Reviewed by: Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Introduction

Title: Tortured for Christ (50^th Anniversary Edition)

Author: Richard Wurmbrand

Publisher: David C. Cook

Publication Date: September 1, 2017

Format: Paperback

Length: 208 pages

OVERVIEW

Richard Wurmbrand knew his faith could cost him many things living in Soviet-controlled Romania. In the end, it cost him fourteen years of his life. In this book, first published in 1967, Wurmbrand details his experiences as a pastor working with Romania’s underground church during the Soviet era. He describes the torture, mind control, and other agonies he experienced in prison, as well as the oppressive measures Soviet authorities used to fight Christianity throughout the country.

Wurmbrand commented that his book “has no literary value,” and in a limited sense that’s true. He clearly wrote the book as a passionate plea to understand what persecuted Christians were experiencing under Communism, not to impress literature critics or win book awards. Some of his comments (including his references to specific Soviet news articles and officials) feel a little outdated now that the people involved are long dead and the Soviet Union dissolved. However, Wumbrand’s brutal honesty about his experience and his pleas for Christians to be brave, loving, and courageous feel just as powerful today as they did decades ago.

Whether readers view it as a historical document about past persecution, a story about grace and faith, or an argument for the church to get serious about helping underground churches, the story will move them like few other books can.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars)

5 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians interested in the history of persecution and the underground church, especially in the context of Soviet oppression against Christians.

Christian Impact

This book will rock the way readers view persecution, hope, and living for Christ.

Other Notes

Some readers may be put off by Wurmbrand’s descriptions of the mental and physical tortures he experienced.

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