Should Christians Flee, Stay, or Start a Secret Tunnel Network? A Surprisingly Nuanced Guide from the Bible
(By a mildly over-caffeinated theologian who has read way too much from the Book of Acts and rescue novels)
“Should Christians flee persecution or stay and suffer?”
If you ask the internet, you’ll get confident answers.
If you ask the Bible, you’ll get… nuance.
Holy, faithful, divinely inspired nuance.
And honestly? It’s refreshing.
Let’s walk through it—conversations included—because theology is always better when people argue politely.
Ⅰ. “Is Fleeing Biblical?” — Jesus: “YES, Actually.”
Narrator: Fleeing persecution is not cowardice. It’s strategy. Jesus Himself said so.
Peter (imagined): “But Lord, if we flee, won’t people think we’re scared?”
Jesus: “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next.” (Matthew 10:23)
Peter: “…Ah. So it’s biblical.”
Jesus: “Extremely.”
Jesus modeled this repeatedly:
- Dodging murderous mobs (John 8:59)
- Stepping calmly through an attempted assassination-by-cliff (Luke 4:29–30)
- Avoiding danger because “His hour had not yet come”
Even the early Christians fled—and the gospel spread because of it.
Friend 1: “So they ran away?”
Friend 2: “They relocated the ministry.”
Friend 1: “Ah yes. Sanctified running.”
Paul? The man practically had a punch card at the “Emergency Escape Club.”
- Lowered in a basket (Acts 9)
- Escaping plots (Acts 17)
- Avoiding arrests (2 Cor 11)
But he also stayed when staying mattered—Philippi, Jerusalem, Rome.
Biblical Principle: Fleeing is faithful when it preserves life and calling. Staying is faithful when suffering is the calling.
Ⅱ. “When NOT to Flee”—AKA “Please Don’t Run If God
Says Stay.”
Sometimes fleeing is disobedience. Not always. But sometimes.
Jesus didn’t flee His arrest. He could have.
Paul didn’t flee Philippi’s prison. Why? Because leaving would’ve sabotaged the testimony God set up.
Silas: “Hey Paul, we can go! Doors are open!”
Paul: “Yeah… about that. We’re staying.”
Silas: “…Can’t we at least vote on it?”
Early martyrs remained—not because they couldn’t escape, but because their obedience required them to stay.
Principle: Staying is faithful when fleeing would compromise witness or calling.
Ⅲ. “Helping Others Flee”
The Bible’s Version of
Underground Railroads
The Bible celebrates people who protect the persecuted.
- Rahab hid refugees → honored.
- Obadiah hid prophets → righteous.
- Moses’ parents defied genocide → praised.
- Midwives defied Pharaoh → rewarded.
Modern translation: These folks were running the original resistance networks and sanctuary routes.
Rahab (imagined): “I don’t know your God yet, but He seems like the
type who wants me to hide these spies.”
Angels in heaven: “Correct.”
Ⅳ. Commanded to Defend the Oppressed
Scripture doesn’t say, “Think fond thoughts about victims.”
It says:
- “Deliver those being taken away to death.” (Prov 24:11)
- “Rescue the weak and needy.” (Psalm 82:4)
- “Defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Prov 31:8–9)
Proverbs (paraphrased): “If you see someone being dragged toward danger and do nothing… God sees that, and it’s not a good look.”
Ⅴ. Strangers, Refugees, and the Displaced
God has a whole-hearted bias toward the vulnerable.
- “Love the foreigner as yourself.” (Lev 19:33–34)
- Cities of refuge (Num 35; Deut 19)
- God identifies as protector of the oppressed (Psalms 9 & 146)
Israelite Farmer (imagined): “So… treat
foreigners like family?”
Moses: “Yes.”
Farmer: “…Even if they don’t like our cooking?”
Moses: “Especially then.”
Biblical Ethic: Providing sanctuary mirrors God’s character.
Ⅵ. The Whole Bible in One Handy Chart
Biblical Response:
Fleeing persecution yourself is permitted / sometimes commanded Matt 10:23; Acts 8–9
Staying to suffer. Honored when God calls you to witness (John 18)
Martyrs helping others flee danger are praised: Rahab, midwives, Moses’ parents. Prov 24:11–12; Psalm 82:4
If someone asks:
“Should Christians flee persecution?”
Answer: Sometimes.
“Should Christians stay and suffer?”
Answer: Sometimes.
“Should Christians help others escape persecution?”
Answer: Always. Seriously. Always.
Both Scripture and church history agree:
- The Underground Railroad
- Hiding Jews in WWII
- Smuggling Bibles
- Modern sanctuary networks
- Missionaries who evacuate victims
- Families who pull kids out of trafficking routes
This isn’t new.
It’s just obedience with a backbone.
Modern Organizations Rescuing the Persecuted
(For
Readers Who Want to Help)
Here are real, reputable organizations that rescue the oppressed, trafficked, and kidnapped today. There are more.
1. The Exodus Road: Fights human trafficking with covert teams and survivor care.
2. International Justice Mission (IJM): Rescues victims of violence, slavery, and exploitation worldwide.
3. Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.): Works with governments to rescue children from trafficking.
4. Free the Slaves: Helps communities break out of trafficking cycles and rebuild safely.
5. A21: Global organization working to end modern slavery.
6. Anti-Slavery International: Oldest human rights organization dedicated to ending slavery.
Final Thoughts (with a Smile and a Challenge)
The Bible’s teaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all command.
It’s a call to wisdom, courage, and compassion.
Sometimes you run.
Sometimes you stay.
But you ALWAYS help others.
Peter (imagined again): “Lord, this still feels
complicated.”
Jesus: “Good. Wisdom usually is.”
Peter: “Can I flee now?”
Jesus: “Only if it advances the mission.”
Peter: “…So that’s a no.”
for Traveler to Other Cultures