SThe sun comes out in Istanbul, where I meet with Some of the Danish Europamissions local contactswhich we do not mention the names of here for security reasons. Between The conversations about project-related topics, there will also be time to talk to The aftermath of Andrew Brunsons dramatic release under great international scrutiny Mediaattention in October 2018.
Before the politics of Turkey's imprisonment of Christian pastor Andrew Brunson, many Danes were, through the Danish European Mission, started sending letters to the Turkish Ministry of Interior appealing for his release, and many prayed for him.
Read also: Interview: Andrew Brunson was on the verge of suicide in prison
Has the case benefited the church?
– Despite negative publicity about Christians in connection with the case, the the high-profile Brunson–case benefited the church, narrator contactsthose with in-depth knowledge of the church in Turkey. For example. a Turkish TV station made a documentary, as Narrated., What Andrew Brunson faithr on. Sober and positive angle Narrated. the broadcast to The Christian faith.
In addition, the Brunson never said anything negative about Turkey, but always said, that he loves the Turks and the country, and in that way he has been a good representative of the Christian faith.
With sot Ultimate requirements for release, accompanied by sanctions, Trump did not give Turkey's President Erdogan many opportunities to save face, which is important for the other party in a honor/Shame culture.
– Yes, you can, in Turkey as well as the rest of the Middle East is the most important that Do not lose honor. That's why Erdogan hesitated i several months to release Brunson despite the US sanctions that hurt the Turkish economy.
If you are vil to get anything done in the Middle East, you need to your counterpart have the opportunity to win something, and the key is that all parties in a case get a share of the credit. Some people missionaries understand this logic and experience great opportunities to work in their local area because they are good at honor authorities.
After Brunson–The case has noand all Turkish Christians saysTurkish authorities may be punishing the church because the country lost the battle for Brunson to the US. Turkey had set its sights on a prisoner swap, in return for which the US released Boldhullah Gülen, who the country's government believes was behind the failed coup attempt in 2016.
We do not know, if there is a connection, but 20 American missionaries who have lived in Turkey for several years are Recently. have been denied entry into the country after they have been home. IThe travel ban for the 20 missionaries can interpreted as a punishment, since the missionaries are precisely Americans. However, the the pro-government media did not mention the travel bans, which speaker in theod, that of shall perceived as retaliation in relation to Brunson–sayas the cases or else could be used for public that Restore that honor, Government lost about for the United States.
Har Brunson–the case promoted interest in Christianity?
– Media coverage, positive and negative, shows the population that there are Christian ethnic Turks. The great publicity of theplanes i Malatya i 2007 on three Christians, who worked at a publishing house, opened the eyes of many Turks to, that theyt is possible to be a Turk and a Christian, then Turkish identity is not only linked to Islam. Many Turks spoke out against the bestial killings and wondered when One of the widows came forward on national TV and forgave murderers. Thet contributed to break down a lot of skepticism in the population towards Christianity.e, ends ours contacts.
DThus, it seems that The media coverage of Brunson and Turkish Christians, both negative and positive, has helped raise awareness of the Convert Church in the country.
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