Part 4/13:
The documentary The Essential Church, which the speaker praises highly, highlights these struggles. It portrays modern pastors as exemplars of martyrdom—ordinary yet courageous individuals willing to face prison rather than compromise their faith. The film underscores that such resistance is rooted in historical patterns of Christian opposition to oppressive authority, dating back to the earliest days of the church and through events like the Covenanters who sacrificed their lives for the principle of Christ’s headship over the church.