Likely, you would not tell anyone that you love Hitler or that you think he did a lot of good for the Church. However, that’s exactly how many Christians felt in the 1930’s in Nazi Germany. They were unashamed of their support for Hitler and vocal in their support of him. Looking back on how things turned out, this seems hard to imagine, yet millions of Christians were deceived and gladly followed the Führer down the path of one of the most murderous regimes in recent history.  

Understanding how the church in Germany was led astray by the political ambitions of Hitler and the Nazi Party serves as a helpful warning and corrective for our churches today. One of the most profound books in helping Christians obtain a proper perspective between politics and their faith is Erwin Lutzer’s book, “Hitler’s Cross, How the Cross Was Used To promote the Nazi Agenda”

In this podcast, I want to highlight a few powerful quotes from the book and think through Lutzer’s analysis of the Church in Nazi Germany and what that means for us today.

First, we must admit that we are often blind to the way our own political realities impact our faith and our gospel mission. That is why it is helpful to study history and see how the church responded, whether good or bad to different situations. History quickly shows us whether or not these responses were in line with God’s Word. Furthermore, since we are not in that immediate context and not wooed by any particular candidate or political party of that time and place, it can be easier for us to spot the, sometimes subtle, breaking from Biblical truth in order to align with a political movement. Here we must be careful, our tendency is to judge quickly and harshly, and yet fail to bring the application forward to our present time. In this Luzter helps us to see how we may be following some of the same misguided steps as the church in Nazi Germany nearly 100 years ago.

Erwin Lutzer sets the scene with the following statement:

From my study I have concluded that the church in Germany appeared to be too preoccupied with the problems of the nation to see what was happening before its eyes. The religion of blood and soil had replaced the religion of humility and prayer. Though burdened with unemployment and the physical hardship of its dejected people, the church, for the most part, still refused to repent and turn wholly to God. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 1,123}

The church overlooked the fact that the fight against Nazism was essentially not political but spiritual. The church mistook the temporal benefits of the swastika for the spiritual benefits of the cross of Christ. Wanting to believe that Hitler was the answer, it forgot what the really important questions were. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 1,586}

Why is this important? Throughout history, there has often been the temptation to confuse the promise of temporary “salvation” with political success, personal prosperity, and governmental greatness. This confusion has led the church down the road of military conquest instead of preaching the gospel. Don’t get me wrong, often these political movements are couched in Christian language and even promote some Biblical morals. What starts as a way to “bring back the Bible or conservative values into a nation, ends with a government that violently stamps out individual liberties in the name of God. Worse, it results in a church who trades the greatness of eternal salvation for the relative greatness of their temporal government. The Church loses interest in sharing the gospel and, honestly, would be ineffective even if they tried. All because their affections are not placed on their eternal hope in Christ but rather on their temporal desire for a king, president, or other ruler.

This is at its root a gospel issue. How can the church remain faithful in times of political turmoil? How can she keep the gospel message at the front and filter out predominant political pressures to align with a certain group? The answer to that question is in fact, quite simple.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:19-21

The treasure principle is central here. If you and I are quietly treasuring the temporal things of this life over the eternal treasures of the gospel we will be very likely to walk down the road of political Christianity. The problem is that often the treasures of the heart are quietly protected by the comforts of this life. As long as there’s money in the bank and food on the table, as long as we can get in and out of our Sunday morning service without too much discomfort, as long as life is more or less going along smoothly, then we can often get away with treasuring something or someone other than Christ and few will notice.

However, bring in some financial problems, add political turmoil, sprinkle over that the promises of renewed greatness, stability, and a return the good old days, and you will quickly find that people’s treasures will expose themselves and cause divisions even in the church. This was exactly the case in Nazi Germany in the 1930s

Peter explains that perishable (temporal) things can not purchase our salvation. This truth is vital in protecting us from the temporal temptations offered by passionate politicians today.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. - 1 Peter 1:18-19

The Church was deceived

Ultimately, the vast majority of churches and Christians in Nazi Germany were decieved by the poltical rhetoric of Hitler and willing, even gladly supported him. How did this deception of temporal salvation look in Nazi Germany?

Lutzer gives us the following insights:

A strong Germany, they thought, meant a strong church. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 1,592}

Christians stood for the greatness of Germany, for its military might and prominence. They longed for a return to the good old days when a monarch ruled, order was restored, and victories were plentiful. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 1,619}

All that was expected of good Christians was to help Germany become great. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 1,634}

Every true Christian is for Hitler. I know for it was from the Christians I got most of my information, and right or wrong they endorse Adolf Hitler. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 1,646 (A quote taken from Oswald J. Smith, 1936)}

Even when Hitler’s agenda finally became clear, they were not willing to suffer for a gospel that they had long since abandoned. They were more interested in the miracles of a revived Germany than in the miracles on the pages of the New Testament. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 1,648}

It’s easy to think that you and I would have quickly recognized Nazi Germany in the 1930s as an evil government. However, we must remember that many, if not most Christians, saw Hitler as a leader who would promote Christianity, strengthen the church and bring in the 3rd Reich, (Think Kingdom of God) They saw Hitler as a fulfillment to the Lord’s prayer, “Your Kingdom come...”

Hitler played well to the Christians in Germany, after all, Germany was 95% Christian at the time. Below are a few quotes from various speeches.

My feeling as a Christian points me to my Lord and Saviour as a fighter. _{(Adlolf Hitler, Munich speech of April 12, 1922)}

The National Government will regard it as its first and foremost duty to revive in the nation the spirit of unity and co-operation. It will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built. It regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life.... _{(Adlolf Hitler, Berlin: Proclamation To The German Nation -- February 1, 1933)} ‍

I do not merely talk of Christianity, no, I also profess that I will never ally myself with the parties which destroy Christianity. _{(Adlolf Hitler, Stuttgart -- Speech of February 15, 1933)}

In the same way, the Government ..., which regards Christianity as the unshakable foundation of the morals and moral code of the nation. _{(Adlolf Hitler, Berlin, Reichstag -- Speech of March 23, 1933)}

Hitler wooed the church, and the church happily followed believing that a mere man could ensure their success and bring in God’s Kingdom.

A Choice Had To Be Made

When Christians began to see that Hitler was not following the Bible or Christ’s command to love your neighbor they were faced with a choice, identify the sin and break paths with the accepted political rhetoric, or remain silent and go along with it so as not to bring any harm to the good standing they had already obtained by following the party line.

Whether in Nazi Germany or America today, believers cannot choose to remain silent under the guise of preaching the gospel. Sharing the gospel is, of course, our primary responsibility since it is only the cross of Christ that can transform the human heart. But once we have received the gift of salvation through Christ, we must live out the implications of the Cross in every area of our lives. In fact, our very right to preach the gospel will be in jeopardy if we are not prepared to submit to the lordship of Christ in all spheres. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 1,679}

Those who dutifully accepted the excesses of the Nazi regime, but simply continued to study the Bible to maintain a warm heart, are to be commended for getting it half right. Certainly they were much more effective than those who ceased to study their Bibles and enthusiastically endorsed the regime. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 1,685}

Lutzer then goes on to explain how Hitlers strategy worked. Government lies turned to government laws limiting the church, which turned into government demand to worship the Fuhrer and lord.

As we in America move toward arbitrary sociological laws, the state will expand its powers and the church will be expected either to go along with the changes or face the consequences. Antichrist, like Hitler, will also transform his world by changing the laws. Daniel 7:25 says that he will “make alterations in times and in law.” Like Hitler he will begin with lies, then make laws, and finally be worshiped as lord. His control will be expanded both in numbers and invading the details of ordinary living. He will be another Hitler, more powerful, more believable, more blasphemous, more cruel. _{Hitler’s Cross, KindleLocation: 2,159}

The Consequences For Those Who Remained Faithful

There were those who stood strong in the Gospel and didn’t bend their knee to the political pressures around them Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of them. In the early thirties Bonhoeffer began to take his stand, a stand that was firmly planted in gospel truth and not in political parties.

After Hitler became chancellor in 1933, Bonhoeffer was even more direct in his criticism of the Nazi regime and the failure of the church to stand against political interference. Bonhoeffer marveled _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 2,790}

...at how easily people confused political success with spiritual success. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 2,799}

The lesson we learn from Bonhoeffer is that persecution came first from the Church its self and not from the government. The Nazi state has so infiltrated the minds and hearts of church leaders that the government officials hardly had to do a thing, they just let the German Church squeeze Bonhoeffer out.

He found himself increasingly isolated as a lecturer at the university. Amid the tide of rising Nazism, he was rejected for the pastorate. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 2,964}

When we boldly stand for the truth of the gospel whether or not it is in line with the political viewpoints of the day, we can expect that it will be elements within the predominant church that will first persecute us and try to silence us or get rid of us.

What Is The Danger For The American Church?

We must be careful not to draw straight lines between churches in 1930’s German and contemporary evangelicals in the US. Nevertheless, we must be honest and admit that there are strings that find there way from Nazi German to us today. What may seem only a slight deviation from the course can result in the church ending up at a destination she never intended upon.

So were do we look for true power, where do we find our source of hope, and to whom are our affections fixed? These questions must be asked and carefully considered lest our churches lose their way and are pulled off course by the cords of political rhetoric and a promise of a renewed and more Christian nation.

Lutzer puts it this way.

The American church, like that of Nazi Germany, is in danger of wrapping the Cross of Christ in some alien flag. There is evidence, I am sorry to say, that we evangelicals have lost our confidence in the gospel as “the power of God for salvation.” _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 2,971}

Some political activists have filled the Christian bottle with a strategy for political reform. Salvation, it appears, is electing conservatives to national and local office. Important though this might be, we must always remember that God is neither Republican nor Democrat. When the Cross is wrapped in the flag of a political party, it is always distorted or diminished. Even for some who have experienced its power, the Cross has become an addendum to what is thought to be more pressing agendas. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 3,148}

We can organize a moral crusade, raise a flag, and work with anyone who will salute it. But let us not be so naive as to think that this is America’s great hope. Darkness can only be dispelled by light, and light comes through the gospel of God’s grace. Let us never forget that the world’s greatest need is always to see Jesus, to understand why He alone can reconcile us to God. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 3,154}

America’s great hope will never be found in the next president or political movement. The Church must find herself always in tension between the temporal and the eternal. We will stand for what is right, what is good, and what is Biblical but in the end we know that the true path to righteousness can never be found through political means. Thus, we must stand a few steps back making sure that the temporal does not distract us from our eternal gospel mission.

And if the choice should be between winning our “cultural war” and maintaining our commitment to a pure gospel, we must let the cultural battles take second place so that the Cross gets a hearing in the hearts of men and women. _{Hitler’s Cross, Kindle Location: 3,194}

By taking that step back, by making the culture war second it will allow us to engage with people from all different political stripes. It gives us the freedom as sons and daughters of God to walk freely between political camps rather than putting up makeshift walls and huddling with others who also prefer our flavor of politics.

The message of the Cross will not be received unless it is wrapped in the life of an authentic believer. The world must see our “good deeds” before they will listen to our “good words.” Many Americans think they don’t know anyone personally who is a born-again Christian. They don’t know anyone who is pro-life and yet loves women who have had abortions. They think they haven’t met anyone who is opposed to homosexual values yet loves homosexuals. They have never met anyone who would oppose an occult curriculum in the public schools and yet be a genuinely caring individual. In point of fact, they do likely know such a person, but he or she has remained silent for fear of being thought a fanatic or religious nut.

Conclusions

1. The culture war is not the gospel

The culture war can easily lead the church into a battle that is not theirs to fight. We may feel like we are finally seeing some results, it may make the country more comfortable for us to live in but ultimately it does not bring people to Christ, it has no ability to offer real hope. Sin is still there, just hidden a little better.

We must keep this at the forefront of our minds and hearts.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. - Ephesians 6:12

2. We must be focused on the eternal

In order not to be deceived into falling for temporal salvation, we must have our minds and hearts firmly fixed on Christ and the eternal realities of the gospel.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2‍

We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, - 2 Corinthians 4:18

3. We should expect pushback even from within the church

When we don’t give in to the political pressures in the church, we can expect persecution from within. This is exactly what Jesus experienced from the Pharisees and what Bonhoeffer experienced from the German Church.

In the end, the best way to keep our gospel witness powerful is by giving less attention to the political rhetoric and more attention to gospel truths, keeping Christ and the center and looking for a city whose founder and maker is God Himself!

16 Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. ... 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. - Heb 11:16, 37-40