6 Christians Who Risked Everything to Defend Biblical Truth

Unwavering Faith

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"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14

At a time when many Americans are offended by the mere mention of religious viewpoints and public prayer, it’s important that this generation of believers stands behind their faith and challenges this adversity. Despite political, cultural and spiritual opposition, these men and women risked everything to defend their faith and biblical truth. Here are six Christians who risked everything to defend Biblical truth that we should all be paying attention to. You will be inspired by their stories of courage and unrelenting faith.

Mariam Ibraheem

In 2014, the young, then-pregnant wife and mother was arrested for apostasy, accused of abandoning Islam for Christianity. She was told she had three days to renounce her Christian faith but she refused. “I am Christian and will remain Christian,” she said. After a court ruling, she was sentenced by the Sudanese court to death by hanging. Ibraheem spent months chained to a prison floor with her 1-year-old son by her side. She then gave birth to her daughter with her legs chained together inside the jail cell a month before her release. The Sudanese court lifted the death sentence and spared her life. In an interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly, she said, “the situation was difficult, but I was sure that God would stand by my side.” She refused to abandon God. Even when facing flogging and hanging for being a Christian and marrying a Christian in a largely Muslim country, she was not afraid, crediting God, her children for her bravery.

Megan and Mandy Chapman

Megan and Mandy Chapman, twin sisters from Russel County, Kentucky had to make a difficult decision on graduation day. Megan had been selected to conduct a prayer during her graduation ceremony but when Friday morning came around, a federal judge issued an order barring Russell County High School and Megan from conducting prayer during commencement amid the filing of a federal lawsuit by the ACLU. Megan wrestled with her decision: defend her faith or take on a federal law suit? You can imagine how difficult of a choice this would be on graduation day. She was later contacted by the Liberty Counsel, an organization devoted to protecting religious freedom three hours before the ceremony. She was told by the founder and chairman that God can turn apparent adversity into great opportunity when we’re willing to trust and obey Him. Hours later, more than 3,000 people packed into the gymnasium for graduation. When the principal finished his closing remarks, the senior class proudly stood up together and recited the Lord’s Prayer. Her sister, Mandy had rallied the class together and they weren’t going to let the ACLU win. At the time, Megan was prepared to read The Road Less Traveled but when the audience stood as one to say the Lord’s Prayer, she had a profound faith moment. She asked God to give her a message. She put aside what she had written, spoke from her heart and shared how God had led her. She hoped her classmates would find a similar peace through a relationship with Jesus Christ. A Louisville Courier-Journal reporter described the evening having “revival-like atmosphere”. What the ACLU tried to silence, sparked a collective voice of faith. These sisters are great examples of what it looks like to take a stand for Christ.

Moriah Peters

Contemporary Christian recording artist Moriah Peters auditioned for “American Idol” in 2010 with dreams of a career in music. As a devout Christian, she held to her morals and beliefs, with a policy of waiting until marriage to kiss. When she auditioned for American Idol, she faced criticism and scrutiny for her faith because they believed her image was too wholesome. Former judge Avril Lavigne told her she should go experience the world, “feel sexy” and “kiss a guy” if she wanted to make it in the music business. But she didn’t let this criticism hold her back. In an interview during the show, Peters said "God opened doors for me to get this far and then closed them, and I am not going to question it because I know He has bigger things for me." And God made a way. Despite the judge’s comments, she let God take the lead and earned a record deal on her own, releasing two albums “I Choose Jesus’ and ‘Brave’. Her story is a powerful example of what it means to not allow yourself to be yoked together with unbelievers and continues to inspire those who hear her testimony.

Joseph Kennedy

Public administrators demanded that Washington State high school football coach stop leading post-football game prayers. Every game, Coach Kennedy would walk on to the 50-yard line and speak a brief personal prayer, thanking God for the game and the players. While he had never received any personal complaints, Kennedy received a letter from the school district’s superintendent demanding him to stop. While he was told at the end of the letter he could "provide motivational, inspirational talks to students before, during and after games and other team activity" those talks "may not include religious expression, including prayer" so as "to avoid alienation of any team member." He fought against this requests, vowing to continue the prayer even after the objections. He was subsequently placed on paid administrative leave but continued to support his beliefs, even if it meant putting his position on the line.