BOOK REVIEW: The Global War on Christians by John L. Allen Jr.

I wish I would have never used the phrase “eye-opening” before in my life.  I could have used it for the first time to describe The Global War on Christians by John L. Allen Jr. and it wouldn’t sound so tired and cliché.  Unfortunately, I just have to say it: this book is heart-breakingly eye-opening.

Allen tells story after story (after story) of those Christians who are being tortured, imprisoned, mistreated, and killed for their Christian faith in every conceivable corner of the globe.  Part One of the book is essentially a list of injustices toward Christians organized by global region.  Many of the stories are only a few months old, told with a “breaking news” urgency.  Part Two is entitled “Myths about the Global War on Christians,” and many of Allen’s arguments against particular myths are illustrated by still more stories of martyrs.  Frankly, it’s overwhelming to read.  Allen is direct.  He doesn’t sugarcoat and he doesn’t sensationalize.  He just reports.  And my heart broke over and over for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering.

Being the senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, Allen has an understandably Catholic bent.  He mentions the Vatican on multiple occasions, although not always in positive, glowing terms.  Many of the stories of those persecuted are nuns, priests, and friars.  However, Allen is aware of this bias, and he includes many stories of Protestant martyrs from a variety of denominations.  One of the greatest takeaways for me was an encouragement by Allen in Part Three to think globally and ecumenically about the Church, and my faith.  I realized how westernized my view of the church really is.  Allen speaks of the “ecumenism of the martyrs:” their ability to restore the unity of the Christian Church through their suffering.

Allen also makes several other excellent points in Part Three, entitled “Fallout, Consequences, and Response.”  He discusses the ability of the suffering Christians to prompt theological breakthroughs, and Christianity as a pro-democracy force in those areas it is persecuted.  Allen takes this issue in directions never before probed.  Church leaders will finds his thought challenging, and perhaps even provocative.  But shouldn’t good journalism be provocative, especially in the service of such an important issue?

I found this book challenging on a variety of levels: it was personally, spiritually, theologically, and professionally challenging for me.  I agree with Allen that this is THE issue facing the global church in the 21^st century.  It will refine and re-define us in so many ways.  But, most importantly, the Christians of the West must begin to take notice of our suffering brothers and sisters and be compelled to take action.  This book is that call to take notice and take action, as it’s back cover contains only the words, “It’s Time To Wake Up.”  I am awake now.