Martyrdom in Turkey (2)
20th April 2007
Martyrdom in Turkey (2)
I cannot emphasise enough the importance this event has in the spiritual history of Turkey. Never before has there been such open publicity of Christians, particularly evangelical Protestants and their missionary endeavours. My sources come from Turkish television which we receive at home by satellite, Turkish media and messages from friends and colleagues within Turkey itself.
THE MARTYRS
The results of the autopsies have been published and they make harrowing reading. It is clear that before having their throats cut, the three believers were stabbed many times in the body. We know that whatever they endured, they are now at peace and with their Lord.
The single Turkish believer’s body was taken by his parents from the hospital and given a Muslim burial yesterday. This is in spite of him having had his identity card changed from Muslim to Christian in 2005. One respected Turkish journalist commented that: “Even in death they wouldn’t allow him to be a Christian”.
The married believer will be buried in his home city of Izmir tomorrow (Saturday). His wife has been interviewed and in an article on the front page of the Sabah newspaper has publicly forgiven the killers of her husband. Pray that this reaction will demonstrate true Christianity to the Turkish population. Pray that as many believers from all over the country travel to attend the funeral that this would be a further testimony to the gospel of Christ.
Tilman, our German friend and colleague leaves behind his wife Suzanne and four children (aged 12, 9, 6 and 2). A friend reported thus: “Suzanne Geske was on TV last night, covered the whole country with her comments. She is going to stay on (in Malatya) with her four children because, `I believe that Jesus went to the cross to forgive all of our sins, and on the cross He forgave those who were taking His own life, saying, “Father forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing”. So I am going to forgive the people who took the life of my husband because, truly, they do not know what they were doing. They were fed many lies about what and who Christians are, and I am going to stay here to show them that I forgive them’. Other words followed, equally ! powerful. Equally unbelievable. Equally stirring.” Suzanne has been given permission for Tilman to be buried in Malatya. There is no Christian burial ground there, therefore special arrangements will need to be made. I believe that the funeral will take place this afternoon (Friday).
THE TURKISH BELIEVERS
There is understandably a climate of fear and uncertainty. However, a number of the leaders have called on the believers not to shrink back but to proclaim their faith.
Pray for believers as they meet in their fellowships on Sunday.
Pray for H, who is the manager of the publishing company. He has sustained much media attention and is also being asked many questions by the police. Pray that he will be filled with wisdom and courage.
The live TV press conference given by a number of the believers yesterday went very well. There were very clear statements made by those representing the Protestant evangelical believers. One leader in Ankara made it clear that the constant drip-drip of lies told by the media about Christians and missionaries has finally resulted in this bloodshed.
Remember also the foreign workers in the country. They will need to behave very carefully and with much sensitivity. There is a lot of uncertainty among them.
THE TURKISH MEDIA
At least two major dailies carried the story again on their front pages. The Hurriyet gave an account of the autopsies, revealing the horrific way in which the believers died. There were pictures of all three men and an interview with the wife of the Turkish brother, a very powerful piece, once again permeated by forgiveness in Christ.
(link to Hurriyet article: http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/6360692.asp?gid=74 )
The Radikal outlined how politicians on the left, right and the religious have over the years made Christianity and the work of its missionaries a scapegoat for many of the evils in Turkey and also an alleged threat to Turkey’s national security. This article hints at the ridiculousness of such a state of affairs.
THE POLITICIANS
Most of the politicians of all persuasions have condemned the horrific violence. They are acutely embarrassed, particularly since the victims included a German national. They are also very much aware of the effect this event may have on Turkey’s image abroad, in terms of tourism, investment and European relations, particularly as regards the path to entry into the EU.
Some politicians in opposition to the government have used this incident for their own gains, calling on the Minister for the Interior to resign. There is a fear among secularists that the policies of this government has now led to nests of fanatical Nationalist/Islamist groups all over the country and which are now out of control.
THE RELIGIOUS
The usual predictable statements have been issued by the Religious Affairs ministry. They have condemned the killings. They also said that what was done could not be done in the name of Islam because Islam is a peace-loving religion, etc, etc.
THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL
Never before in Turkey’s modern history has there been such countrywide exposure to evangelical Protestants and the gospel. We must pray that the blood of these brothers may be the seed of the next generation of the church in Turkey. This event has brought clearly to the surface the true state of tolerance or the lack of it in Turkey. Pray that the government would finally acknowledge this, recognise Turkish believers and their right to exist and ensure they enjoy the rights and protection that any other Turkish citizen is entitled to.
Submitted by Derek Malcolm
