The article in the Telegraph briefly hints that the Russian Communist leader may be a follower of Christ. Apparently some think he's been a believer for many, many years. Some see this secret faith as one of many factors for his support of perestroika (practice of restructuring/reforming) and glasnost (wider dissemination of information) in the Soviet Union during the 80's. St. Francis of Assisi, the famed saint who forsook his father's wealth to serve the Lord by embracing the poor, inspired Gorbachev, though is that the same as salvation?
Growing up in the 1980's, Communism was a big threat. Gorbachev was the enemy. But even then, as a middle schooler, there was something impressive about him. In his own way, he tried to increase the spiritual and economic welfare of the country. Rather than continuing the injustices of the SU, he sought to address them.
May Gorbachev continue to influence his motherland to embrace a form of perestroika and glasnost that fuels justice for the hardworking, mercy for the downtrodden, peace for the nation and abundance for its neighbors.
Another article at Christianity Today tries to dig deeper. I suppose there is more than one side to each story. But it's an interesting story.
Check out his personal website.
No comments:
Post a Comment