Age of Ideologies I

1. Age of Ideologies I WWII: Pius XII, Dietrich Bonhöffer, Corrie Ten Boom

2. Post WWI Christianity • 1914 World War I started • 1918 World War I ended, leaving a much changed Europe • Post WWI Europe suffered a massive dechristianization • The Roman Catholics responded with increased ties to the state, and various social programs, to some good effect • The protestant churches were a bit more shaken, and due to weaker ties with the state less able to respond

3. Post WWI Christianity • Especially in Central Europe, Germany was the worst destroyed by WWI and had previously been the center for the majority of European missions work • Britain was also discouraged and subjected to great losses in WWI • In both churches the rise in intellectualism marked a moving away of scholars from Christianity

4. WWII Roman Catholicism • 1933 Hitler and the Nazi party took majority control in the government • The RCC had long been seeking a concordat (legitimizing agreement) with Germany in order to maintain influence • Shortly after Hitler’s rise to power a concordat was signed laying out various benefits and concessions on both parts • The most important were, freedom of religion, clerics not involved in political parties, and no state interference in RCC organizations

5. WWII Roman Catholicism • The Reichskonkordat was negotiated by Cardinal Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli who was shortly to become pope Pius XII • The concordat gave legitimacy to the Nazi party allowing an even greater control of the government to fall to them • Some use the above as an excuse to blame Hitler and WWII on the RCC • The problems in the concordat were understood, but seen as unavoidable

6. WWII Roman Catholicism • Pius XI published “Mit Brennender Sorge” “With Burning Concern” decrying Germany’s abuse of the Reichskonkordat • Cardinal Pacelli became Pope Pius XII on his 63rd birthday, March 2, 1939 • Despite his having formerly worked with them, the Nazi's complained about Pius XII • When the war began he tried to maintain the traditional neutrality of the RCC • He did speak out somewhat against the Nazi’s and anti-semitism, but never directly called for action against them

7. WWII Roman Catholicism • The RCC’s record during WWII is rather hit and miss, sometimes doing great deeds, other time neglecting great needs • The pope never would take an open stand against the Nazis but did try to obtain passports and aid some Jewish emigration • After WWII the Pius XII and the RCC’s role in the war was greatly criticized • Pius was accused of being Hitler’s puppet, criticized for his lack of involvement, and his acceptance of the Ustase’s war crimes

8. WWII Roman Catholicism • Pius XII had other influences on the RCC • He exercised papal infallibility in declaring the doctrine of the assumption of Mary • Called the Great Consistory and ended the 400 year long majority of Italian Cardinals • Published an Encyclical titled Humani Generis, explaining the RCC v. Evolution • Died in 1958 under the administrations of a quack, who also botched his embalming • 1999 the RCC appointed the ICJHC to investigate the conduct in WWII, they were inconclusive

9. WWII Protestantism • Protestantism being inherently more divided than Catholicism, they suffered greater losses during the inter-war period • When the Nazis took power they also tried to take control of the church, they formed the National Reich Church by conglomerating the protestants together • The Nazis attempted to make a puppet church that was merely another platform for popular indoctrination

10. WWII Protestantism • Through a process called “positive Christianity” they tried to emphasize the Aryan Jesus and deemphasize his Jewishness • While most churches went along with it, generally loving nation above God, the “Confessing Church” went underground

12. Dietrich Bonhöffer • Born 1906 in Breslau Germany, the 6th of 8 children in an upper middle class family • Wanted to be a minister from an early age • Got his doctorate in theology from the University of Berlin, then studied at Union Theological in New York • While in New York he came to enjoy the “African-American Spiritual” • Returned to Germany in 1931, pastored for a time, and was resistant to the Nazis

13. Dietrich Bonhöffer • 1931 Along with Martin Niemöller and Karl Barth he set up the “Bekennende Kirche” or “Confessing Church” • Taught in various underground seminaries training German pastors • Emphasized that Nazi ideology must be resisted and the Jews must be helped • Before the war he went to the U.S.A. so that he wouldn’t have to fight, but realized his place was in Germany with his people • 1939 he joined a group of conspirators who were trying to assassinate Hitler

14. 1943 money used to help Jews escape was traced to him and he was imprisoned • In 1944 the failed July 20 Plot revealed Bonhöffer’s connections to the conspiracy • He was moved through various prison/concentration camps • 1945 in Flossenbürg he was executed by hanging, his brother and two brothers in law were also executed for their part in the conspiracy to assasinate Hitler • His major literary contribution to today is his book The Cost of Discipleship

15. Corrie Ten Boom • Born April 15, 1892 in Amsterdam • Grew up in a strong Christian home, greatly influenced by her father • Became the fist licensed woman watchmaker in the Netherlands • During WWII her family actively hid many Jews helping them to escape • Her entire family was arrested, her father died, and she and her sister were sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp

16. Corrie Ten Boom • Her sister died very shortly before Corrie was released • Corrie began an international ministry speaking and teaching about Christ • A movie “The Hiding Place” was based on her autobiography • She died on her 91st birthday in 1983 • You can listen to her at http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=14

17. Hitler’s Christianity • Some try and claim that Hitler was a Christian, many Christians claim Hitler was an atheist • He was probably primarily atheistic and “Christian” in formality also because it gave him influence, obviously, he was not actually a Christian • In any case Hitler was a rather notorious liar