5. Jahrgang MBS Te x t e 94 2008
Thomas Schirrmacher National Socialism as Religion
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Pro mundisPro mundis TableInhaltsverzeichnis of Contents
‘Salvation Hitler’...... 3 14 Documents...... 3 Research on National Socialism as Religion...... 7 Why German Churches Failed to Understand National Socialism...... 8 Annotation...... 11 The Author...... 13 Impressum...... 14
This essay was originally published as “National Socialism as Religion”. Global Journal of Classical Theology (Trinity Theological Seminary) 4 (2005) 3: 1ff. An earlier English version was published in the authors book “Love is the Fulfilment of Law: Essays on Ethics” (RVB: Hamburg, 2001).
For detailed documentation see:
1. Aufl. 2008 National Socialism as Religion
National Socialism as Religion Thomas Schirrmacher
Abstract: Provides an overview of National Socialism as a rival religion to Christianity. 14 major documents and research literature prove National Socialism not only to be a political party, but to be a faith in salvation and a future kingdom. There even examples of prayers to Hitler and of plans to esta- blish the Hitler cult as the only religion in Europe once the war was won.
‘Salvation Hitler’ in several ways. We could discuss the roots of Hitler’s thinking, which lie in Let us have a look at one of the two occult orders and sects2. We could dis- political religions that have been in cuss the parallels between the salvation power on German soil and attempted history of orthodox Christianity and of to bring salvation by the State: National National Socialism. But surely the most Socialism and Communism. impressive argument is the everyday It is impossible to count how many songs, the poems, official rituals and billion times the Germans said ‘Heil lectures of the Third Reich. Most Nazis Hitler’ during the Third Reich. To did not disguise or hide the religious greet with ‘Heil Hitler’ was required character of their actions. Let us look at by a strict law, and people were put some samples. into concentration camps because they refused. But only a few non-Germans realize that ‘Heil’ is the German word 14 Documents for ‘salvation’, which is extensively used in the German Bible translations. ‘Sal- Document 1: A Blessing vation Hitler’ or ‘Salvation by Hitler’ In Cologne, the children receiving was the daily message every German, meals from the Nazi State during World including nearly all Christians, preached War II prayed before meal. This prayer to his neighbour daily. Although some follows typical German Christian bless- tried to explain ‘Heil Hitler’ as wishing ings before meal and is originally writ- salvation for Hitler1, the official mean- ten in rhyme: ing was clear: Hitler is the salvation for Germany and for the world. “Fold your hands, bow your head and That ‘Salvation Hitler’ was only a think about Adolf Hitler. small, but revealing part of the Social- He gives us our daily bread and helps us ist message and practice of a new anti- out of every misery.”3 Christian religion can be demonstrated
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Document 2: A Blessing of the united trade unions, Robert Ley, Another children’s prayer by the said: Nationalsocialist Welfare Office for Children’s Meals in Cologne: “Once your heart is branded with the swastika, “Before the meal: You hate any other cross! Fuehrer, my Fuehrer, given of God, If you identify yourself with your nation, Protect me and keep my life. You laugh at redeemer cranks. Thou has saved Germany from the Beware anyone one who demands: greatest of need ‘Whosoever will come after me, let him I thank you today for my daily bread. deny himself’ Stay by me, don’t leave me, ‘What the Nazarine demands is our Fuehrer, my Fuehrer, my faith and my demise...’6 light. After the meal: Document 5: A Confession I thank thee for this food, The same Robert Ley proclaimed in Defender of youth, defender of age! his personal ‘confession’ (‘Glaubens- Thou hast care, I know, but no fear, bekenntnis’): Thou art with me by day and by night. “Adolf Hitler! We are united with you Lay thy head quiet in my lap, alone! We want to renew our vow in this Art safe, my Fuehrer, then thou art hour: On this earth we believe only in great.. Adolf Hitler. We believe that National Hail my Fuehrer!”4 Socialism alone is the saving faith for our people. We believe that there is a Document 3: A Statement Lord-God in Heaven, who created us, In a lecture at a course for the lead- who leads us, who directs us and who ers of the youth of the German States blesses us visibly. And we believe that it was stated: this Lord-God sent Adolf Hitler to us, “National Socialism is a religion, so that Germany may become a basis born out of blood and race, not a politi- for all eternity.”7 cal world view. It is the new, only true religion, born out of a Nordic spirit and Document 6: Song an Arian soul. The religions still exist- A widely used song by the ‚Reichsju- ing must disappear as soon as possible. gendführer’, the Fuehrer of youth in If they do not dissolve themselves the Nazi Germany, Baldur von Schirach: State must destroy them.”5 “Before thee, my Fuehrer Document 4: An Official Poem Though thousands may stand before The ‘Confession of Faith’ of the thee, ‘Reichsarbeitsführer’, the Nazi Chief
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each feels thine eye on himself alone and Document 8: Song thinks, The official song of the Hitlerjugend his own hour has come, (‘Youth of Hitler’) at the Reichsparteitag when thou sees the depths of his soul. 1934: In those few minutes in thy presence, we would open every door to thee, “We are Hitler’s joyous youth, all thoughts we lift to thee, Why need we Christian virtue!, that thou correct and improve. Our Fuehrer Adolf Hitler So good art thou and so great; Is always our redeemer! so strong and infinitely pure No wicked priest can hinder us, To thee we reveal without deceit our To sense that we are Hitler’s children; hearts’ innocence. We follow not Christ but Horst Wessel, None depart from thee with empty Away with incense and holy water!”10 hands, if thine eyes have touched him with Document 9: Song their steely gaze. Song by Ernst Leibl: We know that thou proclaimeth con- stantly: “We lift our hands in our direst need. I am with you – and you belong to Lord, send us the Fuehrer, to avert our me!”8 doom with powerful command. Awaken our hero, to have mercy on his Document 7: Song people, who walk in darkness, Another widely used song of the Sold and betrayed into enemy hand.”11 Reichsjugendführer: Document 10: Poem “How often we heard the sound of thy voice and listened silently, “God We see no God with long beard folding our hands, as every word pierced And cane in his hand. the depth of our souls. We see only the work of the creator We know it, one day the end will In our German Fatherland. come, We see no Jewish God, and free us from force and from need. Who elected that people. What is a year when the era shall turn?! We believe in no divine contracts, Where is a law that will stifle our faith, Reported in the old Book. the pure faith you have bestowed, We see no God in the daily crimes, that beats as our hearts and guides our Committed by His people, existence. We see God in His acts, My Fuehrer, thou alone art the way When He gives Germans bread and and the goal!”9 work. We do not believe in God’s Words
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We do not believe in God’s Book approach. Gray clamour huddles at the We believe that man is closest to God in end of the world. The Fuehrer arises! his deeds.”12 He raises his hand to eternal salute. His heart beats the heartbeat of his Document 11: Poem people Poem by Max Storsberg: His step is our prayer ... He arises and stands shrouded in mira- “Wherever our banner waves, cles. The Gospel of Germany is preached, He burns with the faith of his com- There stand our altars, rades. No priestly ordination has more There blossoms our faith in you, eternal power than the silent, stonelike prayer Germany, of the man in whose being the nation There the deep fountains of our hearts is moved. The vow we make here is our surge to flow towards the eternity before prayer to the creator! God’s throne.”13 May our banner wave! Let it be hoisted, for it is our German high altar! The Document 12: Order of Ceremony standard bearers rejoice: What is death, Instructions for the central memorial when you command us to live, O Ger- ceremony at the Munich Field Marshal many!”14 Hall: Document 13 “National Socialist Worship The high SS officer Schulz stated in a On these steps to the Hall of the Field lecture called “Ours is the kingdom and Marshals, to which we make pilgrim- the power and the glory”15: age, once stood a sacrament of battle, In this, its only cathedral, Germany, may “I do not want to become guilty of blas- stand only those who carve their moti- phemy, but I ask: Who was greater, vation deep into their deeds. Christ or Hitler? By (the time of) his You are pilgrims, if you honour the death Christ had twelve disciples, who glory of your nation above the revela- did not even stay faithful. But Hitler tions of any religion. today has a people of 70 million behind You sense the holiness of the Hall of him. We cannot tolerate that another Field Marshals. organization, which has another spirit What value have prayers and hymns, than ours, should come into existence. The swinging of incense bowls in com- National Socialism seriously lays this parison with the muffled rhythm of our claim: I am the Lord, your God, you drums when our Fuehrer ascends the shall have no other gods beside me ... steps? Our is the kingdom, because we have The sighs of the watchers extinguish a strong army (“Wehrmacht”), and the the earth, still trembling under our glory, because we are a respected people
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again, and this, if God wants it, ‘in words “the first useful outline” and then eternity’. Heil Hitler”16. sent to Joseph Goebbels.
Document 14 “Immediatel and unconditional aboli- Because of space I cannot quote fur- tion of all religions after the final vic- ther examples. Yet there are hundreds tory (‘Endsieg’) not only for the territory and thousands of documents like this. of Greater Germany but also for all All documents demonstrate clearly an released, occupied and annexed coun- agressive opposition to Jesus Christ and tries ... proclaiming at the same time to the Christian faith. All make the rea- Hitler as the new messiah. Out of politi- son for National Socialism’s unbeliev- cal considerations the Muslim, Buddhist able success clear – its religious enthu- and Shintoist religion will be spared siasm. All of the documents mentioned for the present. The ‘Führer’ has to be above were available to the public, and presented as an intermediate between had been either published or sanctioned a redeemer and a liberator, yet surely by the Party. These are no peripheral as one sent by God, who must receive idiosyncrasies, but were accessible to divine honour. The existing churches, anyone interested in reading them. One chapels, temples and cult places of the only needs to browse through the song different religions have to be changed books of the Hitler Youth, the SS or the into ‘Adolf-Hitler-consecration places’. Arbeitsdienst (Worker’s Society) to find The theological faculties of the universi- further examples. Each of these docu- ties have to be transformed according to ments speaks for itself, and is sufficient the new faith. Special emphasis has to to remind us how an antichristian reli- be laid on the education of missionaries gion propelled the world to the brink. and wandering preachers, who should I also want to assure you that the reli- proclaim the teaching in Greater Ger- gious overtone does not depend on the many and in the rest of the world and translation. The case is just the opposite: must form religious bodies, which can I find it difficult to translate the strongly be used as centers for further extension. religious overtone into English. These (With this the problems in the abolition shocking songs, prayers and confessions of monogamy will disappear, because were no secret, but part of everyday life polygamy can be included into the new in Nazi Germany. For comparison, the teaching as one of the statements of last example will be taken from a truly faith.)”18 ‘secret document’, which shows that the documents already quoted were a mild version for the public. The text is a secret document from 1943, written only for Adolf Hitler17. His signature shows that the text was approved by him with the
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Research on National is there salvation in any other” (Acts Socialism as Religion 4:12), countless believers thoughtlessly repeated the formula. National Socialism can only be suf- It is not my intention to describe the ficiently understood when its religious religious aspects of National Socialism character is perceived. As early as 1924, in detail or to prove that this defini- Carl Christian Bry classified National tion is appropriate, as I have already Socialism in his book “Verkappte Reli- presented preliminary arguments in my gionen”19 (Disguised Religions) as a article “Adolf Hitler und kein Ende”23, religious utopia capable of inducing in which I demonstrate that Hitler had a “collective insanity”. The later Ger- already formulated a definite world man Federal President Theodor Heuss view in the 1920’s, which he later put introduced the term “disguised reli- into practise, step by step. This article gion” in 1925 in the Reichtstag. In his also discloses the religio-political secret in 1931 sermon “Political Messiahs”20, sects which nourished Hitler’s ideas. the Protestant pastor Richard Karwehl Other sources have already provided demonstrated that National Socialism detailed information. Werner Ham- provided an antichristian alternative to berski, for example, discussing ‘Mein every fundamental truth of the Chris- Kampf’, writes: tian faith. In 1939, the Jewish phi- losopher Hans-Joachim Schoeps also “Hitler constantly used religious formula published an anonymous article which in his speeches and writings. He spoke described National Socialism as a dis- of receiving divine signs from Fate, and guised religion.21 Both before and dur- always claimed to act ‘in the Creator’s ing the Third Reich, voices warned that will’. In the first three chapters alone the National Socialist system was more (137 pages) of the book he uses the word than an ideology or political totalitari- ‘Fate’ 37 times in a variety of meanings anism but a religion with a comprehen- and contexts. ‘God’ is mentioned seven sive assertion. Only recently, however, times, both ‘providence’ and ‘heaven’ have historians begun to study National four times, ‘goddess’, three times. The Socialism under this aspect.22 words ‘almighty creator’, ‘Lord’ and The very conflict between Christian- ‘the gods’ appear once a piece ... From ity and National Socialism emphasizes a theological point of view, these expres- the tragic failure of Christians to heed sions belong to completely contradictory National Socialism’s religious aspect systems. The ‘almighty God’ shares his and to approach it as more than a omnipotence with the ‘will of the gods’, poltical system. The obligatory greet- the ‘wisdom of providence’ contradicts ing “Heil Hitler” should have alerted the ‘wickedness of Fate.’24 them, but in spite of the explicit Bibli- cal reference to Jesus Christ, “Neither
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Why German Churches military officers, politicians, and pastors Failed to Understand such as Niemoeller and Bonhoeffer. The National Socialism so-called ‘Confessional Church’ was a mixture of Bible-believing Christians If the Christian churches in Ger- like the Reformed Heinrich Jochums many (and in many other countries) and strong liberals like Rudolf Bult did not realize that they had been taken mann. over by a rival religion called National Beside the thoughts and actions from Socialism, which explicitly called itself conservative Lutherans, the only real a religion, how can you convince them resistance came from neo-orthodox today that they are taken over by rival Reformed theologians in Switzerland religions which deny that they are reli- and Germany and from Reformed gions, such as Socialism and Marx- Christians in the Netherlands. Karl ism25, Freemasonry26, Rudolf Steiner’s Barth was the only professor of theol- Anthroposophy27 or other forms of ogy who continued to start his lecture Humanism? with a prayer instead ‘Heil Hitler’. Nor That there was nearly no resistance was he willing to swear an oath to Hit to use this ‘German greeting’ among ler28, even though he changed his mind Christians shows the condition of later, when it was already too late29. But the German churches after hundreds Barth was deserted by the ‘Confessional of years of being influenced by the Church’, which told the Nazi State that Humanistic philosophy of Lessing, it saw no problem in swearing an oath Hegel, Goethe and others, and by the to Hitler. Only then was the Nazi State aggressive theology of higher critics ready to dismiss Barth!30 Even though like Reimarus, Strauss and Renan. The Barth is to be rejected because he denies so-called ‘free churches’ – including biblical history31, he argued for resis- the Dispensationalist churches – cried tance to the Nazi State because he saw ‘Heil Hitler’, removed converted Jews Jesus from a Reformed perspective as from their congregations and took Lord over every area of life, which is the over the ‘Führer’-principle which Hit- clear message of the otherwise mixed ler forced on all organizations. Most Declaration of Barmen. Please do not ‘free chuches’ merged into one large misunderstand me. I am not advocating denomination by order of the Nazis. Karl Barth. But to understand the situ- Many Lutheran churches did not want ation in Germany we must understand to get involved in politics, thus mis- that until the end of the sixties Barth interpreting the Lutheran teaching of was offering the most conservative eth- the two kingdoms and not taking into ics you could buy on the open market. account that the only real resistance Incidentally, the attitude of the Ger- against Hitler finally leading to that of man Dispensational churches toward 20th of July, 1944 came from Lutheran Hitler and the Jews compared to those
Pr o m u n d i s 9 Thomas Schirrmacher of the Reformed (and Lutheran) Chris- but on his naïve disappointment that tians is a striking argument against Hal the Jews did not embrace Christianity Lindsey’s rude attack that Reformed the- once the errors of medieval Catholicism ology will lead to a second holocaust32. had been removed through Reforma- Normally, it is the Dispensationalist tion teaching.34) As for Pietism, it often who will not step in for others, because based its preaching on the conscience, this would mean becoming involved in not on the Law. Pietism could easily live politics or economics. Lindsey must be without the Old Testament, although reminded that love in the Bible is to be this was never stated. measured by deeds (1 John 3,18), not by Liberal theology hated the Old Testa- nice words, proclamations or bestsel ment, and professors of Old Testament ling books. have done everything to undermine the One of the main reasons why the application of the Old Testament today, German churches did not fight against in spite of their massive studies of the Hitler’s rival religion and his Anti- text itself. Adolf von Harnack, a fore- semitism was the low view of the Old most liberal theologian and close ally of Testament. Antisemitism is only possible Emperor Wilhelm II, wrote a famous where the Old Testament and especially sentence in his book on Marcion, reject- Old Testament Law has been put aside. ing the Old Testament as the work of A love for the Old Testament and its another god: Law is the best protection against Anti- semitism. This is the major mistake “To reject the Old Testament in the of Hal Lindsay who compares Refor second century was a mistake which the med theology to National Socialism. great Church refused rightfully; to keep National Socialism hated the Old it in the sixteenth century was a fate Testament, while Reformed theology which the Reformation was not able to is surely much closer to the Old Tes- escape; but to conserve it after the nine- tament than hyper-Dispensationalist teenth century as a canonical text in Hal Lindsey. Alfred Rosenberg, Hitler’s Protestantism, was the result of a reli- agent for world view affairs, saw it the gious and ecclesiastical paralysis.”35 biggest mistake of Protestantism that Martin Luther translated and spread One of Hitler’s first actions was to the Old Testament and took an oath force the churches to get rid of their on the Old and New Testament before Jewish-Christian members. So all Jew- the Emperor in Worms in 152033. (It ish members of all churches were dis- should be remembered that, as a pro- ciplined. This took place in churches fessor of Old Testament, Luther loved where church discipline had nearly the Old Testament very much; also, totally faded! This most gigantic act of that Luther’s oft condemned “anti- church discipline in history took place Semitism” was founded, not on racism quietly and without much protest. And
10 MBS Te x t e 94 National Socialism as Religion it excommunicated Jews, that were bap- ‘the Word of God’. But still he agrees tized! Another religion had taken over with Rosenberg, writing: the churches. The theologians had prepared the “It will be the task of theology to com- way36. A typical example is Hans bine the submission to the Word of God Schlemmer, who wrote a book against with the perception which truthful- Alfred Rosenberg’s main book, some- ness demands, that the origin of the times called ‘the Bible of National canon was a rather human event and Socialism’. This meant risking his life! that the Old Testament contains not He writes that Rosenberg went too far a few unpleasant things and that its by dropping the Old Testament alto- place is far below the faith of the New gether. The Old Testament is for him Testament.”37
AnnotationAnmerkungen
1 For example the professor of German literature 7 Confession of Faith of the “Reichsarbeitsfüh- in Bonn, Hans Naumann, Rede zum Geburtstag rer” Robert Ley, quoted from Der Schulungsbrief: des Führers, Bonner Akademische Reden 27 Das zentrale Monatsblatt der NSDAP und DAF, (Bonn: Scheur, 1937), p. 17; see my disserta- 4 (1937) 4: 124. tion Hans Naumann als Volkskundler im Dritten 8 Baldur von Schirach [Ed.], Das Lied der Get- Reich, PhD-thesis (Los Angeles: Pacific Western reuen: Verse ungenannter österreichischer Hitler- University, 1990) (published in 2 vol. as Bonn: jugend aus den Jahren der Verfolgung 1933–37 Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft: Bonn, (Leipzig 1940), p. 52. 19921; in 1 vol. 20002), p. 291. 9 Song of the Reichsjugendführer in: Baldur von 2 See the literature in my article “Adolf Hitler und Schirach [Ed.], Das Lied der Getreuen, op. cit., kein Ende”, F a c t u m 6/1989, pp. 252–255. p. 7. 3 Quoted from Gerhard E. Stoll, “Gebete in pub- 10 Quoted by Joseph Wulf, Literatur und Dich- lizistischer Umgestaltung”, Publizistik 3(1958): tung im Dritten Reich (Gütersloh: Sigbert Mohn 337–352, here p. 346. The article discusses ‘secu- Verlag, 1963), p. 299. lar’ forms of German prayers used in press and 11 propaganda. Song by Ernst Leibl in: Reichsarbeitsdienst [Ed.], Lieder der Arbeitsmaiden (Potsdam 1934), 4 Gerhard E. Stoll, Gebete in publizistischer p. 34. Umgestaltung, op. cit., p. 346. 12 In: “Flammenzeichen”, cited by Johann 5 Quoted from Johann Neuhäuser, Kreuz und Neuhäuser, Kreuz und Hakenkreuz, Part 1, op. Hakenkreuz, part 1 (Munich: Verlag Katholische cit., p. 250. Kirche Bayerns, 1946), p. 261. 13 Poem by Max Storsberg in: M. Sambeth, 6 G. Sebecker, Freiheitsflammen: Verse und Sonnenlauf in Lied und Spruch, den jungen Sprüche für deutsche Helden, cited in Johann Deutschen zugeeignet, Ausgabe für Westfalen Neuhäuser, Kreuz und Hakenkreuz, op cit., p. vom 5. Schuljahr an (Halle, Dortmund, Breslau: 249. various publishers, 1941), p. 4.
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14 Reichspropagandaleitung [Ed.], Vorschläge 1989). See also: Manfred Ach, Clemes Pentrop, der Reichspropagandaleitung zur nationalsozialis- Hitlers ‘Religion’: Pseudoreligiöse Elemente im tischen Feiergestaltung (München Zentralverlag nationalsozialistischen Sprachgebrauch, Irmin- Franz Eher, n.d.). Edition 3 (München: Arbeitsgemeinschaft für 15 Taken from and put against the liturgi- Religions- und Weltanschauungsfragen, 1977 cal ending of the Lord’s prayer “Our Father in [3. ed. 1982]), for an excellent sketch of Hitler’s Heaven ...”, which is found from the second cen- religious language and his view of Christianity tury on and taken partly from Dan 2,37; cf.2Chr and religion. The collection includes a survey of 29,11–12. the literary background to National Socialism’s 16 esoteric nature and 247 quotations by Hitler on SS-Obergruppenführer Schulz, quoted from Christianity and religion. Johann Neuhäuser, Kreuz und Hakenkreuz, op. 23 cit., p. 255. Thomas Schirrmacher, Adolf Hitler und kein Ende, op. cit. 17 A so-called “Führervorlage” 24 18 Werner Hamerski, ‘Gott’ und ‘Vorsehung’ im Quoted from the photograph of the original in Lied und Gedicht des Nationalsozialismus, Pub- Der Mann, der Hitler die Ideen Wilfried Daim, lizistik 5[1960]: 280–300, here 282–283. gab (Wien: Böhlau Verlag, 1985), pp. 216–218. 25 p. 299 discusses the genuineness of the docu- For arguments for the religious character of ment. Marxism see my books Marxismus – Opium für das Volk (Schwengeler: Berneck, 1987; VKW: 19 Carl Christian Bry, Verkappte Religionen 1 2 Bonn, 1997); Säkulare Religionen: Aufsätze zum (Gotha: Perthes: Gotha, 1917 ; 1924 ; Leopold religiösen Charakter von Nationalsozialismus Klotz Verlag: Gotha, 19253); ed. by Martin 3 und Kommunismus (VKW: Bonn, 2001); and Gregor-Dellin (Lockam: Gaus: Lockham, 1964 ; my article (together with my wife Christine): “Der München: Ehrenwirth Verlag, 1979; Nördlin- Kommunismus als Lehre vom Tausendjährigen gen: Franz Greno, 1988). Reich” (Communism as teaching about the Mil- 20 Richard Karwehl, Politisches Messiastum, lennium), Factum 11/12/1986: 12–19. Zwischen den Zeiten 9[1931]: 519–543. 26 For arguments for the religious character of 21 Hans-Joachim Schoeps. “Der Nationalsozialis- Freemasonry see Hermann Neuer, Die Freimau- mus als verkappte Religion”, Eletheto 93[1939]: rer: Religion der Mächtigen (Berneck: Schwen- 93–98. geler, 19911, 19944). 22 Gary Lease, Hitler’s National Socialism as 27 For arguments for the religious character of a Religious Movement, Journal of the Ameri- Anthroposophy see my article “Reinkarnation can Academy of Religion 45[1977]: 793–838; und Karma in der Anthroposophie”, Factum Claus-E. Bärsch, Antijudaismus, Apokalyp- 11/12/1988: 473–482, now reprinted in my book tik und Satanologie: Die religiösen Elemente Im Gespräch mit dem Wanderprediger des New des nationalsozialistischen Antisemitismus, Age – und andere apologetische Beiträge (VKW: Zeitschrift für Religion- und Geistesgeschichte Bonn, 2003). 40[1988]: 112–133). On National Socialist cer- 28 Hans Prolingheuer, Der Fall Karl Barth emonies and rituals, see: Klaus Vondung, Magie 1934–1935: Chronographie einer Vertreibung und Manipulation: Ideologischer Kult und poli- (Neukirchen: Neukirchener Verlag, 1977). tische Religion des Nationalsozialismus (Göttin- gen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1971). On the 29 Ibid. This is often neglected, although Pro- cultic attitudes towards the Fuehrer, the flag, lingheuer proves it from Barth’s own writings. blood and battle, see: Hans-Jochen Gamm, Der braune Kult: Das Dritte Reich und seine Ersatz- 30 Ibid. See also my dissertation Hans Naumann religion (Hamburg: Rütten + Loening Verlag, als Volkskundler im Dritten Reich, op. cit. pp. 1962). On Hitler’s person, see: Friedrich Heer, 197–202. Der Glaube des Adolf Hitler: Anatomie einer politischen Religiosität (Frankfurt: Ullstein,
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31 I agree with the judgment of Gary North, Anfang und Ende von ‘Christian Reconstruc- Dominion and Common Grace (Tyler: Institute tion’ (1959–1995): Geschichte, Theologie und for Christian Economics: Tyler, 1987), p. 151, Aufsplitterung einer reformierten Bewegung that Barthianism believes together with antino- (Bonn: VKW, 2001). mianism that God does not speak to any specific 33 See Hans Schlemmer, Evangelische Gedanken problems in history. zu Rosenbergs ‘Mythos’ (Görlitz: Hutten-Verlag, 32 Hal Lindsey, The Road to Holocaust (New York: 1935), pp. 18–19. Bantam, 1989). See the refutations of Lindsey’s 34 See John Warwick Montgomery, “Shirer’s theories by Christian Reconstructionists in Gary Re-Hitlerizing of Luther,” in his In Defense of DeMar, The Debate over Christian Reconstruction Martin Luther (Milwaukee, Wisconsin: North- (Ft. Worth: Dominion Press, 1988; Gary DeMar, western Publishing House, 1970), especially Peter Leithart, The Reduction of Christianity (Ft. p. 147. Worth: Dominion Press, 1988); Greg L. Bahn 35 Marcion: Das Evangelium sen, Kenneth L. Gentry, House Divided (Tyler: Adolf von Harnack, vom fremden Gott Institute for Christian Economics, 1989); Steve (Leipzig, 1921), p. 248. Schlissel, David Brown, Hal Lindsey and the 36 See especially Robert P. Ericksen, Theologians Restoration of the Jews (Edmonton: Still Waters under Hitler (New Haven: Yale University Press, Revival Books: Edmonton, 1990). On Christian 1985). Reconstructionism see my history and refuta- 37 Adolf von Harnack, Marcion: Das Evangelium tion of the movement, Thomas Schirrmacher, vom fremden Gott (Leipzig, 1921), pp. 19–20.
TheÜber denAuthor Autor
Thomas Schirrmacher (born 1960) earned four doctorates in Theology (Dr. theol., 1985, Netherlands), in Cultural Anthro- pology (PhD, 1989, USA), in Ethics (ThD, 1996, USA), and in Sociology of Religions (Dr. phil., 2007, Germany) and received two honorary doctorates in Theology (DD, 1997, USA) and International Development (DD, 2006, India). He is profes- sor of ethics and world missions, as well as professor of the sociology of religion and of international development in Ger- many, Romania, USA and India, and is president of Martin Bucer Theological Seminary with 11 small campuses in Europe (including Turkey). As an international human rights expert he is board member of the Inter- national Society for Human Rights, spokesman for human rights of the World Evangelical Alliance and director of the International Institute for Religious Freedom. He is also president of Gebende Hände gGmbH (Giving Hands), an internationally active relief organisation. He has authored and edited 74 books, which have been translated into 14 languages. Thomas is married to Christine, a professor of Islamic Studies, and father of a boy and a girl.
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Studycenters outside Germany: MBS-Te x t e (MBS-Te x ts ) Studienzentrum Ankara: [email protected] Studienzentrum Innsbruck: [email protected] Pro Mundis Studienzentrum Prag: [email protected] Es erscheinen außerdem Studienzentrum Zlin: [email protected] folgende Reihen: Studienzentrum Zürich: [email protected] (The following series of MBS Martin Bucer Seminary offers part- and fulltime theo- Texts are also being published:) logical education leading to American and international degrees (B.Th.; M.Th.; Th.D; Ph.D.). Much of the teaching Reformiertes Forum is by means of Saturday seminars, evening courses, exten- (Reformed Forum) sion courses, independent study, and internships. Courses Theologische Akzente from other schools can often be transferred to MBS. (Theological Accents) The work of the seminary is largely supported by the Geistliche Impulse contributions of donors. North American supporters (Spiritual Impulses) may send contributions to our American partner orga- Hope for Europe nization, The International Institute for Christian Studies. Checks should be made out to IICS, with a note mentio- Ergänzungen zur Ethik ning MBS and sent to: (Ethics) The International Institute Philosophische Anstöße for Christian Studies: (Philosophical Initiatives) P.O. Box 12147, Overland Park, KS 66282-2147, USA Vorarbeiten zur Dogmatik EU: (Preliminaries for a Systematic IBAN DE52 3701 0050 0244 3705 07 Theology) BIC PBNKDEFF