A peaceful uprising against the president of Syria turned into a full-scale civil war that has continued for a decade. The conflict has been one of the most brutal, ugly and unforgiving of our time, and has left more than 380,000 people dead. It has also led to an unimaginable humanitarian and refugee crisis.
Growing up in the Middle East
This book tells the story of one brave young doctor who, rather than flee the hellish war-zone, chose rather to stay and help his fellow-Syrians in their hour of desperate need.
'Up From The Ashes' steers clear of the complex factional politics surrounding the fighting, offering instead a personal insight into the day-to-day realities of life in war-torn Syria, as ‘Dr A’ observes his nation slide into a moral and economic abyss (from which, he insists, absolutely no one is better off).
The doctor relates his working-class childhood, claiming that his family’s longstanding Christian roots in all likelihood go right back to first century, biblical Christianity. Middle Eastern customs have also endured through the ages, with its emphasis on family and community ties remaining strong to this day.
Indeed, throughout the book, ‘Dr A’ emphasises the contrast between the western obsession with materialism and individualism to his nation’s preference for enduring relationships (which includes honouring the elderly), a rich community spirit and a sense of belonging, which he is sure are truer biblical values.
Life as a war-zone doctor
After describing the long, arduous route of medical training and becoming a qualified doctor (in which he became highly respected for his wisdom and wealth of knowledge), ‘Dr A’ talks of how he built and developed entire hospitals, taking particular pride in the emergency departments and intensive care units. (But all this was later stolen from him – as were his very home and possessions – when Islamic extremists demolished or took them over at will, leaving his family with nothing).
...the doctor felt a calling to stand with the Syrian people, “living with them and suffering with them … even though it is more difficult than anyone outside Syria can imagine”
Given his role as a doctor, as well as his experience in disaster management, The medic had seen “every disgusting crime against humanity that could be imagined” (p.84). His work entailed breaking news to devastated mothers that their child had been beheaded, but that they couldn’t find the right head for their body because there were too many. (Volunteers sewed heads back onto bodies so the families could bury them: one day his team sutured a thousand heads).
Repulsion at the Church
‘Dr A’ explains his decision to stay in Syria rather than leave the country. This was “the land my ancestors had gained directly from God” and in which he felt required to stay to be a witness to Christ, most Christians having already fled for an easier and safer life. Not only so, the doctor felt a calling to stand with the Syrian people, “living with them and suffering with them … even though it is more difficult than anyone outside Syria can imagine” (p.96). “We should not accept seeing the name of Jesus banished from his land”, he declared. “On the contrary, we should do everything we can to see it glorified here” (p.100).
The doctor saw many churches and Christian groups receive vast donations from abroad to help the people, but then fail to pass most of it to those truly in need. This left him with a disgust for the institutional Church: “I felt repulsed just seeing people wearing religious robes or who had religious titles. In my mind they were the wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing that Jesus warned us about” (p.110).
Spiritual wisdom aplenty
‘Dr A’ was forced into a life of absolute seclusion for several years, unable to operate as a doctor, and becoming a ‘nobody’, virtually “fasting from life itself” (p.169). He knew he had to die to his status and medical reputation, which had become an idol in his life. This painful process of surrender proved pivotal - for it enabled him to put his trust in Christ alone. In so doing, he found true freedom, “To be with God and experience true freedom, you must give him everything, even your life”, he shares (p.156).
Indeed, profound spiritual reflections like this are interspersed throughout the book. We learn much, for example, on the nature of true sacrifice. “Are we able to say, ‘Jesus, I give you my whole life’?” (p.194). “I don’t remember Jesus compromising on anything at all” (p.99). “As Christians, we are not afraid of physical death. We are willing, even glad, to die for Jesus” (p.173).
This painful process of surrender proved pivotal - for it enabled him to put his trust in Christ alone
A whole chapter is included on forgiveness. With Syria being a Muslim-majority nation, ‘Dr A’s family regularly endured discrimination and hostility for their faith in Jesus. Having seen friends, colleagues and relatives tortured and murdered, having faced death threats, been beaten while treating patients, and faced false accusations and a catalogue of verbal abuse – just for being a Christian – the author has much to teach us on how to forgive – and forgive completely.
Invaluable lessons for the Western Church
It is a beautiful thing also to find, intermingled with stories of tragedy and horror, numerous testimonies of miraculous provision, guidance and protection – breath-taking accounts that confirm Jesus’ presence right in the very midst of the hell that constitutes modern Syria, a Jesus ready to reach out to all who call on him.
‘Up From the Ashes’ is an immensely rewarding read. Believers in the West can learn so much from these experiences: indeed the book was written partly as a warning “to people in the developed world to wake up” to let go off our idols of “eating, drinking, accumulating possessions, going on holidays” (p.192), and opting instead for the simplicity of life that comes with abandoning ourselves to Christ, and living in unbroken harmony with him.
‘Up From the Ashes’ (244pp) is published by Hodder & Stoughton and is available from Eden Christian Books for £13.82 (including p&p).
