History to Ponder Today

Since I first read and studied the Theological Declaration of Barmen in graduate school fifty-plus years ago, I have repeatedly encouraged Christians and churches in our timed should revisit and pay close attention to it. I am convinced we need the reminder that the threat to authentic Christian faith and discipleship in the 30s was not being tortured into denying Christ by atheistic forces but by the fellow church members and respected church leaders who were linking church with nationalism. The Theological Declaration of Barmen (sacred-texts.com)

 I also believe we would all benefit from understanding the Beer Hall Putsch of November 8-9, 1923 when about 2,000 Nazis marched on the Feldherrnhalle in a failed attempt to overthrow the Weimar Republic government. Fourteen Nazis were killed, and four police officers were killed. Hitler and others were imprisoned. Hitler’s highly publicized trial lasted 24 days and gave him a platform to articulate his nationalist agenda which launched his crusade (Mein Kampf  which he dictated while in prison) that propelled the popular Nazi takeover of the government. In our time “Nazi” has a distinctly negative even evil connotation (some on the political right even attempt to label others on the political left as “Nazis”), but at the time many in Germany saw it as a movement to restore national pride and dignity after the embarrassment of losing World War I (The Great War/War to End All Wars) and the weak Weimar Republic.

 I also believe we would do well to revisit and refresh our understanding of Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938 when a Nazi pogrom broke windows of Jewish businesses, synagogues, and homes. Though not an official government action, the government did nothing to restrain the effort that came to symbolize antisemitism. Again, Kristallnacht is remembered as evil, but at the time it was regarded as patriotic.

 I am all too aware that hurling historic labels at present day activities and expressions that we don’t like is a dubious enterprise. Details and dynamics differ enough that drawing too close parallels is dangerous and misleading. Nevertheless, I do think these sorts of pieces of history do caution us about how easily popular ideas that sound noble are mobilized for untoward even evil purposes.