The Vaschenkos: Heroes or Rebels? Communist youth organization Soey sweep the streets and pick up garbage They have the worst jobs possit e-the dirtiest jobs possibie Nov. nat he is in the United States Mr Polishchuk, who gets some support from American and Canac an Christians, is dedicated to writing a book about the plight of Chris ens in Russia, and he is determined to help them emigrate How long will he keep up this campaign? Probably now for the rest of my life, he answers There are a number of organizations in the United States and elsev.here that share his determination, at least in part Among them are England's Keston College which gathers and publishes information about religious persecution in Communist Coures: the Research Center for Reliç on and Human Rights in Closed Soces. Ltd. in New York City. four ced by Blahoslav S Hruby: Evangelism of Communist Lands. fourced by Harlan Popov. Jesus to the Communist World. and others See other American churches alsc ave become quite involved on anvidual level One is the Crescent Hesbyterian Church. Selma MAY UNE 1979 Alabama, which has agreed to sponsor the 15 members of the Peter Vashcher <o family, five of whom are in the American Embassy in Moscow "We're writing sending telegrams. news releases. said Re Cecil Williamson, pastor of this southern evangelical church "Our congregation has written 5.000 letters over a period of the past six months "The Jews seem to have a much better way of getting their people out of Russia than we Christians have. he said "There just seems : be no organization to help get Christians out of Russia" There is much that free world Christians can do to help our persecuted brethrens in the Soviet Union and other Communist countries. We can become better informed. taking time to learn the issues and possible approaches to the problem. We can ask our government leaders to help We can publicize the plight c' the Soviet Christians Most importantly we can pray for the persecuted church. the imprisoned believers, the Communist leaders. and the individuals and organizations that are trying to help. Our brothers and sisters behind the Iron Curtain need our suppor: a Ed Gravely, a frequent contributor to the Logos Journal. works on the Nationa News Desk of The New York Times In June 1978 Peter Vashchenko, his family ard some friends, crashed into the American Embassy in Moscow begging for asylum and emigration. It is helpful in understanding this controversy to know that in Russia there are "registered" and "unregistered" churches. That is, some churches have submitted to limitations on their activities in return for a place to meet and official recognition of their existence. It is estimated that half the Baptist and a lesser amount of Pentecostal churches in the U.S.S.R. are registered. Peter and Argustina Vashchenko were leaders of a 300-member Pentecostal community in southern Siberia. As early as 1963 the Vashenko family clashed with government-recognized Pentecostal leaders, when they staged a demonstration at the American Embassy and charged the Soviet government with denying them "freedom to worship." The underground Pentecostal church, which is not recognized by the Soviet government and has one million adherents, has been seeking government recognition. The People's Organization of Religion Act of 1929 forced Pentecostals to become a part of the all-union Council of Christian Baptists. State-appointed Pentecostal church officials have complained that provocative and "rebellious acts of dissidence" by its own members put them in bad light with the government. The fact, however, is that in the last three years more than 20,000 Pentecostals and Baptists have openly called for permission to emigrate in order to escape religious persecution. Does this indicate that the Vaschenkos have become the standard bearers for tens of thousands of Russian Christians? The Vashchenko case complicates the debate on how to evangelize in communist countries. In σε forum the United States, ugly scandals have tainted the image of anti-communist, right-wing fundamentalist organizations. One of the largest and most visible of such organizations reportedly raised millions of dollars and kept ninety per cent of its income for "operations." Fraudulent fund-raising practices have allegedly included fake pictures and manufactured testimonies. A European missionary leader complains that American audiences don't want to be told the truth. "They want stories of torture-they demand it." What has gone unreported is the gains made by the government-registered church. In the last two years more than fifty new "Pentecostal" churches have been opened in the Ukraine. A second church is being built in Leningrad. Officially it is recognized as a Council of Christian Baptists church. but privately a member of the Council presidium assured us that this church is being built for the burgeoning pentecostal community. Are the Vashchenkos rebels? is their action an embarrassment to the state-registered Pentecostals still trying to build rapport with their government? Or are they representative of the estimated one million underground and harassed Pentecostals? How much compromise has taken place in order for the "official" Pentecostal church to be recognized? What have the "official" Pentecostal leaders had to do in order to obtain visas and visit the United States? Some ask the question, "Would a true pentecostal believer be allowed to leave the U.S.S.R. and visit America?" These pentecostal visitors insist that there is little persecution of the church. Other reports indicate that underground pentecostals, estimated to be the large majority of Russian pentecostals, are beaten, fired, imprisoned and constantly harassed for their anti-establishment ways. Whom should we believe? A Russian-appointed Pentecostal leader claims that the Vaschenko problem began prior to the 1963 American Embassy incident Pentecostal leaders told the Logos Journal they had "excommunicated Vaschenko and his people for holding 70 heretical views. Their views on marriage and divorce had something to do with it," leaders said. adding that there were "other things Pressed for the "other things." sources said there was much debate on Vaschenko's views about "whether it is right to catch a fish alive or not.” Now figure that out! Some classical Pentecostal leaders in America have accepted the official Pentecostal Church story. They insist that, in their numerous visits to the U.S.S.R., Bibles and believers thrive in an atmosphere of tolerance. The controversy still is unresolved. Are the Vaschenkos rebels, a dissident family, just causing trouble for everyone? Probably not. Probably Peter Vaschenko and his little group are only representative of their time. Saddled by Soviet government restrictions, and too liberal for a legalistic Russian Pentecostal church, Peter and others like him are no doubt serious and sincere in their quest for "freedom to worship." One U.S. Embassy worker in Moscow, in a letter to his family in the United States, wrote: Without question, the dominant event in our lives this year has been our experience with the Vaschenko and Chmykhalov families. In our judgment these are the most courageous people we have ever known. Their lives are precious beyond our ability to express. It is virtually not possible to know them without falling in love with them. While they are almost invariably referred to in the Western press as "Pentecostals" we think a better term would simply be believers. Their theology is firmly rooted in the Scriptures, the standard by which they evaluate the words and actions of men and nations. presidents, ambassadors, friends and those who wish them ill. They are exceedingly tolerant of other believers who may hold views at variance from theirs. Always for them the test for truth is Scriptures, the test for love is truth, the test for actions is love. Heroes or rebels? We will not know for sure unless the Russians let them go. One thing we can be sure of, Peter Vaschenko is gutsy. He and his friends survived a hale of Soviet persecution for years. Once inside the American Embassy they lived for two months in the lobby. The U.S. Government could not legally provide food or care. Embassy officials were struck by the scene of Vaschenko sitting for hours quietly reading his Bible, they began to share their own food and blankets with the dissidents. In September the Vaschenko group were all moved to an apartment in the Embassy. What do the Pentecostal dissidents want? "Emigration visas," they said. A State Department official stated, "We are negotiating with the Soviet Government in order to resolve this matter in the most humanitarian way possible." As of this writing the Vaschenko saga continues. They have already stayed in an American Embassy longer than any other defectors, but their case is by no means certain. No citizens or stateside Pentecostal church leaders have petitioned the U.S. Government to give them asylum. The State Department emphatically claims it is only offering "temporary refuge." The international news media is strangely disinterested. The "live in" at the American Embassy in Moscow cannot last much longer. The Vaschenkos may be turned back to Russian police and given a nice rest at one of the UGB's famous mental institutions and the truth about them will keep till the great day of the Lord. Or maybe our born-again President or his pentecostal sister will intervene and give up a few captured Russian spies to gain emigration visas for the dissidents. And who would we be getting for the Russian spies, rebels or heroes? Our suspicion is that if we ever meet them, we will have a priceless look into one of the most courageous and secretive spiritual renewals in modern history, o This article was written from reports LOGOS Smuggling BiblesIs it Right or Wrong? B rother Andrew, the Dutchman tha: title because it implied a sinful involvement with breaking the law. In his companion book, called The Ethics of Smuggling, he made this statement: "If indeed I am a smuggler, it is to do God's work among God's people with God's supplies and according to God's orders." Is he right or wrong? Are the many missions that engage couriers to cross Communist borders with large quantities of Bibles, hymnals. concordances, Gospel portions, and Bible studies producing positive results with God's affirmation and scriptural endorsement? Or are they displeasing God by clever, clandestine activities that dishonor God and adversely involve the recipients in countries where the ideology of atheism prevails? In order to comprehend some of the complexities involved in this important Issue one that more often engages emotional response rather than careful and sensitive analysis, the rationale for both sides of the argument must be understood Christians who are opposed to Bible smuggling do so on the following basis 1) Many righteous people declare that if a government forbids the import of Bibles, then Christians should obey that particular government, be it Chinese, Soviet or Albanian. This position is defended by stating that all Christians are to submit to civil and legal authorities for it is scripturally binding on all followers of Jesus Christ Romans 13 1 and 2 states. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers For there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God Whosoever therefore resisteth the power. resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation 2) Other Christians reason that the attempt to break Communist laws regarding contraband is not justified by upgrading the MAY/JUNE 1979 Says this elderly Russian, "I want my grandchildren to appreciate the Bible... It's easy in America to take it for granted." contraband They insist that the "Christian smugglers" are using the Communist ethic, namely that the end justifies the means One Christian leader stated his opposition to smuggling Christian literature into countries that ban it, on the premise that it was no different from smuggling whiskey or watches He didn't think Christians had the r "to batter the frontier of anybody else's country 3) Several Christian articles have reminded smugglers that they must declare all the goods they have upon entry into a Communist country. Not to comply completely is to deceive and to lie. 4) Other Christians are opposed to the pubiicity given to this activity, such as the publication of God's Smuggler. on the grounds that it wou'd be far better had such accounts never been told it is argued tha: embarrassed Communis: officia s initiate retaliatory continued on page 74 71 forum continued from page 71 measures, and continued exposure in magazine articles may jeopardize the Christians in those dominated lands. In Bulgaria all the Protestant pastors were pressured by Party officials who lashed out against Haralan Popov for publishing his story of suffering under that regime. 5) One criticism suggests an alternate attempt to spread the gospel, that of engaging in "open" ministries such as radio broadcasting. 6) Another argument places the burden and blame on the smugglers for weakening the position of Bible societies that are negotiating with Communist countries for open shipments of Bibles. They hasten to add that the Bible societies are opposed to these clandestine activities to the point of indignation, The six points listed above do not exhaust the arguments against smuggling held by many sincere Christian leaders, denominations and laity Among them are disturbed feelings for the type of imagery that exalts individuals and missions for their smuggling "exploits." and esteems them for "cleverly outwitting border guards" in their passionate pursuit of carrying Bibles into Communist lands Although few of those in the anti-suyuang camp contest the fact that the need for Bibles outstrips the supply. they maintain the firm conviction that Christians should operate within the limits of legitimacy in their endeavor to meet the need Cautiously, they encourage tourists to cross into Marxist Countries with one or two Bibles openly declared and in full view of the inspectors. (For the 100,000 American tourists who visit the USSR annually, inexpensive Russian Bibles may be secured from the American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway. New York City 10023) Among the advocates that champion the cause of smuggling Bibles is Richard Wurmbrand, a Lutheran minister who spent fourteen years in Romanian prisons. His disdain for those who merely debate the subject is apparent He states. "There are those who favor Bible smuggling and there are those who oppose it. And then there 74 are those who do it." Missions that deal almost exclusively in meeting the needs of the body of believers under Communist flags are numerous and the support they receive from their constituencies is generous. A few, such as the East European Mission and the Slavic Gospel Association, have admirable Recent Russian Immigrant Maria Brodsky weeps openly as she worships in her new found pentecostal fellowship. records of consistent and effective help to these brethren for almost fifty years. Among those active for about twenty years are Brother Andrew's Open Doors, George Derkatch's World Christian Ministries, LJ Bass's Underground Evangelism. Dave Benson's Russia for Christ, and Gene Dulin's Taking Christ to Millions In the last decade, phenomenal growth has accompanied both Richard Wurmbrand's Jesus to the Communist World, and Haralan Popov's Evangelism to Communist Lands. Both men left L.J. Bass to establish their own missions It is significant to note the similarities in the way our forefathers first received the printed Word The best-selling. paraphrased version of the Bible. The Living Bible, is published by Tyndale House Publishers We are indebted to William Tyndale of the sixteenth-century because this man was driven with the desire to trans:ate and publish the first complete New Was Tyndale right or wrong? Was he unethical in having the Scriptures concealed as they poured into England? Should we, who edify ourselves daily as we read our English Bibles, nevertheless apologize for the methods employed by Tyndale? Christians who favor transporting Bibles into lands that do all they can to confiscate every copy of the Scriptures or severely limit the importation to a mere token number, have answers to the objections enumerated by Christians opposed to such contraband. Their response to the six points already presented are as follows: 1) Verses 3 and 4 of Romans 13 qualify the first two verses mentioned earlier. "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid." The Bible couriers reason that although God permits evil in the world according to his providence, it does not follow that a government is righteous simply because it exists and is recognized as a sovereign state by the world. Is it then right to break the laws of Communist countries? The answer suggested is both yes and no, subject to the premise that whenever the laws of a Communist nation correspond with the law of God or do not violate the Christian conscience, they are to be obeyed. Man's law is subject to change and frequently does as governments rise and fall, whereas the divine law is unchanged regardless of the response of men to God's higher law. LOGOS Scriptural examples abound in which yalty to God is of primary mportance. There were the Hebrew midwives who spared the lives of the rale children in violation of the edict of Egypt's king (Exodus 1:15-20) The mother of Moses hid her child contrary to Pharaoh's order. Daniel Cisobeyed the royal decree by courageously continuing his habit of neeling in prayer before an open window three times daily (Daniel 6). The :nree Hebrew young men refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. even though the fiery furnace was next on the agenda for their disobedience (Daniel 3) The question is not is it egal, but who has the right to ceclare that Bibles are illegal? Besides, there is no Soviet law forbidding the importation of Bibles. One group of university students were held at Moscow's airport for almost seven hours of interrogation because of MAY JUNE 1979 Brother Andrew reminds his readers that the Norwegian Parliament regards the documented persecution of Christians behind the Iron Curtain as crimes against humanity, and appeals to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to correct this violation of the international charter 2) Is the delivery of Bibles an ethical issue or a loyalty issue? The marching orders of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20) demand top priority, even in the face of border barriers. The great commission is a teaching commission based on the Bible as its primary textbook. Jesus never said to go into all the world. except to those nations hostile to his Richard Wurmbrand, in a tract titled "Are Bible Smugglers Deceivers?", sees the probing problem in this light, "I understand the good intentions of my opponents who take the ethical Dosition "The end does not justify the means." Herewith I agree, but it is unethical to leave a country without the Word of God, when Jesus has commanded us to preach the gospel to all creation." He further reasons that no one's frontier is violated because these people are "ruled by dictators who have come to power by deceit and terror." Should their citizens miss heaven because the frontiers are closed to the Word of God? To cooperate with Marxist states by not "violating" their borders is to aid in the suppression of the gospel and obeys man rather than God. 3) The objections of many Christians seem to assume that smugglers have no choice except to lie in order to clear their Bibles at border crossings. The Soviets make visitors sign a Customs Declaration which, in its 75 |