On a more serious note today, here’s a good quote. It is a weird one, though, because it comes from John Piper’s Desiring God, and he quotes George Ortis in his book. I could just give the George Ortis book, but whatever …
“George Ortis shocked many at the second Lausanne Congress on World Evangelism in Manila in 1989 when he asked, ‘Is our failure to thrive in Muslim countries owing to the absence of martyrs? Can a covert church grow in strength? Does a young church need martyr s?’ Fittingly, he concludes in his book, The Last of the Giants, with a chapter entitled ‘Risky Safety’:
‘Should the church in politically or socially trying circumstances remain covert to avoid potential eradication by forces hostile to Christianity? Or would more open confrontation with prevailing spiritual ignorance and deprivation — even if it produced Christian martyrs — be more likely to lead to evangelistic breakthroughs? Islamic fundamentalists claim their spiritual revolution is fueled by the of martyrs. Is it conceivable that Christianity’s failure to thrive in the Muslim world is due to the notable absence of Christian martyrs? And can the Muslim community take seriously the claims of a Church in hiding? … The question is not whether it is wise at times to keep worship and witness discreet, but rather how long this may continue before we are guilty of “hiding our light under a bushel” … The record shows that from Jerusalem and Damascus to Ephesus and Rome, the apostles were beaten, stoned, conspired against and imprisoned for their witness. Invitations were rare, and never the basis for their missions.’”
Now, I do not specifically feel called to the Muslim world, and it is easy to simply sit in our comfort and agree with these statements … but I do sense a great truth here. While we seek to understand and befriend the Muslim community, will it truly take those who are willing to die for their faith to bring the Arab world to the feet of Christ? Historically, and according to the Bible, this seems to be true.
Peace.
Is his last name Ortis or Otis? George Otis Jr. is with the Sentinal Group, which tracks worldwide transformation through the power of God, and has put out the Transformation videos. I wonder if it is the same guy, or perhaps his father.