Divine Intervention Shaped My Legal Battle into a Platform for Divine Praise
In a remarkable turn of events, Finnish Member of Parliament and former Interior Minister, Paivi Räsänen, has found herself at the centre of a five-year-long legal battle that has resonated deeply with many. Räsänen has refused to delete her writings based on Bible teachings, standing firm behind her beliefs despite the consequences.
The court case has been a catalyst for some individuals, who claim to have found Christ and experienced Jesus in their lives, inspired by Räsänen's unwavering testimony. The article about her ordeal was first published by Christian Network Europe (CNE) and later re-published with permission by Evangelical Focus, a platform currently facing a sustainability challenge and seeking support for its mission.
Räsänen deeply believes that the solution to the problem of sin lies in the Bible and has felt the power of prayer throughout this challenging period. She has expressed increased trust in God and a stronger belief in His faithfulness to what He promises in the Bible.
The legal process has seen Räsänen interrogated and standing trial at the District Court and the Court of Appeal. She has received two acquittals and is now waiting for a trial at the Supreme Court. Räsänen, who lived her childhood near the Soviet border in Eastern Finland, has used this ordeal as an opportunity to testify about Jesus in various settings, including in front of police officers, in courtrooms, and to Finnish families.
Räsänen believes that the words of Joseph in Genesis 50:20 apply to her situation, as God has turned the intended harm into good, saving many lives. A 22-year-old man and a young woman have specifically mentioned watching news broadcasts about the court case and concluding that Jesus must be real.
Historically, Bible smuggling into the Soviet bloc was a real phenomenon, with some involvement by neighbouring countries like Finland. To get detailed examples, consulting dedicated Cold War religious history sources is recommended.
In the fall of 2019, Räsänen was questioned by a policeman about the meaning of verses in Romans 1 from the Bible. Throughout this journey, Räsänen has been encouraged by thousands of messages from around the world, expressing how God has used her court case to encourage prayer and faith in His Word. She is grateful for the support and legal advice provided by ADF International throughout the process.
The #OneMoreYearEF campaign is a way for individuals to join in and support the mission of Evangelical Focus, ensuring that platforms like these continue to provide a voice for stories like Räsänen's. As Räsänen continues her fight, her faith remains unshaken, serving as an inspiration to many.
[1] Search Results for "Finnish Christians smuggling Bibles across the Soviet border during the Iron Curtain period" [2] Christian Network Europe (CNE) Article on Paivi Räsänen's Court Case [3] Evangelical Focus Article on Paivi Räsänen's Court Case [4] ADF International Support for Paivi Räsänen [5] Detailed Historical Examples of Bible Smuggling during the Cold War and Iron Curtain Era can be found in specialized historical or religious archives, memoirs of Cold War activists, or church history records from Finnish Christian organizations involved in such missions.
