Christian Figures who were Rejected for their Faith

[AlexB23]

Hello folks. Who is an example of a Christian historical figure who was rejected or blackballed by the world to fulfill God’s mission instead of their own desires? Let this thread be a list of Christians who were rejected by society because of their faith in God. These figures can be Biblical, saints, Christians from the past few centuries or even more modern day Christian figures.

I will start: Martin Luther King Jr. (mid-20th century)

Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights leader and Baptist minister was a Christian historical figure who experienced rejection and fulfilled God's mission despite facing obstacles. Throughout his career, King advocated for racial equality and social justice through nonviolent means, inspiring millions of people around the world.

However, King also faced fierce opposition from those who opposed his message of unity and equality. He received numerous death threats, was arrested multiple times, and ultimately assassinated at the age of 39. Despite these challenges, King remained committed to his cause and believed that he was carrying out God's will. In his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, he declared, "With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."

King's unwavering commitment to justice and equality continues to inspire generations of activists and believers today, demonstrating how one person can make a profound impact on the world when they align themselves with God's purposes and remain steadfast in the face of adversity.

 

[PloverWing]

As I sit here, I'm looking at a coffee mug on which is the name of Jonathan Myrick Daniels, so I will nominate him for the list. Daniels was an Episcopal seminarian who went to Alabama in 1965 to join in the civil rights work there. From Wikipedia:

In Selma, Daniels stayed with the Wests, a local African-American family. During the next months, Daniels worked to integrate the local Episcopal church by taking groups of young African Americans to the church. The church members were not welcoming.

...

On August 14, 1965, Daniels was one of a group of 29 protesters, including members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), who went to Fort Deposit, Alabama, to picket its whites-only stores. All of the protesters were arrested. They were transported in a garbage truck to a jail in the nearby town of Hayneville. The police released five juvenile protesters the next day. The rest of the group was held for six days in a facility which lacked air conditioning. Authorities refused to accept bail for anyone unless everyone was bailed.

Finally, on August 20, the prisoners were released without transport back to Fort Deposit. After release, the group waited near the courthouse jail while one of their members called for transport. Daniels with three others—a white Catholic priest and two black female activists—walked to buy a cold soft drink at nearby Varner's Cash Store, one of the few local places to serve non-whites. But barring the front was Tom L. Coleman, an unpaid special deputy who was holding a shotgun and had a pistol in a holster. Coleman threatened the group and leveled his gun at seventeen-year-old Ruby Sales. Daniels pushed Sales down and caught the full blast of the shotgun and was instantly killed.

Source: Jonathan Daniels - Wikipedia

Jonathan Myrick Daniels' feast day in the Episcopal calendar is August 14.

 

[AlexB23]

As I sit here, I'm looking at a coffee mug on which is the name of Jonathan Myrick Daniels, so I will nominate him for the list. Daniels was an Episcopal seminarian who went to Alabama in 1965 to join in the civil rights work there. From Wikipedia:



Source: Jonathan Daniels - Wikipedia

Jonathan Myrick Daniels' feast day in the Episcopal calendar is August 14.

Hey, thank you. It seems that both Martin Luther King Jr. and Jonathan Myrick Daniels relate to a scripture from John, by Jesus Himself. Also, my prayers for Mr. Daniels for taking a blast to protect Ruby Sales.

John 5:18-19 (NIV): "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

By the way, the OP is a companion post to this devotional: Rejected by the World for our Faith


Here is another one, straight from the Biblical era: Paul the Apostle (early to mid-1st century AD)

One example of a Christian historical figure who was rejected and faced opposition in order to carry out God's mission was the apostle Paul. Prior to his conversion, Paul (who was then known as Saul) persecuted Christians and played a key role in the stoning of Stephen, one of the first Christian martyrs. However, after experiencing a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul became a devoted follower of Christ and dedicated his life to spreading the gospel.

Despite his sincere conviction and efforts, Paul faced significant rejection and hostility from both Jewish and Gentile communities. He was imprisoned multiple times, beaten, and ultimately executed for his faith. Despite these hardships, Paul considered it a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ and continued to preach the gospel with boldness and determination until the end of his life. Through his trials and tribulations, Paul remained focused on fulfilling God's plan for his life rather than pursuing his own desires.

 

[Yusuphhai]

The 20th Century Martyrs. Westminster Abbey, London.The last one is Wang Zhiming (a Miao Pastor)

Wang Zhiming (王志明) (1907 – December 29, 1973) was a Miao pastor little known outside his home in Wuding County, Yunnan, China at the time of his execution on December 29, 1973. Since then, he has received two unique honors. In 1981, he became the only Christian martyr of the Cultural Revolution to have a monument erected at his gravesite. Then in 1998, he was one of ten 20th century Christian martyrs memorialized above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey with a statue. These statues represent those who died in the name of Christ in the century marked by the greatest number of martyrdoms in the history of the church.

Wang Zhiming (Christian) - Wikipedia

Gospel catches fire in Miao minority group​

 

[Richard T]

Watchman Nee "Following the takeover of China, Watchman Nee was arrested in March 1952 for the sake of the gospel. He was falsely condemned, judged, and sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment in 1956. He died in confinement on May 30, 1972." His wife died a year or so before him, and the government did not even let him see her. The government cremated the body too before the relatives could even pick it up. Watchman was a prolific writer, his books are quite good today. His suffering was directly related to the gospel, it was not about race or even economic issues. Since secular leaders sometimes suffer, people like Antonio Gramsci (circa earlier 1900s) who went to prison for his brand of communism, or Harvey Milk (one of the earliest gay rights activists that was assassinated) the John scripture may not apply unless the prison and persecution and hate is about the gospel and not because of some social agenda. Still a great question to know who is really due honor among Christians for their service.

 

[Yusuphhai]

Watchman Nee "Following the takeover of China, Watchman Nee was arrested in March 1952 for the sake of the gospel. He was falsely condemned, judged, and sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment in 1956. He died in confinement on May 30, 1972." His wife died a year or so before him, and the government did not even let him see her. The government cremated the body too before the relatives could even pick it up. Watchman was a prolific writer, his books are quite good today. His suffering was directly related to the gospel, it was not about race or even economic issues. Since secular leaders sometimes suffer, people like Antonio Gramsci (circa earlier 1900s) who went to prison for his brand of communism, or Harvey Milk (one of the earliest gay rights activists that was assassinated) the John scripture may not apply unless the prison and persecution and hate is about the gospel and not because of some social agenda. Still a great question to know who is really due honor among Christians for their service.

The Chinese church has a complex emotional attachment to Watchman Nee （倪柝声，Nee Tuo-Sheng）. He was a theological genius who wrote many beautiful hymns and ultimately died in prison. But some people also pointed out that his theology was mixed with Han Chinese witchcraft, which had a negative impact on the Chinese church. There was also some evidence to suggest that his private life was not impeccable, and the government's accusations against him were not entirely false. The Shanghai Christian gathering place where he had close contact knew more about his insider information. However, it is still possible to appreciate his hymns of praise.

My Lord I am waiting for your coming （Chinese with English Translation）​

 

[Richard T]

The Chinese church has a complex emotional attachment to Watchman Nee （倪柝声，Nee Tuo-Sheng）. He was a theological genius who wrote many beautiful hymns and ultimately died in prison. But some people also pointed out that his theology was mixed with Han Chinese witchcraft, which had a negative impact on the Chinese church. There was also some evidence to suggest that his private life was not impeccable, and the government's accusations against him were not entirely false. The Shanghai Christian gathering place where he had close contact knew more about his insider information. However, it is still possible to appreciate his hymns of praise.

My Lord I am waiting for your coming （Chinese with English Translation）​

I googled han witchcraft and watchman Nee and found nothing. I did find this thesis which does not seem to be judgmental on Nee at all, though i have just read a couple of chapters so far. . https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7257&context=etd Of the Nee books i have read "Sit, Walk and Stand." and "Authority and Submission" both were very helpful in taking me to the next level in how to rest in God's gift, not works, and how to submit. Seems as he spent so many years in jail I have no evidence that his life was not impeccable, but yes there are criticisms about errors of most men and women of God. If you have sources though I would be happy to look at any criticism.

 

[AlexB23]

So, what other figures (from Americas, Africa, Australia, Europe or Asia, besides discussing Nee) do you guys want to add to this thread?

 

[Yusuphhai]

I googled han witchcraft and watchman Nee and found nothing. I did find this thesis which does not seem to be judgmental on Nee at all, though i have just read a couple of chapters so far. . https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7257&context=etd Of the Nee books i have read "Sit, Walk and Stand." and "Authority and Submission" both were very helpful in taking me to the next level in how to rest in God's gift, not works, and how to submit. Seems as he spent so many years in jail I have no evidence that his life was not impeccable, but yes there are criticisms about errors of most men and women of God. If you have sources though I would be happy to look at any criticism.

I have read a book by Nee (<<圣洁没有瑕疵>>，Holy and flawless) and haven't read much else. Nee enjoys using symbols and metaphors to spiritualize and interpret the Bible. He was indeed a theological genius, but I cannot trust him casually. The other two Chinese church leaders, Wang Mingdao (王明道，Sentenced to life imprisonment for faith)and Song Shangjie （宋尚节，John Song）, had a bad relationship with Nee and believed that Nee was skilled in lying. Nee's Shanghai Christian gathering place had erected at least seven "apostles". If it weren't for the government's suppression, Nee could have become a papal figure in China. Nee's important successor, Li Changshou (李常受), is often labeled as a heretic by Chinese and Taiwanese churches, so it cannot be said that Nee and Li have little to do with each other. There are some matierials criticizing Nee on Chinese websites from non-official church, and many English websites are not available to visit in China, making it difficult for me to search. I also have a complex affection for Nee. On the one hand, I think this person has great personal charm, and on the other hand, I think he may be very confusing.

Some of Nee's important colleagues, Yu Chenghua(俞成华) and Zhang Yuzhi（张愚之，was shot dead）, were martyred in persecution for faith in Jesus and are worthy of respect.

 

[AlexB23]

William Wilberforce (18-19th centuries)

One example of a 19th century Christian historical figure who was rejected by the world and chose to follow God's mission instead of his own desires was William Wilberforce. He was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade.

Wilberforce faced significant opposition and criticism throughout his career, both from those who profited from the slave trade and from others who believed that ending slavery was not practical or desirable. Despite this opposition, he remained committed to his cause and worked tirelessly to bring about its success.

Wilberforce's faith played a central role in his activism. He saw his work as part of his Christian duty and believed that it was God's will for him to fight against the evil of slavery. In his book "A Practical View of Christianity," published at the end of the 18th century, Wilberforce wrote: “true Christians consider themselves not as satisfying some rigorous creditor, but as discharging a debt of gratitude”.

In 1807, after many years of effort, Wilberforce finally succeeded in passing legislation that outlawed the slave trade in the British Empire. He continued to work for the abolition of slavery itself until his death in 1833. Throughout his life, Wilberforce remained steadfast in his commitment to following God's calling, even when it meant facing rejection and criticism from the world around him.

Source: William Wilberforce - Wikipedia

 

[Yusuphhai]

British missionary David Livingstone (1813-1873) brought the Gospel of Jesus into the heart of Africa, and his body was buried in the center of Africa, a heart that truly loved Africans. Livingstone was willing to treat African black people equally, which was not understood by many British people and had also been misunderstood by many African black people. He had a lot of first-hand information on African geography, but he regarded evangelizing African black people as his top priority. He had been advocating for the abolition of the slave trade. He carried a hunting rifle with him, but never fired a single shot at anyone when facing many dangers. Africans consider him their true friend.

 

[Rose_bud]

C. F. Beyers Naude was a white minister and theologian of the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa. He was initially a believer of racial inequality and segregation. But he started to question the biblical justification for apartheid, and the ideologies of the Church. This led him to intensively study the Bible to demonstrate that those justifications were incorrect. His discovery led him to vocally support his biblical stance and conscience using the platform afforded him as a minister. This led to his home imprisonment and revoking of priviledges. Not as brutaI as with black ministers but he planted a seed for change that targeted the conscience of Christian believers with his findings and with what he could do with his resources, he did in support of those in the struggle.