Chechnya
By Sergei Zavgorodny
Published December 1994
What Do Russian Christians Think?
Translated by Roman Medvid
Of all the conflicts the Russian Federation has suffered for several years, the Chechen conflict will be recorded in the history as the most nonsensical and unreasonable. Even during the times of coups, when the blood of citizens was being shed on the streets of Moscow, we couldn’t feel more desperate loss of courage. We couldn’t accept the murders, but we could understand the reasons. Yet, now the crisis in Russia makes all searches for the reason futile and reckons statesmen guilty for the bloodshed in Chechnya. To make things still worse, there is no definite answer to the question: What is there to be done about it?
Democracy, towards which the country has been heading with many difficulties, was trampled down by Russian tanks on their way to Grozny, the capital of the breakaway republic. This paved way to the further development in the republic: entry of armored corpses into Grozny. Ridiculous as the war of the huge country against the tiny republic may seem, Russian troops have been defeated time after time, making cannon fodder of 18-year old newly-drafted citizens who could barely handle a machine gun.
The history of Russian-Chechen clashes, which is more than 100 years old, very tellingly demonstrates that a side in the conflict should come to its senses and finish it with wisdom. It’s clear that the present political self-willfulness is only possible in a country suffering a deep spiritual crisis. Isn’t the heart of the ruler in God’s hand? We have come to a moment when no cosmetics can conceal the long-felt problems; what is needed is surgery. We know that nothing happens by chance, so we should ponder about the spiritual reasons of the conflict.
For many centuries Christianity, has been accumulating the wisdom. Now that wisdom is needed so much, the Church allows itself to be thrown into quarrels, new splits and controversies. So Christians are also to be blamed for this instability. We shouldn’t present the war in Chechnya as the holy war between Christianity and Islam. We cannot put all the blame upon politicians and military commanders, though their actions were far from being wise. We as Christians must learn a lesson from this turmoil to prevent history from repeating itself.
Pavel Savelyev, Pastor of Dew Church, Moscow, Russia, and his wife Marina
First of all, we pray that the war comes to its close. We think the consequences will be painful for the whole country. We pray for Boris Yeltsin, that God would return his prudence to him. We pray for the soldiers being killed there, whom their mothers mourn. We pray that those who are alive could survive. Our attitude to these events is as follows: forcible methods, akin to those used there, will not lead to the victory over Islam, to the victory in general. It’s important to prevent the war from growing into the second Afghanistan.
We feel very sad that a president who was elected by the people, whom we respected and for whom we prayed, allowed himself to be provoked into this action. On the 1st of February, we declared a day of prayer and fasting for President Yeltsin. In our prayers, we are trying to stretch out our hand to help him, that the Lord will keep him safe.
Vadim Uruymagov, Pastor of Christian Bible Fellowship in Kiev, Ukraine
This conflict has a long history. The fact is that relations between Russian Cossacks [military units that used to make their constant settlements in the region near the Caucasus] and Chechens were characterized by mutual hostility back in the 19th century. So I dare say, this relationship has reached its peak and has this indecent war as its outlet.
We can hardly consider this only as the clash between the two spiritual strongholds, Christianity and Islam. This idea should not be a cover-up for political pursuits, and yet Christians must see the reasons behind the conflict as between demonic forces and the power of God through the Holy Spirit. If I am to characterize the people living in the region, I would say they are hardened to the Gospel. This is a very proud and stiff-necked nation with rude traditions.
I personally perceive the spiritual reason of the conflict as God’s move to tear down strongholds that have been forming for centuries not on the basis of God’s word, the Gospel. God did permit the conflict, I should say. Yet, the conflict has been prepared socially in the form of international enmity. Here we can see obvious outbursts of chauvinism by Chechens.
The fact is that there have been many conflicts between groups of different nationalities in the region. I’m an Osetian [a Caucasian nationality], and I know of various conflicts between Osetians and Ingush [another Caucasian nationality – neighbor to Chechens]. In the 1980s, there was a major clash, which took armed forces to calm down the passions. I believe now that since strict [Soviet] political power is removed from this land, old problems are surfacing. The chauvinist attitude is being fueled by political circles in the West. The weapons that Chechens are equipped with leave no doubt about that.
In the past, the Caucasus used to be the springboard for reaching the southern countries. I think that nowadays the Caucasus is the gateway to Muslim countries for a positive invasion, as it were. So, in the outcome of this battle of ideas, minds will determine much. Christian involvement in warfare must be through prevailing prayer for the region. Forcible and political methods are not those which must be adopted by Christians. Spiritual support is of paramount importance, since not only the destiny of Chechnya and Russian-Chechen relationships is being decided there, but the future of the Caucasian region and other countries, to which the Caucasus is the gate, is being determined.
Forerunner - Home » Predvestnik - The Voice of a New Generation
Your comments are welcome!
The Real Jesus: A Defense of the Historicity and Divinity of Christ (DVD)
Who is the Real Jesus?
Ever since the dawn of modern rationalism, skeptics have sought to use textual criticism, archeology and historical reconstructions to uncover the “historical Jesus” — a wise teacher who said many wonderful things, but fulfilled no prophecies, performed no miracles and certainly did not rise from the dead in triumph over sin.
Over the past 100 years, however, startling discoveries in biblical archeology and scholarship have all but vanquished the faulty assumptions of these doubting modernists. Regrettably, these discoveries have often been ignored by the skeptics as well as by the popular media. As a result, the liberal view still holds sway in universities and impacts the culture and even much of the church.
The Real Jesus explodes the myths of these critics and the movies, books and television programs that have popularized their views. Presented in ten parts — perfect for individual, family and classroom study — viewers will be challenged to go deeper in their knowledge of Christ in order to be able to defend their faith and present the truth to a skeptical modern world – that the Jesus of the Gospels is the Jesus of history — “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is the real Jesus.
Speakers include: George Grant, Ted Baehr, Stephen Mansfield, Raymond Ortlund, Phil Kayser, David Lutzweiler, Jay Grimstead, J.P. Holding, and Eric Holmberg.
Ten parts, over two hours of instruction!
Running Time: 130 minutes
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Dr. Francis Schaeffer - How Should We Then Live? (DVD)
Special Two-Disc Set!
After 40 years of intense study and world-wide ministry, Dr. Francis Schaeffer completed his crowning work of scholarship – to present profound truths in simple film language. Dr. Schaeffer’s brilliant analysis of the past and predictions for current trends have proven so uncannily accurate that this amazing series still feels contemporary almost three decades after its initial release. Ultimately, Schaeffer concludes that man’s only hope is a return to God’s Biblical absolute, the truth revealed in Christ through the Scriptures.
Available for the first time on DVD, this documentary spectacular also includes intimate in-depth conversations with Francis and Edith Schaeffer. With the on-disc study guide, this presentation forms a unique course of comprehensive study. While this series forms an innovative analysis of the past, this outstanding work is more than history. Each episode focuses on a significant era, yet speaks clearly to 21st-century man with answers for modern problems.
$49.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
The Beast of Revelation: Identified (DVD)
Who is the dreaded beast of Revelation?
Now at last, a plausible candidate for this personification of evil incarnate has been identified (or re-identified). Ken Gentry’s insightful analysis of scripture and history is likely to revolutionize your understanding of the book of Revelation — and even more importantly — amplify and energize your entire Christian worldview!
Historical footage and other graphics are used to illustrate the lecture Dr. Gentry presented at the 1999 Ligonier Conference in Orlando, Florida. It is followed by a one-hour question and answer session addressing the key concerns and objections typically raised in response to his position. This presentation also features an introduction that touches on not only the confusion and controversy surrounding this issue — but just why it may well be one of the most significant issues facing the Church today.
Ideal for group meetings, personal Bible study — for anyone who wants to understand the historical context of John’s famous letter “… to the seven churches which are in Asia.” (Revelation 1:4)
Running Time: 145 minutes
$17.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Abortion Clinic 911 Calls
Exposes the Dangers of Abortion to Women!
These shocking eyewitness accounts expose the dangers of abortion not only to unborn children, but to the health and lives women as well. An antidote to the smokescreens of the liberal media, these six short clips show what really happens in and around abortion clinics.
Although the content is emotionally gut-wrenching, these videos have been used in church seminars and small groups to educate Christians on the abortion issue and to lead people toward a pro-life position.
Watch these pro-life videos on-line.
“These videos helped change my mind from pro-choice to pro-life. Your videos are what did it for me. I will be walking in next year’s March For Life in San Francisco.” — A. Jackson, California
“I was going to have an abortion until I saw your video. Praise Jesus!”
— M. Drew, YouTube Commenter
$9.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
The Four Keys to the Millennium (Book)
Foundations in Biblical Eschatology
By Jay Rogers, Larry Waugh, Rodney Stortz, Joseph Meiring. High quality paperback, 167 pages.
All Christians believe that their great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will one day return. Although we cannot know the exact time of His return, what exactly did Jesus mean when he spoke of the “sign of His coming” (Mat. 24)? How are we to interpret the prophecies in Isaiah regarding the time when “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:19)? Should we expect a time of great tribulation or reformation and revival before the Lord returns? Is the devil bound now, and are the saints reigning with Christ? Did you know that there are four hermeneutical approaches to the book of Daniel and Revelation? These, and more questions, are dealt with by four authors as they present the four views on the millennium. Each view is then critiqued by the other three authors.
$9.95 — ORDER NOW!
