Resistance of the Evangelical Church in Nazi Germany
The Evangelical Church's resistance during National Socialism involved theological and practical opposition to Nazi ideology and state control. Key figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemöller led movements such as the Confessing Church, challenging the regime's attempts to co-opt Christianity. This resistance, though met with severe repression, upheld core Christian values and significantly influenced post-war church independence and human rights advocacy.
Key Takeaways
Nazi ideology fundamentally conflicted with core Christian values.
The Confessing Church emerged as a primary resistance movement.
Resistance included theological declarations, sermons, and practical aid.
Key figures like Bonhoeffer and Niemöller faced severe persecution.
The church's resistance shaped its post-war independence and ethical stance.
What was the historical context for the Evangelical Church's resistance during National Socialism?
The Evangelical Church's resistance unfolded within the tumultuous period of National Socialism from 1933 to 1945. Following the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, the regime initiated a comprehensive Gleichschaltung, aiming to synchronize all societal sectors, including religious institutions, with its ideology. This policy sought to control the Evangelical Church for propaganda purposes, leading to the rise of the pro-Nazi 'German Christians' movement. Their efforts to merge Nazi ideology with Christianity, notably by rejecting the Old Testament, created deep ideological rifts within the church, setting the stage for significant internal conflict and external opposition.
- The Nazi regime's 1933 power seizure aimed to synchronize all societal areas, including churches.
- Reich Church Policy sought to control the Evangelical Church for propaganda.
- The 'German Christians' movement attempted to fuse Nazi ideology with Christianity, rejecting the Old Testament.
- Nazi worldview, based on racial ideology and the Führer cult, directly contradicted Christian values of charity and equality.
- Theological divisions emerged, with German Christians supporting the regime and the Confessing Church forming as a resistance.
- Church committees centralized control over the church, leading to surveillance, arrests, and concentration camp internment for resisters from 1933.
What forms of resistance did the Evangelical Church employ against the Nazi regime?
The Evangelical Church employed diverse forms of resistance against the Nazi regime, ranging from theological declarations to practical aid and passive non-cooperation. Theological resistance centered on asserting Christian doctrine against Nazi ideology, exemplified by the Barmen Theological Declaration of 1934, which affirmed Jesus Christ as the sole authority. Practical resistance involved direct actions like protecting persecuted individuals, including Jews and political opponents, and supporting broader resistance groups. Additionally, passive resistance manifested through refusing collaboration with Nazi propaganda and maintaining traditional worship services as acts of defiance. Ecumenical resistance involved international outreach to expose Nazi crimes and garner support.
- The Barmen Theological Declaration (1934) asserted Jesus Christ as the sole authority, rejecting Nazi Gleichschaltung.
- Sermons often criticized injustice, violence, and Nazi ideology, frequently leading to arrests.
- Writings and pamphlets, such as those by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, provided theological refutations of Nazi ideology.
- Protection of the persecuted included aiding Jews and political opponents with hiding places and false papers.
- Support for resistance groups involved contacts with military opposition, like the Stauffenberg circle.
- Leaflets and illegal publications disseminated information about Nazi crimes.
- Refusal of cooperation included rejecting Nazi propaganda and the 'Führer oath'.
- Worship services served as a form of protest, upholding traditions against Nazi church policy.
- International contacts with foreign churches raised awareness of Nazi crimes and sought support.
- Exile activities, supported by figures like Karl Barth, continued resistance through publications and networks.
Who were the key figures in the Evangelical Church's resistance against Nazism?
Several courageous individuals played pivotal roles in the Evangelical Church's resistance against Nazism, often at great personal cost. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a theologian and martyr, became a key figure in the Confessing Church, developing an ethics of resistance that justified active opposition to injustice. Martin Niemöller, a founder of the Confessing Church and the Pastors' Emergency League, was imprisoned for his critical sermons. Karl Barth, a highly influential theologian, authored the Barmen Declaration and continued his resistance from exile. Other notable figures like Hanns Lilje and Margarete Meusel also contributed significantly, demonstrating varied forms of defiance.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian and martyr, a key figure of the Confessing Church, known for works like 'The Cost of Discipleship'.
- Bonhoeffer engaged in political resistance, participating in plans to eliminate Hitler, leading to his arrest in 1943 and execution in 1945.
- His 'Ethics of Resistance' justified active action against injustice.
- Martin Niemöller founded the Pastors' Emergency League and was a leading figure of the Confessing Church.
- Niemöller was imprisoned from 1937 until 1945 in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps for critical sermons.
- He is known for the famous quote, 'First they came for the Communists…'.
- Karl Barth, the main author of the Barmen Declaration, was a significant theological opponent of Nazi ideology.
- Barth continued his resistance from exile in Switzerland through writings and sermons.
- Hanns Lilje, a bishop and Confessing Church member, resisted despite arrests.
- Margarete Meusel, a pastor, was involved in rescuing Jews and documenting Nazi crimes.
Which organizations were central to the Evangelical Church's resistance?
Several organizations were central to the Evangelical Church's resistance against the Nazi regime, providing structure and coordination for opposition efforts. The Confessing Church, founded in 1934, emerged as the primary body defending Christian doctrine, supporting persecuted pastors, and organizing resistance activities. It operated as a decentralized network of congregations and pastors, maintaining its activism despite severe repression. The Pastors' Emergency League, established in 1933, offered crucial financial and legal support to pastors facing persecution and coordinated protest actions. Furthermore, the broader Ecumenical Movement facilitated international networking, allowing foreign churches to exert pressure on the Nazi regime and disseminate information about its atrocities.
- The Confessing Church, founded in 1934, aimed to defend Christian doctrine and support persecuted pastors.
- It organized resistance activities through a network of congregations and pastors, remaining active despite repression.
- The Pastors' Emergency League, founded in 1933, provided financial support and legal advice.
- It coordinated protest actions against the regime.
- The Ecumenical Movement fostered international networking with foreign churches, including the World Council of Churches.
- This movement exerted pressure on the Nazi regime and disseminated reports about Nazi crimes to international partners.
How did the Nazi regime repress the Evangelical Church's resistance?
The Nazi regime employed brutal methods to repress the Evangelical Church's resistance, aiming to crush dissent and enforce ideological conformity. Persecution and imprisonment were common, with hundreds of pastors, including prominent figures like Bonhoeffer and Niemöller, incarcerated in concentration camps. Resistance fighters faced execution, as seen with Bonhoeffer. The Gestapo maintained pervasive surveillance, particularly over sermons, leading to arrests for any critical remarks. Churches that resisted Nazi policies were often closed or forcibly placed under the control of the 'German Christians.' The regime also used psychological warfare, threats, and slander to divide congregations and pressured pastors into forced membership with pro-Nazi groups.
- Hundreds of pastors, including Bonhoeffer and Niemöller, were imprisoned in concentration camps.
- Resistance fighters, such as Bonhoeffer, faced execution.
- The Gestapo conducted sermon control, leading to arrests for critical preaching.
- Congregations resisting Nazi policy were closed or placed under the 'German Christians'.
- Psychological warfare, threats, and slander were used to divide congregations.
- Pastors were pressured into forced membership with the 'German Christians'.
What were the lasting impacts and legacy of the Evangelical Church's resistance?
The Evangelical Church's resistance left profound and lasting impacts, shaping its post-war identity and broader societal discourse. The Stuttgart Confession of Guilt in 1945, initiated by figures like Niemöller, marked a crucial reflection on the church's complicity and passivity during the Nazi era. This period strengthened the church's resolve to maintain independence from state control and fostered closer international cooperation through the Ecumenical Movement. The legacy includes the remembrance of martyrs like Bonhoeffer, who serve as moral exemplars, and a deeper theological engagement with ethics and responsibility. Societally, the resistance spurred discussions about the church's role and encouraged a more critical stance towards authority, leading to increased engagement in human rights and justice.
- The Stuttgart Confession of Guilt (1945) reflected on the church's complicity and passivity during the Nazi era.
- Initiators of the confession included Niemöller and Asmussen.
- The resistance strengthened the church's determination to remain independent from state control.
- It fostered closer international cooperation among churches through the Ecumenical Movement.
- Martyrs of the church, like Bonhoeffer, became enduring role models.
- Theological development intensified, leading to a deeper engagement with ethics and responsibility.
- Societal discussions emerged regarding the church's role and a more critical attitude towards authorities.
- The period led to a stronger commitment to justice and human rights engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Confessing Church?
The Confessing Church was a Protestant movement founded in 1934 that resisted Nazi attempts to control the church. It defended traditional Christian doctrine against Nazi ideology and supported persecuted pastors, forming a network of opposition.
Who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a prominent German theologian and key figure in the Confessing Church. He actively resisted Nazism, participating in plots against Hitler, which led to his imprisonment and execution in 1945. His writings on Christian ethics remain influential.
How did the Nazis repress the church?
The Nazi regime repressed the church through arrests, imprisonment in concentration camps, and executions of resistant clergy. They also used Gestapo surveillance, closed dissenting congregations, and employed propaganda and intimidation to enforce conformity and divide church members.
