“Coptic Christians and other believers in the Middle East must cling to the powerful truth of the risen Christ in these days as they possibly face the same persecution that Mark wrote about 2000 years ago,” wrote Dr. Michael A. Milton, chancellor-elect of Reformed Theological Seminary

According to Milton, St. Mark spread Christianity to Egypt in AD 42, where it flourished until it was eventually driven out by Muslim forces.

“Now Mark’s Gospel must be retold to the very church he likely founded in Egypt,” wrote Milton.

Politicians alike contend that Egypt’s strict military regime currently in control of the government poses danger to both religious plurality and international affairs. Egypt has recently stunted friendly relations with Israel, and the violence that took place in Cairo has upset many international groups.

President Barack Obama has released a statement urging peace and compromise “so that Egyptians can move forward together to forge a strong and united Egypt.”

Similarly, Germany’s foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, commented: “It is about time that the Egyptian leadership understands the importance of religious plurality and tolerance.”

Milton told The Christian Post that this uprising could prove positive for Christianity, saying that the Christian uprising could be a “vehicle for renewal and strengthening of the Christian Church in the Middle East.”

Violence erupted in Cairo last Sunday when Christians gathered to protest against the Sept. 30 burning of a Coptic church in Southern Aswan. The burning was allegedly carried out local hardline Muslims who claimed the church did not have the license for the construction of a dome.
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