Welcome Fruits Of Perestroika

In August, 1987 we commented on the early phase of Mikhail Gorbachev's "glasnost" policy - greater openness. At that time it seemed questionable whether the benefit of some concessions to dissidents would extend to those persecuted for their religious faith. Gorbachev was still calling for "a firm, uncompromising struggle against religious phenomena".

It seems he must have been gradually feeling his way against traditional opposition to more liberal views, for in 1988 he was bold enough to declare: "Believers have the full right to express their convictions with dignity. Perestroika and democratization concern them too - in full measure and without any restrictions".

As a result of this new Soviet government policy there followed an easing of restrictions on religious activities. More than five hundred church buildings were returned to religious groups in 1988. Pentecostal groups had been a particular target of repressive measures, but it is now reported that their churches are able to function without interference, and some pastors who had been imprisoned have been released.

The official Russian news agency Tass reports that in Latvia talks took place between school teachers, parents and pupils, as a result of which certain students may now study the Bible in school with a pastor teacher. The classes are for youngsters aged about 16, and are not compulsory, but they represent a break from the traditional Soviet policy of prohibiting religious education in schools. One school principal, although himself an atheist, is quoted as saying that the Bible should be studied as a monument of human thought, containing sources of culture ethics and morality, its subjects having inspired painters, writers and poets to create great works of art and literature. To us as Christian believers this is a very deficient view of Scripture in contrast to its inherent spiritual value as the living, life-giving Word of God. Nevertheless we welcome the news that young Latvians now have official agreement to the study of Scripture in school. The impact of God's Word on their hearts we may leave confidently with the Lord, the Spirit.

Even more significant is the virtually open door for the import of Bibles and New Testaments into the Soviet Union as a whole. A Bible Societies official has stated that permission to import Bibles is virtually guaranteed. There has resulted a spectacular demand for copies of the Scriptures, making it difficult for the Bible Societies to keep pace with supplies. "In the past eighteen months over two million Bibles or New Testaments have been imported, nearly twenty times more than in the previous ten years ... During the last year alone more Scriptures went into the Soviet Union than in all the years since the Revolution of 1917" (United Bible Societies' Report, July, 1989).

This remarkable transformation must surely be seen as God's response to much prayer for His working to relieve the sufferings of persecuted Christians. It is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes. Believers in the Soviet Union may well share the wonder and relief of the Psalmist who wrote:

When the Lord turned again the captivity...

We were like unto them that dream...

The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, 0 LORD, as the streams in the South (Psalm 126).

As we also give thanks for answered prayer, should we not be concerned to ask that the present opportunity may be extended under the good hand of God? There is no guarantee that present relaxations will continue indefinitely, and some evangelical leaders in Russia have emphasized the need for prayer in this respect. 'Meantime, however, God has granted this respite from religious oppression, and opened the door for the import of Bibles into Russia on a large scale. Who can measure the possible effects of God's word being more freely available to millions in that vast country? For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it (Is. 55:10,11).

Pray... that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified (2 Thess. 3:1).

unknown | Mar 1990
Focus