What Went Wrong in Russia?
In the fall of 1991, I received an invitation signed by the two most powerful men in Russia. Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin were asking a small delegation of American Christians to visit their country in order to “help restore morality to the Soviet Union.” The government would host us in a luxury hotel owned by the Central Committee of the Communist Party and would pay all other expenses.
A few weeks later I boarded a plane for Moscow, unsure of what I might find. I grew up during the frostiest era of the Cold War, when Nikita Khrushchev was aiming nuclear warheads at the US and threatening, “We will bury you!” The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked the official end of the Cold War, but I wondered how much had really changed. As a journalist, I braced myself against the propaganda we would no doubt hear on a state-sponsored junket.
The Soviets fulfilled their promises, lining up appointments with the Supreme Soviet parliament, the newspaper Pravda, the Academy of Social Sciences, the Journalists’ Club, the Ukrainian Embassy, and even the notorious KGB. Each day seemed like an episode from Twilight Zone. A bus would transport us to a palatial office where our impeccably dressed hosts, looking dazed and bewildered, would confess the failures of communism and beg for help in finding another way forward. These, the leaders of the largest country on earth, had no clue where to lead it.
More than thirty years later, certain scenes from our trip stand out, such as our visit to the headquarters of Pravda. From my days as a magazine publisher, I felt right at home in their offices. The editorial staff met with our delegation around a large conference table, in a room with layout sheets taped to the walls and the smell of rubber cement in the air. In two years this iconic newspaper had seen its circulation plummet from eleven million to seven hundred thousand, and the editors were desperately attempting to regain their readers’ trust.
An earnest young editor said to us, “We were trained in the best Marxist schools. But we have seen the catastrophic results. As communists, we shared many of your Christian values. You oppose racism; we oppose racism. You work against poverty and injustice, so do we. And yet, in seventy years communism has produced the greatest monstrosity the world has ever seen—killing sixty million of our own people, as Solzhenitsyn has shown! Where did we go wrong?”
On the return flight to Chicago, that editor’s face and his anguished question continued to haunt me. Back home, I cleared everything from my calendar and wrote a short “instant book” (Praying with the KGB) recounting some of our experiences. The world was changing fast, and that book became outdated almost upon publication. One by one, member nations withdrew from the USSR, leading some observers to joke that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was becoming the Union of Fewer and Fewer Republics (UFFR). Less than two months after our visit, the USSR ceased to exist.
During the next decade I watched from a distance as Russia lived through crisis and chaos. President Yeltsin consolidated power by firing rockets on the Russian parliament and purging communists from the government. Western economists, summoned to reshape the centralized economy, had mixed results. The ruble dropped to historic lows against the dollar, and senior citizens found their pensions virtually worthless. Meanwhile, a handful of oligarchs gobbled up the rights to exploit Russia’s vast natural resources.
True to his invitation letter, Yeltsin welcomed spiritual help from the West. Early in his term he passed laws to protect basic human rights, especially the freedom of religion. Soon, as many as 7000 missionaries flooded in, mostly from the US and South Korea.
Everything changed, however, when an obscure former KGB agent named Vladimir Putin became president in 2000. He called the collapse of the Soviet Union “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the [twentieth] century,” and set Russia on a new course. Over the next few years Putin tightened restrictions on missionaries, labeling them “foreign agents” and banning them from the country. His rhetoric against NATO and the US grew increasingly shrill as he revived dreams of a Russian empire.
Out of the blue one day in 2019, I got a call from a publisher. “We’re interested in reprinting your book Praying with the KGB,” he said. “You witnessed one of the great events of modern times, the collapse of the USSR, and we think the story deserves retelling. Do you control the rights to that out-of-print book?”
“Yes, I do,” I answered. “But that’s ancient history now. There was a window of opportunity, a gust of freedom, but it didn’t last long. Putin is taking Russia down a very different path.”
The publisher and I had a few more exchanges, and each time I gave the same answer. Then February 24, 2022 happened. After months of denial and outright lying, Russia launched an all-out attack on their largest neighbor, Ukraine. The world watched in horror as missiles and bombs targeted apartment blocks, hospitals, schools, and kindergartens. Within weeks, savagery not seen since World War II descended upon Ukraine. Still, two years later, the war grinds on, with incalculable damage to Ukraine.
What went wrong, both politically and spiritually? In future years, historians will sort through the various reasons for Russia’s about-face away from the West. Secular media tend to focus on economics, tribalism, and history, overlooking the powerful forces of religion and culture. For example, I have seen little about Putin’s dream to restore a Russian world (Russkiy mir). His goal of capturing the holy site of Kyiv, where Vladimir the Great first adopted Christianity a thousand years ago, has roused a quasi-religious crusade. Putin’s odd alliance with the Russian Orthodox Church led directly to the brutal invasion of Ukraine, which had opted for freedom and democracy.
As I listen to news reports from Russia now—fleeing émigrés, assassinations, mass arrests, press clampdowns, war crimes, nuclear threats—I keep replaying the gripping scenes I witnessed in 1991: dazed Pravda editors grasping for truth, peasants standing in a packed chapel, journalists applauding prison ministries, and even KGB agents issuing a public apology. It seemed as if an entire ideology had melted around me. Instead, it went underground, only to reappear in a more sinister form. Sadly, the war in Ukraine is all too typical of Russia’s current modus operandi.
I finally agreed to the publisher’s request to write about Russia—not simply reprinting the account of my 1991 visit, but explaining what has happened since to create the current global crisis. I’m a journalist, not a Russia expert, and so I turned to my friend John Bernbaum as a coauthor. A PhD in European and Russian history, John was also one of the nineteen “Guests of the President” on our 1991 visit. He served with the US Department of State until joining the Christian College Coalition, where he developed a Russian Studies program. Later, he accepted an invitation from Russia to establish a Christian liberal arts college in Moscow.
For three decades John commuted back and forth between Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington, D.C.—more than 110 trips in all. The Russian-American Christian University, which John founded and led, stayed open for fifteen years, until the U-turn engineered by Putin. During those years, John witnessed firsthand the thawing, then freezing, between Russia and the West as he dealt with government bureaucrats, contractors, and students. This book relies heavily on John’s observations and insights.
The title and subtitle say it all: What Went Wrong? Russia’s Lost Opportunity and the Path to Ukraine. Other books have analyzed the economic and social dynamics in Russia and Ukraine after 1991. This one chronicles a neglected story: the role religion played in the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the rise of a newly autocratic Russia, and the emergence of democracy in Ukraine. What lay behind the radically different paths chosen by two former Soviet republics?
We are living at a hinge moment of history, in which democracy and freedom are at risk around the world. What, if anything, can we do about it?
Subscribe to Philip Yancey’s blog:
Share this
28 responses to “What Went Wrong in Russia?”
Leave a Reply
About Philip Yancey
For Yancey, reading offered a window to a different world. So, he devoured books that opened his mind, challenged his upbringing, and went against what he had been taught. A sense of betrayal engulfed him.
Listened on “Till all have heard” in the discussion on what went wrong in Russia…but I just want to clarify a statement made about “separation of church and state”…the only Constitution that shows up in is in the 1936 USSR Constitution Article 124 – you will never find that in the United States Constitution… David Barton – a world class historian has provided great research on this… and no one should EVER claim we have that clause in our nation…
When the poet Roy Campbell visited the Inklings he argued that Christian support for General Franco and the Fascists in the Spanish Civil War was necessary because of the Spanish Republic’s hostility to the Catholic Church. Lewis rebuked him and wrote a scathing poem in response with the line “who cares what shirt the murdering party wears?” I think communism and fascism are the twin sides of the same bad totalitarian coin; both offer the temptation that all can be put right with the world if you just line up behind a single program. The messiness and compromises inherent to democracy are tossed aside, and of course violence is used to keep dissenters in line. I fear we are forgetting the horrors totalitarianism wrought in the 20th century, and its temptations gleam before us once again like the ring before Gollum’s eyes.
Thank you, Philip, for reissuing “Praying with the KGB” with the update. This brings back memories of the incredible days leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Christian Bridge project was the culmination of three exciting years that included giving Bibles away at the Moscow International Book Fair. Churches were filled and the Russian people were hungry for the Gospel. But as you and John Bernbaum documented in “What Went Wrong?” that passion soon faded. Re-reading your report and the updated story, I sense that this provides important lessons today for the Church in North America. That is, if we will listen and learn.
And back to the topics of suffering and “disappointment with God” (two most important topics in history I guess). Lots of people like to refer to the Book of Job as perfect example of disappointment with God situation. The problem I have always had with this story is that Job is rich and happy than he goes through a lot of suffering and in the end he is rewarded with wealth for his stoicism. Alas, I can not get off my mind the thought that lots of people suffer, are born in misery, live and die in misery without getting any reward (I hope they are rewarded in afterlife but at the moment this idea does not bring any comfort to me). The experience shows that suffering is often unmerited. And in the speech God delivers at the end of the story He presents himself as cold, distant and indifferent.
There is also this particular way of thinking: we should not confuse God with life. Life is unfair and God is good. For me it basically means: God does not intervene with our lives and has no control over this world. Very sad news to digest.
I’m writing this from Russia.
I’ve been through everything you described over the past 30 years and personally I have no answer: when, how and why it went wrong.
But you are right: the ideology did not disappear, it went underground.
As for religion, the radical form of Gospel of prosperity has become very popular here in the 21st c.
If you go to church and pray, God will give you a lot of money.
I have tried to follow this story for the last 30 years or so but I still get confused as to who the “bad guys”really are. Your account helps a great deal. I find Yakov’s email very interesting.
What a mess the world’s in!
I don’t have the brain and energy to understand what is happening around as there many half-truth and lies. So, my only hope is to pray for God’s forgiveness and mercy upon His creation. ” O LORD, have mercy, have mercy, have mercy, forgive all our sins as you have promised and fulfill your truth by your mighty, sovereign Power….May your kingdom come, and your will be done for your chosen, beloved saints. In Jesus mighty name, amen, amen, amen.
Philip,
It’s a great question … I just don’t have any answers. Sadly, I learned
4 months ago that I now have high blood pressure. Tried to understand ..’the why’ as I’ve never had it before .. I re-checked my diet, salt in-take, blah, blah, blah. Then I realized the answer – I was consuming too much ‘news’. 140 days later my BP is very slowly coming down – no more news.
Today, is the first time I’ve read anything about World Events… As I type this I can feel my heart start to race. I’m a believer … am I obligated to watch the horror ? Why as a Christian do I feel so afraid ? God’s in control — right ? Where did my hope go ? (all rhetorical questions) … my Faith has never been stronger, and yet I’m fearful. It’s such a contradiction. I can only think to drop to knees and pray. And I’m not even sure .. what my prayer might be.
James
Philip,
Gauging by the boots-on-the ground assessment of Yeltsin by the priest Yakov Krotov (replied earlier), it would appear Yeltsin’s motives were somewhere between religious altruism and a well-organized set-up.
What is important is the number of people within the Russian government who may the come to the saving power of Jesus Christ as a result of the visits of you and other Christian leaders. God always moves in mysterious ways. He provides the opportunity for people in the worst of circumstances to find that living hope anchored in Jesus (1 Peter 1:3).
Your post brought tears to my eyes. My daughter was in a singing group which sang songs to Russian children in their homeland and hosted a group from Tblisi in the U.S. after the wall fell. I have wondered how the children fared over the years. Recently my daughter discovered that the young girl who stayed with us has a platform as a journalist in Russia. It is sad to see the turn the country took. We all make daily choices. Hopefully we will choose life giving ones. Thank you for writing this new book.
BORIS PASTERNAK’S SPIRITUAL IMAGERY
Peter A. Olsson MD
Boris Pasternak had been writing in literary exile for twenty-five years. In 1958, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He refused to accept the prize because to do so would have required him to leave his beloved country for the rest of his life. He died May 30th, 1960, in Russia.
Boris Pasternak’s writings contain important spiritual imagery and implied Christian theology. Communism and its atheistic value system had suppressed and persecuted writers who extolled political and religious freedom. Christian spiritual imagery had to be camouflaged in the works of Russian authors for many decades.
Pasternak elegantly mingled poetic romantic spiritual images with his descriptions of earth, animals, trees, shrubs, rivers and the changing seasons. This connection of poetic images with the earth and the earthy, keeps the spirit and meaning of Pasternak`s work in words as fresh today as it was over forty years ago. We discover spiritual imagery and God’s creation
in Pasternak’s famous novel Doctor Zhivago and in his poetry. Some of Pasternak`s poems read like Christian hymns.
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO: Mother, Earth and Funerals
Pasternak’s novel begins with Zhivago`s mother’s funeral and ends with Zhivago`s funeral. The bodies are buried, but the Resurrection themes permeate the fabric of the entire novel. The third paragraph of the book sets the tone of Pasternak`s way of connecting Christian imagery with the earth, the climate and spirituality. The priest says,
“‘The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the earth and
everything that dwells therein.’ The priest, with the gesture of a cross, scattered earth over the body of Maria Nikolaieva (Yuri Zhivago`s mother) “(p7)
Ten-year-old Zhivago climbed on the fresh mound of earth of her grave. He gazed over the “bare autumn landscape” and—burst into sobs. The wind bearing down on him lashed his hands and face with cold gusts of rain.”
The next spring young Zhivago wanders lonely in the forest,
“The ghost of his mother’s voice was hallucinatingly present in the meadows. He heard it in the musical phrases of the birds and the buzzing of the bees. Now and then he imagined with a start that his mother was calling him, asking him to join her somewhere.” (p14).
Young Yuri Zhivago goes on to pray and picture his mother in heavenly mansions where her face shines in the stars to remind him of her goodness and God’s love. These Resurrection / Christian reunion themes occur throughout the novel. Men who learn of God’s love from a loving mother are fortunate. Pasternak indicates they can find it and re-find it in down-to-earth ways.
The novel is sprinkled with many extraordinary passages conveying spiritual truth. Pasternak during a Zhivago dialogue later in the novel says,
“—what has for centuries raised man above the beast is not the cudgel but an inward music: the irresistible power of unarmed truth. It has always been assumed that the most important things in the Gospels are the maxims and commandments. But for me the most important thing is that Christ speaks in parables taken from life, that He explains the truth in terms of everyday reality. The idea that underlies this is that communion between mortals is immortal, and that the whole of life is symbolic because it is meaningful.” (p39).
Our terrifying and tumultuous “Modern” world’s leaders need to hear this message!
I can’t help but think that the Russian people wanted a czar more than they genuinely wanted democratic reforms. They wanted “Mother Russia” back more than they wanted Christian values and principles.
Sadly, it’s true also in the West. We want other things than Christian values and principles, because those require humility and meekness at the core. Even those who want a Christian nation, aren’t truly reading the Bible, IMO. There’s no promise of a truly Christian nation, anywhere in the New Testament – only that God’s people should be salt and light in a world that loves darkness.
We in the west need to first acknowledge that our freedoms are founded solely on the rule of law and the sovereignty of God. Then we need to ask the question “Is governance based on this foundation conducive to both our country and the individuals in the country thriving?” Is there any other form of governance which results in more complete thriving?
The thinking that colonialism and white privilege have destroyed western freedoms is a red herring. The real question concerns analysing thriving. The real answer is that only submission to God our creator produces excellent human governance.
Where can i get this book in Germany?
It just came out, and will take a while before a German company shows interest.
Wonderful Phillip. Thank you for sharing your insights, in a time when we all are wondering about everything. God’s timing is perfect. And I pray we all do what we can until His return. I’m sure this book will bless a lot of people.
Kindly, Lisa
Very interesting
Thank you Philip. As with all your writing, you offer a keen insight from an informed and inspired Christian perspective. Your publications have touched and mentored many believers across the years. I am one of them. All of us are grateful for the grace of your gifts.
Blessings dear Brother.
Walker Railey
“The truth is inside of us. And it’s wonderful when we have the courage to tell it.” ~Fred Rogers
That quote seems to have even greater meaning now amidst the onslaught of evil from a madman like Putin. That man Navalny who died (was likely killed) in prison was certainly a courageous man. We need to be brave enough to speak up for the truth in our own country while we have the freedom to do it.
As a journalist who witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the flourishing of culture in an independent Ukraine, I have watched with frustration and anger as many American Christians have made common cause with Putin, believing he shares their moral values while ignoring the enormous human tragedy now unfolding in Ukraine. I urge them all to view the Academy Award-nominated documentary, 20 Days in Mariupol, to understand what is really going on there. I look forward to reading your book. Thank you for this much needed wake-up call!
Start being truthful with ourselves about how we ourselves have subverted the message of the cross into one of money and power. To learn how to die as Christ died. That would be a start. The church BEING the body of Christ and not the monstrosity she has become. And the monstrosity the world now thinks IS Christ.
Somehow we must have hope that the “Lost Opportunity” does not become the last opportunity for a people in need of God. I pray that we all continue to turn toward a God who always answers with grace. I look forward to reading your book.
Dear Philip, Putin continued policies of Yeltsin. Yeltsin put on the mask of pro-Westerner democratic leader during 1991-1992 in order to receive money from the West. As soon as he made his regime safe he began restoring autocracy, only changing Marxism for Russian Orthodoxy. Yeltsin, not Putin, was the first to limit the activities of “foreign missionaries” in 1997. Yeltsin killed about 400.000 Chechens. The West didn’t react, because Chechnya is so far… I am not sure that my opinion is interesting to You, but I am still alive, I am now the priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (from 2007), but I live in Moscow. My elder son emigrated with all the stuff of Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe, he lives in Prague with his family. My e-mail is still ykrotov@yahoo.com, and I write a lot and preach every day on youtube.
Phil, I’m so pleased to have known you, even for a short period of time. I praise God for how He has used you to glorify His name. God bless you.
Thank you for your great work. How can I find an eBook of “What went wrong”?
I am from Russia.
Thank you.
Ebook should be out very soon through Amazon.
Thank you for leading out in research, reading and writing as a devout Christian.
This particular question is well worth asking. I personally think it’s the American churches fault that we have this problem in Russia. Many of not most of the churches have drifted away from the Biblical truth and they have become very selfish and self gratification, and also squabbling among themselves regarding the Bible, gender ideology, and every other ideologies one can think of. As a result the church has missed a prime opportunity to make a very real difference not only among themselves but also with Russia. However it does say in the Bible that very negative political and social changes were going to happen, as propheced in the books of Zechariah and Ezekiel and Revelations. I personally believe that we are in the last days of human history, with all the political, social, economic and monetary systems now being set up for the future anti-christ to come into power. Even if the church had done an excellent job in the years following, this awful sequence of events would have happened anyway, but more slowly. One day God will say to Putin “I have had enough of your evil behavior – now is the time to bring your life to an end!” And Putin will most likely die extremely suddenly, possibly violently. Leaving everyone absolutely gobsmacked. On a personal note, I do grieve greatly for the people of the Ukraine who are suffering more than words can describe. And the same thing for Israel as well. But I know that God is still omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, on His throne forever and ever.