2008 11:05 PM

CONGRATULATIONS CT!! for finally printing something worth reading. ZIYA--Be of good courage!! From your words, you are far richer than 99% of all American Christians and I applaud you 100% for speaking from the heart a treasure to be kept--wisdom & comfort. True agape for our Lord is taking up our cross and following Him & that has become the lost message of the church. May God's grace be multiplied to you!!

Shaddia

Posted: March 19, 2008 4:05 PM

Amazing testimony!!! I am a exmuslim girl 29 y.o, I met Jesus through a vision when I was 14 y.o and I did not understand his words at that time. Two years later (1998) I become christian and I told my family that. I was under persecution 9 years, it was so hard for me, my family rejected me and tried to kill me 4 times, people use to spite on my face, my parents beated me everyday for almost 10 years. Despite of that I am still the only one christian in the family is so wonderful the way that Jesus is healing my heart and I have faith that he some day will reach out my family. I feel so close to this article!!! God bless u! 8

Jambok klink

Posted: March 19, 2008 3:22 PM


The writer misses the point of "ETRENAL LIFE" simply trust in john 3:16 Go to the full name of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST> Analysis each title. Paul was looking forward to heaven . I am too. This satisfies my 81 years and I look up.

Greg Chase

Posted: March 19, 2008 3:01 PM

Wonderful article! The obedience of faith is not based on sight but on God's promises in the face of looking like God has abandoned us. The good life is coming but it is not now. It is that city that we seek where all will be made right and the Father will say, "Well done, faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord." In the era of instant gratification the glorification of the believers seems too remote. "Should we be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prise and sailed through bloody seas?" God Bless you, Ziya!

RJR_fan

Posted: March 19, 2008 2:28 PM

Since reading a CT article in 1977 that described Turkey as "the world's largest unevangelized nation," I've had in interest in Ziya's homeland. When I began praying for the Turks, there were approximately one missionary and one Muslim-background Christian for every million Turks. In the decades since, that number has grown from 50 to several thousand converts. I've been studying Turkish for several years, aided by native speakers here on tourist visas, and cherish our family's friendship with these people. Although I intend to visit and perhaps teach a semester in Turkey, I can probably do more for the gospel right here. I am also pursuing a doctorate in communication research, and gearing up to write a dissertation that will serve as a bridge to Turkish folks.

Dan	Posted: March 19, 2008 1:37 PM


Ziya, thank you for your deeply spiritual insights into God's plan for the church to become the incarnation of Christ even in suffering. As a true followers of Christ we must suffer long while daily living out a truth that most reject. This is not an abnormal Christian life this is the normal Christian life.

LARRY D.

Posted: March 19, 2008 1:27 PM


EXCELLENT!ZIYA, I WOULD SAY GOD HAS SPOKEN TO YOU,THROUGH HIS WORD,OR CIRCUMSTANCES.AGAIN,EXCELLENT!

Rich of NYC

Posted: March 19, 2008 12:37 PM

Such a beautiful yet profound reflection. How great is faith when even in the face of persecution and rejection you still hold dear to your faith. I find it interesting in the questioning of belief as I suffer from this every so often. I mean, you know the truth yet you do otherwise. It pains me. Do I become acceptable to the masses or truly follow my heart. I think many have been faced with this dilemma. I admire Ziya and smile as a thought of his image enters my head, showing an empty fist full to show his faith. I pray for those Christians and anyone persecuted for their beliefs in the Middle East, India, China, and other places. Theirs is a strength many do not know. In my talsk with old friends, I find Islam much like my old catholic upbringing. A lot of religion and rules, less spirituality. Being a RELIGION of tolerance, you would think they'd be more open to other faiths. I mean Arabs can arguably be the original indigineous Christians. I find it sad. Ziya, may God be with u.

Becca

Posted: March 19, 2008 12:25 PM


This article truly touched my heart and helped me to understand what Muslims who convert to Christianity endure.

Ike	Posted: March 19, 2008 11:40 AM


This wonderful piece touched me. I pray for the persecuted church regularly. This piece will add strength to my prayers.

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