Inner Fight - Mary Dyer

1611–60

The study of Christian history can be painful. Oh, we can celebrate the courage of martyrs who gave their lives for their faith, but our hearts ache over the fact that often they were being killed by other Christians. Such is the case with Mary Dyer.

The Puritans had experienced discrimination and persecution from the Church of England in the early 1600s, and so a number of them fled to America, setting up the colony of Massachusetts where they could worship freely. But their sense of religious freedom did not include the toleration of heresy.

When Anne Hutchinson began preaching a bold new theology suggesting that Christians should live by God’s Spirit rather than biblical law, she gained many followers, including William and Mary Dyer, who helped to set up Bible study groups. But Hutchinson’s teaching was strongly opposed by the Puritan authorities, and in 1638, she was banished from the colony. A while later, the Dyers were banished too. They settled in Rhode Island, a haven for religious freedom.

In 1650, on a trip to England, Mary heard George Fox preach. His description of the “inner light of the living Christ” appealed to her, as did his rejection of many church traditions. He had gathered a “Society of Friends,” a group that had already been derisively labeled as “Quakers.” This was just what Mary had been looking for.

Returning to New England in 1657, Mary began preaching Quaker doctrine wherever she could—including in the Massachusetts colony. Authorities arrested her, condemned her, and re-banished her, but she wouldn’t stay away. Even after she was sentenced to death, she was given a chance to live if she left and promised never to return. She replied, “Nay, I cannot; for, in obedience to the will of the Lord I came, and in His will I abide, faithful to the death.” She was hanged on June 1, 1660.

We Christians tend to have strong convictions, and we can vehemently oppose those who disagree. But let’s be careful how we treat other believers. Remember that we all serve a Savior who said, “Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34).

God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:21