From the stoning of Stephen in the first-century Jerusalem to Nigerian Christians persecuted by Boko Haram in 2015, these stirring accounts will inspire greater faithfulness to the way of Jesus, reminding believers what costly discipleship looks like in any age.  Bearing Witness brings together dozens of accounts from around the world of Christians who gave witness to their faith in the face of intense persecution, even if it costs them their lives.

“If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For those who want to save their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”
– Jesus of Nazareth

In selecting stories for this book, the editors focused on Anabaptist martyrs and others who suffered for their commitment to a believer’s baptism and nonviolence.

Charles E. Moore has complied and edited several acclaimed books and Timothy Keiderling is a researcher for the Bearing Witness Stories Project.

Our Review

I have to admit, I was astonished at the amount of martyrs that there have been since Jesus’ time. I had no idea that so many people gave their lives for what they believed in. From the early Christians to recent witnesses – all have suffered at the hands of man for their religious beliefs. These martyrs witness to the masses at the possibility of nonviolence and love of one’s enemy even in the most extreme circumstances. They call us to a life of compassion and humility, while reminding us that non-resistant love is not likely to be rewarded here on earth, but in our heavenly home.

A report issued in 2012 by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimates that in the twentieth century alone, around 45 million Christians “lost their lives prematurely, in a situation of witness, as a result of human hostility.” That’s a lot of people when you sit right down and think about it. Their stories are shared within the pages of this book.

Now for the Giveaway!

My apologies for the late start to this giveaway. I had multiple seizures over the weekend and did not get the giveaway posted on Saturday as planned. The giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada age 18 and older. Giveaway ends at 6PM EST on May 31, 2016.

Disclosure: In accordance with the FTC Guidelines Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, we would like to thank Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing the prize for this giveaway. Choice of winner(s) and opinions are 100% my own and not influenced by monetary compensation. I have received a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. If you have won a prize from Propeller / FlyBy Promotions within the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner(s) are subject to eligibility verification. Winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest, or any other social media outlet. All entries are optional unless otherwise indicated. Any entries that are mandatory will be clearly marked as such. Contact kimatliah@gmail.com if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.

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