This paper explores Watchman Nee’s (1903–1972) martyrdom as an expression of steadfast faith and spiritual freedom under Maoist oppression, employing a comparative and interdisciplinary approach that bridges Christian and Jewish martyrdom traditions. As a church leader in China, Nee endured twenty years of imprisonment, ultimately dying in a labor camp for refusing to renounce his faith. His spirituality—rooted in prayer, biblical meditation, and “limited obedience”—offers a model of nonviolent resistance.
Drawing from Nee’s writings, prison letters, and his cellmate’s testimonies, this study examines his theology of martyrdom as active participation in Christ’s suffering (Imitatio Christi). Nee’s vision parallels Kiddush Hashem (sanctifying God’s name through martyrdom) in Jewish tradition and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theology of costly grace. His resistance redefines suffering as testimony and martyrdom as spiritual freedom. This study enriches global spirituality by illustrating how a martyrdom mindset sustains faith, fosters communal resilience, and transcends boundaries in persecution.