Pop quiz!
Out of all the violence and persecution in the world that is religiously-motivated, 75% of victims belong to which religion?
Sadly, if you guessed Christianity, you would be right.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Thomas Williams, author of the recently published book The Coming Christian Persecution: Why Things are Getting Worse and How to Prepare for What is to Come. Williams highlights how the persecution of Christians is not just an artifact of history - it’s happening right now, in ways and at a scale that believers and non-believers alike fail to fully grasp.
We discuss how systematic persecution of the followers of Christ persists in countries like North Korea, Nigeria, Pakistan and China; how “soft” persecution against Christians - as well as instances of violence - are on the rise in the West; how those who profess Jesus as Lord are called to both prepare for suffering and resist oppression; and how combating persecution ultimately begins and ends with cultivating the proper disposition of heart and mind.
Dr. Williams currently serves as Rome Bureau Chief for Breitbart News and is the author of 17 books in the fields of theology, philosophy, ethics and spirituality. He teaches theology at the Rome campus of St. John’s University and has served as a media commentator on faith, ethics and religion for such networks as NBC, CBS and Sky News. He was appointed by the Holy See as spokesman for two Synods of Bishops (1997 and 2001).
Websites / resources referenced
Dr. Thomas Williams official website
@tdwilliamsrome (Twitter)
Dr. Thomas Williams, The Coming Christian Persecution: Why Things are Getting Worse and How to Prepare for What is to Come (2023)
podcast@crownandcrozier.com
www.crownandcrozier.com
twitter.com/crownandcrozier
Please note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.