I’m always intrigued both those who claim to be able to rewrite history, even in hypothetical form. From those who claim that Africa would be a major world power were it not for colonialism to those who claim that it was U.S. meddling in Latin America that destroyed many countries’ economies, these people seem to have an insight into history that most of us can’t claim. You would think that Marty McFly and his time-traveling DeLorean would have shown us the intricacies of altering the flow of time, but we don’t seem to have learned our lesson.
When discussing Christian non-participation in warfare, many say that a world history without Christians fighting in wars would be a story of horror after horror. Many point to Adolph Hitler as the ultimate example. “What if we hadn’t stood up to Hitler?”
It seems to me that if we’re going to play the hypothetical game with Hitler, there’s another point to be considered. What if the German Christians had refused to fight? 94% of the German population identified itself as Christian in the 1939 census. What if they had said no to nationalism? What if they had refused to be pawns in a political game? What if the church had consistently taught the preeminence of our heavenly citizenship over our earthly one?
During World War I, the Kaiser’s armies had marched into battle with belt buckles that read “God is with us.” What if Christians everywhere roundly rejected the notion that God chooses sides during war? What if the Christian church around the world had consistently taught pacifism through the centuries?
We wouldn’t have had to worry about Hitler.
Obviously, it’s folly to think we can change one aspect of history without seeing an infinite number of changes. The entire course of history would have changed long before the 20th century had Christians everywhere refused to fight. But if you want to ask “What about Hitler?” then you should be prepared to really examine the question.
Great post. In conversations where I have encountered people asking the question of what if the Allies hadn’t stopped the Axis power, I find a deistic world-view is the line of thought. That is, there isn’t enough faith in God to trust his sovereignty over all of creation. Furthermore, there is a failure to understand the historical implications (eschatology) of Jesus’ death and resurrection that tells us the future of all things…evil is destroyed, death is defeated, Christ is Lord over all, God and his people win!
Grace and Peace,
Rex
Obviously you are using the term “Christian” very loosely. Without possessing the life of Christ we should never expect Christian behavior. The mere term conveys nothing to me anymore. Even those really belonging to Christ, often do the most unchristian things.
Of course the Confessing Church did refuse. It’s always a faithful minority, it seems. Yet God is greater than all, and sovereign.
Vern,
Yes, I’m using the term loosely. Of course, had pacifism been the norm for the 20th-century church, even nominal Christians would have found it hard to fly in the face of that and still call themselves Christian.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
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People want leaders, kings, presidents, chancellors, or whatever they may call them. When the Israel wanted a king (And be like all the other nations) God warned them a king will take from the people to serve the king. He will want servants, a kingdom, an army. He will take your sons and daughters, he will tax the nation to enrich the king. But Israel wanted a king, and a king they received. Lesson learned. Germany (or any other nation) which was suffering under a great economic depression, it’s people, the nation near anarchy, deceived themselves, by wanting a strong leader who would create pride among them again. Get them working again. Hitler’s hatred and maniacal, psychotic ways were ignored by the populace in return for work, wealth, and nationalistic pride. The nation’s people, by the millions saluted their chancellor in a real religious fervor, it’s army pledge their very lives to the Fuhrer, their children learned new songs of praise to Hitler’s lordship. Yet it’s people thought they were Christian. They lost their salt, they lost their light, and after a few years it became trample on by it’s enemies. The lesson is, when we lose our jobs, our 401k’s, our houses, our health, do we get down our knees to pray, or do we blame certain political parties, politicians, immigrant groups, and become more of the world than that of a people of salt and light. Do our neighbors, friends and family see faith or a willingness to blame others for our troubles. Political parties blame others. Politicians blame others. The weak and fearful blame others. Do we join the bandwagon with those who blame or do we have faith in the one who has lifted us from this world? Who do we salute?
Ed,
It’s ironic that our government prints “In God We Trust” on our money, yet Christians don’t seem to trust God when it comes to our government.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer