Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II, Walter Sawatsky, 1981

orce of darkness.*° The Wurmbrand position confirms the charges So- viet writers such as Belov and Shilkin make that religion is the servant of reactionary capitalism. In Wurmbrand’s world-view, genuine Christians in the Soviet Union 406 Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II can only be those who are suffering. Those who are not apparently suffering such as the AUCECB leadership must obviously be tools of the political police. Wurmbrand is not particularly concerned if his public pronounce- ments will result in increased pressure on Soviet Christians. That, after all, gives them an opportunity to witness to their faith. 5. Fund-Raising and Image-Building in the West. At present there is intense competition between East European organizations as well as com- petition with faith missions generally for the financial donations from Western Christians. It is a market situation, where the organization which can package its wares most attractively receives the most money. Thus there is an in-built motivation to highlight persecution in the Soviet Union and to dramatize the way the mission is helping. As a general rule, the less a mission publicizes its program and achievements, the more effective its work will be in the long run. That is one problem where a relationship of trust between organization and its constituency of supporters would be very helpful. The other problem is the black-and-white image that has developed about life iri the Soviet Union. Wurmbrand in particular insists that in a battle situation one can have only friends and enemies and therefore one plays into the enemy’s hands if one acknowledges complex nuances, draws attention to gray areas. This mentality therefore enables him to falsify data in order to make his point come across more strongly. After all, the com- munists also falsify the data. The reason why I am relying so heavily on Wurmbrand for illustrative material is that his writings are predominant in the religious bookstores of America and Europe, which means that the majority of concerned Chris- tians have formed their image of Christians in the Soviet Union through his influence and distortions. Courageous bookstore owners could counter this by giving the more balanced and responsible literature greater prominence on their shelves even if this reduces sales volume. A further disturbing feature is the Wurmbrand tendency to dismiss all criticism as communist provocation. Regularly his journal prints abusive re- marks about other churchmen who have criticized him. Paul Hanson, Eu- ropean Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, who advised Chris- tians against supporting the mission smugglers, was threatened with slander charges. Robert Denny of the Baptist World Alliance was described as a “church leader unstable in faith.” Billy Graham was attacked for claiming full religious freedom in Poland, which is not exactly what Graham said.5!