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Germany was so destitute in the 1930s from losing World War I and the economic depression that engulfed the world that when Adolf Hitler came to power many Germans saw him as the spirit of Jesus Christ moving across their land. German pastor Herman Gruner preached, "It is because of Hitler that Christ, God the helper and redeemer, has become effective among us." Gruner went on to preach, "Hitler is the way of the Spirit and the will of God for the German people to enter the Church of Christ." Messages similar to this were heard from the pulpits throughout Germany.
There were some Christians who realized that Hitler was evil and the pulpits were recognizing a false prophet. One of those who stood in opposition to Hitler was Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He, along with several others, established what became known as the Confessing Church. It was a church whose message denounced Nazi propaganda and condemned Nazi atrocities.
During these years Bonhoeffer traveled to the United States to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. As things became worse in Germany, he could have allowed the Atlantic Ocean to keep him safely away from the Nazi persecutions. Instead, as a pastor, he knew his place was among his people. This is stated in a letter he wrote to his professor Reinhold Niebuhr, "I made a mistake in coming to America. I must live through this difficult period in our national history with the Christian people of Germany. I will have no right to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with my people." Bonhoeffer returned to Germany and became actively involved in the resistance movement. Because of this involvement he was arrested and executed on April 9, 1945.
Paul in his letter to the church at Thessalonica warned the congregation against false prophets who will misrepresent the message of Jesus. "Don't let anyone deceive you," Paul emphatically wrote. Paul then encouraged the Christians to "stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you." As true as these words were in 51 AD to a church in Thessalonica, they were as true for a church in Germany in the 1930s. And if read carefully, they are true for our church this day.
Ron L.
There were some Christians who realized that Hitler was evil and the pulpits were recognizing a false prophet. One of those who stood in opposition to Hitler was Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He, along with several others, established what became known as the Confessing Church. It was a church whose message denounced Nazi propaganda and condemned Nazi atrocities.
During these years Bonhoeffer traveled to the United States to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. As things became worse in Germany, he could have allowed the Atlantic Ocean to keep him safely away from the Nazi persecutions. Instead, as a pastor, he knew his place was among his people. This is stated in a letter he wrote to his professor Reinhold Niebuhr, "I made a mistake in coming to America. I must live through this difficult period in our national history with the Christian people of Germany. I will have no right to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with my people." Bonhoeffer returned to Germany and became actively involved in the resistance movement. Because of this involvement he was arrested and executed on April 9, 1945.
Paul in his letter to the church at Thessalonica warned the congregation against false prophets who will misrepresent the message of Jesus. "Don't let anyone deceive you," Paul emphatically wrote. Paul then encouraged the Christians to "stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you." As true as these words were in 51 AD to a church in Thessalonica, they were as true for a church in Germany in the 1930s. And if read carefully, they are true for our church this day.
Ron L.
