Christians and Nazis – Part II
This week in Coffee Talk will feature Dr. Steven Schroeder continuing his exploration of the theme – Nazis and Christians. Steve is a professor of history at UFV in Abbotsford specializing in Twentieth-century German history, modern European history, Holocaust, Religion, Arab-Israel Relations.
Last week, Steve gave a very thorough (well … as thorough as you can be in one hour) and interesting presentation of European history and the rise of the Nazi party. This week will be a continuation of the discussion especially pertaining to the relationship between Christianity and the Nazis. Discussing this connection can make a Christian feel a bit queasy considering our obvious position on Nazi Germany through the lens of history, but uncomfortable or not, as Steve pointed out last week, something like 98% of Germans at the time would identify themselves as Christians.
It would be easy and convenient to say that they were not “real Christians” – real Christians would not behave or believe in this way. But, what is a real Christian, how can we say they were not what they say they were? If behaviour is the deciding factor in determining the realness of our Christian faith, a lot of modern Christians are in trouble … yeah, I’m looking at you – and I’m no different.
What do we do with the statements by post-WWII Jewish people who say that, to them, the cross was a symbol of fear and oppression? To them Christ’s victory looked like death and unspeakable evil winning the day … like the end of everything decent.
That is a dreadful thought for us to wrestle with and ponder as we consider what it looks like to the world when we declare Christ’s victory today.
Did you know this about ex-President L.B Johnson – http://hiram7.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/lyndon-b-johnson-a-friend-in-deed/
One of the takeaway items for me from Steve’s lecture was the idea that “this [success of national socialism/evils that followed, etc.] was not a foregone conclusion.” In other words, the idea that there was an incremental creep of Nazi ideology and influence on numerous fronts (ideology, propaganda, policy, gov’t) which gained momentum in part because, well, it could. Chilling in some ways.
I agree Myron, I thought that was one of the most interesting points – that the Nazi leadership was testing the German people to see what they would tolerate and how far they would be allowed to go with their plans.
Also interesting/chilling that they objected to violence against the Jews in Germany itself (Kristalnacht), but deporting them off in cattle cars to have God-knows-what done to them somewhere else didn’t bother them so much.