Tortured for Christ is an autobiographical account of the life of Richard Wurmbrand while he lived in communist Romania. The book was written more than 30 years ago and is approximately 170 pages long with 7 chapters. Some of the chapters were added for the 30 year anniversary rerelease of the book (I think).
I have mixed feelings about the book because on the one hand the man’s theology isn’t very biblical but it’s not a theology book. There are things that he says that seem to go a little too far. For example on page 15 he speaks about American Christians needing to “atone” for national sins. That seems to go too far and I can’t accept that at all. He also seems, at times, to be a bit bitter. Some of the things he says about American or English Christians and/or churches seems harsh (you can read and make up your own mind).
But on the other hand the author does do a good job at times of refocusing us on things that are truly important. He speaks of being tortured for years and praying and loving his torturers and speaking to them about Christ in hopes that they might come to know Jesus. He says that we are to love the sinner but hate the evil.
On page 51 the author says: “The value of Bibles smuggled in by these men cannot be understood by an American or an English Christian who ‘swims’ in Bibles.” That truly is something to ponder. We live in a place that has an abundance of Bibles and many people own more than one and yet we tend to be illiterate when it comes to the Bible. So he does make good points and has given me a lot to think about.
In the end this book is not recommended for its theology, it’s not a theology book but I do recommend every Christian read it for its eyewitness account of what one man went through and saw as a persecuted Christian in a communist controlled country. You really will do well to read this book and perhaps make it a habit to read even once a year a book on martyred Christians to help keep in perspective what is really important.
