The German “Sermon on the Mount”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 208, 30 May 1936, Page 20

The German “Sermon on the Mount”

4 4 1 -ICHSBISIIOI’ MULLER, the nominal head of the German | J Protestant Church, has written a Germanised version of the Sermon on the Mount, which is reviewed by Dr. Otto Dibelius Ji in the Evangelical organ, ‘Junge Kirehe.’” writes the Berlin correspondent of "The Times.” "The following is the Germanised version of St. Matthew v„ 3-11. 17-22, 25-2(5, 38-39, vii, 20-23: “‘Happy is he who bears his sufferings manfully. He will find the strength never to despair. “‘Happy is he who always acts as a good comrade. He will get on well in- the world. “'Happy are they who keep the peace with their Volksgenossen (fellowmitionals) : they do God's will. “‘Happy are they who live and work honourably and faithfully, who yet find themselves persecuted and defamed —-they have the fellowship of God. “‘You carry it in your blood and your fathers have taught it to you: "‘You shall not assassinate. Such a murderer is guilty and must be condemned to death. “‘You must, however, recognise and make it clear to yourselves that the perpetration of murder is the result of an inner development which begins with ill-will, envy and hate. “‘Whoever allows such feelings to rise within him already makes him<elf guilty. “‘But whoever pursues his own Volksgenossen with such feelings, such ,-i one is particularly guilty. “ ‘But whoever attempts to destroy him morally or threatens him in deed, he destroys the Volksgemeinsehaft and makes himself deserving of the severest punishment from God and man. “ ‘Do not be unforgiving to your Volksgenossen with whom you are at enmity. Do not push your quarrel so far that it is impossible to come again to any understanding and agreement. “ ‘One single deed of genuine, comradely understanding is worth more In God's eyes than any matter-of-course church-going.

"'This is in accordance with natural human feelings. "As you do to me. so I do to you.” Or “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” That is according to human experience. “ ‘I say unto yon : It is better for Volksgenossen to live together in such u way that they get on together. “‘Volksgemeinsehaft is a high and holy thing, for whose sake you mm I make sacrifices. “ ‘lf your comrade in excitement strikes you in the face, it is not always right immediately to strike him in return. It is more manly to maintain a quiet hearing. Probably your comrade will then feel ashamed. “ ‘Thus you will recognise your teachers and preachers, if they always exert themselves to live as they teach, and if they care for your souls like good comrades and faithful helpers. “ ‘But if they are only makers of words, and it' to them the teachings about God and His Kingdom are more important than God Himself, they will not be "f help to you. but will lead you into error. “‘He who carries God’s words only in his mouth is no true messenger of God. “ ‘But whoever exerts himself honourably to translate God's will into deeds, he is a true soldier of God, and a true messenger of the glorious news of God's fatherly love. “‘Many will say to me: Have we not always taught the pure message? Have we not always propounded the Scripture rightly? Have we not always done great deeds in Thy name and honour? “‘I must say to you then: I have never had anything to do with you. Remove yourselves from My presence, you makers of words.’ “An excellent sermon.” comments "The Times” correspondent, “but, as Dr. Dibelius would say, most of it is not in the Bible. He observes that all references to fhe Jewish Old Testament are omitted, and at every possible opportunity references to blood, comradeship, honour, and Volksgemeinsehaft are put into Christ’s mouth. “It may be noted also that forgiveness and humility find no place in Dr. Muller’s version of the Sermon, possibly because these virtues are considered out of the harmony with the spirit of the Third Reich.”