Too Many to Jail: The story of Iran's new Christians - eBook

When I read the title of this book I thought that it was going to be a book about Christians who were being persecuted for their faith in Iran. Sort of like some I have read in the past that gave stories of individuals who had been persecuted, jailed, or martyred. It was nothing like that. This book is more of a historical account of "why" there are so many Muslims converting to Christianity. It involves alot of political people and the ideas they had, as well as Iranian traditions, and how all of that has turned many Iranian people away from the Muslim religion to Christianity.

There is a lot of facts and details, and charts about the government, politics, leaders, and the church and the rise of Christianity. One of the interesting things I learned in this book is one of the reasons why many Muslims are so against Christianity. Theirs is a religion of many rules and traditions. Women are to cover themselves. But the so called Christian nations seems to live "free" of all these rules, some in blatant defiance to such things actually participating in many things the Bible even calls sin. Some of these "Christian" nations have even cause much bloodshed in the Muslim nations or nations with a minority. Even Germany.... was to them considered a Christian nation and they were involved in the Holocaust. Even though many Americans are not necessarily Christians - we are considered to be a "Christian" nation.

The GOOD news is that when they see true Christianity is about Jesus and what He has to offer, many are coming to Christ. Those in Iran who are being saved are willing to give their lives for him. The book includes accounts of home churches and people who have been willing to suffer and sacrifice for the cause of Christ. It is awesome to see how God is working in the lives of those people and we should be compelled to pray for them diligently.

Although, this book is interesting, it may not be for all. It contains alot of detail which may be of interest to some but I myself had a little bit of a tough time with all the charts, facts, and figures. That is just not really my style. That said, don't rule out the importance of the information in this book. Our brothers and sisters in Christ need us to know what is happening behind the scenes in their country and pray for them.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher and The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

Too Many to Jail gives us a look at the Christians in Iran. Author Mark Bradley tells us that even through severe persecution that the Church in Iran is growing. The Iranians have an attraction to Jesus and they are ripe to find out who he really is. I really enjoyed his chapter on the Iranians poetry and we also get five house church stories. I am both thankful and prayerful after reading, thankful that I live in the USA and enjoy religious freedom and prayerful for the Christian brothers and sister that live in such difficulty and persecution due to whom they choose to worship. This was eye opening. I received a copy for an honest review from The Book Club Network, Inc. and the opinions are my own.

Too Many to Jail is a true account of the living conditions of our Christian brothers and sisters in Iran. What I learned was stunning. In 1979 there were 500 known Muslim Christians in Iran; the number has rapidly multiplied to over 100,000. Christianity continues to explode amongst Iranian Muslims. House churches thrive even under threat of prison, torture, and death; the underground church number is added to regularly. It is humbling to see how new and long-term Christians find nurturing for their faith within the need for secrecy, the circumstances in which the home church leaders can allow new members into their group, and the torture inflicted on those who are capturedif they survive. It is a joy to hear how the Internet and satellite TV nurture the faith of many; when one feels led to support an international ministry, it is important to keep in mind how vital the gospel translations and airings go where most Christians cannot. Ultimately, it is a joy to hear that Iranians hunger and thirst for Jesus Christ more now than ever before. There are more who are coming to faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior than what the jails in Iran could hold; they have experienced the Lord of Acts 2 and the works of the Holy Spirit and refuse to turn back.

Mark Bradley, who spent more than 20 years in Asia or in close contact with Iranian Christians, has planned this book with purpose and clarity. He shows how Christianity is currently growing, a history from 1979 to present, the house church movement, the persecutions faced, Iranian history prior to 1979, a very grim, daunting list of aggressive acts towards Christians in Iran, and the final testament of a man sentenced to death for apostasy for which there are no words except for Gods glory! He also shows why radical Muslims dislike Americans and Christians.

A couple short years ago I was humbled to learn just how valuable a Bible is in a country where Bibles and Christianity are banned; in Too Many to Jail, that point is brought home again and again. The accounts in this book have amazed me, to know that believing in Jesus is so precious to these Iranian Christians that they will face arrest, torture, and prison! Ultimately many triumph through their torture and imprisonment by knowing, truly knowing, the Lord in a deeper way than they could have on the outside.

Too Many to Jail is not a fast read. It is a book to study, to understand the history and religious culture, and to appreciate so much more what incredible freedoms we have yet in this country and to understand how we could as easily lose the precious religious freedom that we have such a tenuous hold on. I highly recommend Too Many to Jail to those who want to learn about the thirst for Christ in Iran and learn more about the history and culture. This is a valuable resource.

With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book through the For Readers Only group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

Too Many To Jail is the story of Irans New Christians who, according to the Mark Bradley, now number more than 100,000. Many Iranians are growing disillusioned with Islam and are turning to God. The first part of the book shares many statistics and government information which was somewhat boring and difficult for me to read. One section of the book tells the history of Christianity in Iran going back to 1500s. I enjoyed reading the stories of current Christians in the many house churches in Iran. The persecution of Iranian Christians made me wonder if American Christians would be strong enough to survive such cruel acts. Would our number increase in the face of persecution?

Anyone would find the stories of the Iranian Christians interesting but people with an interest in Iranian history will find this book most insightful.

I received Too Many to Jail from www.bookfun.org in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Too Many to Jail" by Mark Bradley is "The story of Iran's New Christians". A worthwhile read it also tells the history of Iran's Christians from centuries past.

Most people, I was one of them, think that Christianity not only barely exists in Iran but that it was simply eradicated with the arrival of the Islam of the Muslims. We learn that this was not the case. Instead it was a Mongol invader called Tamerlane. "It was he, not the early Arab invaders, who decimated Iran's church." (page 211) There have been Christians in Iran probably since the time of the Apostles and there are still some there today.

This book is sad when learning about all of the past and present day persecutions of the church and its members in Iran. However, it is joyful to learn that the new believers are filled with the Holy Spirit and the desire to evangelize.

The concept of house churches will most likely not be new to readers, but to see the extent of the network and the success that they enjoy is heartening to say the least. The house church leaders are a shining example of what it means to follow Jesus. Who knows? In the future we may need to resort to house churches right here in America.

I received a free copy of this book from The Book Club Network at www.bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.