CHRISTIANITY IN GERMANY.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 27, Issue 7, 1 July 1937, Page 2

CHRISTIANITY IN GERMANY.

The Church Times managed, to get hold of a copy of the message read m all Lutheran Churches on Easter Day, and a moving document it is. The Lutherans, like the Roman Catholics, are finding it dangerous to property, liberty and life to be loyal

to our Lord, and both parties seem to be splendidly steadfast. It is not m the least cynical to suggest that a touch of persecution would do us a lot of good m this country. But that is not likely to happen. The Church is not dangerous enough.

The Easter message refers to "a world of death. Day by day the vast war preparations, born of fear among all nations," bring close to us this threat of death, and the effort is made to overcome death "by attributing eternal values to that which is transitory and perishable."

But Christ has robbed death of its power. "Jesus of Nazareth, Whom the Jews crucified, has risen and become Lord. This is no Mythus, but the reality on which the world rests. This is no Weltansschauung born of man, but the message of God whereby we have our life. Thanks to this message, we have peace m God; the lordship of death and of the devil is destroyed for us, and we are released from all fear and servitude.

"First and foremost, the congregations must realise that the victory of the Church is not a matter which stands m doubt. . . . Victory is theirs now, even while they suffer. . . . We remember, therefore, m prayer all our persecuted and imprisoned members, full of thankfulness that God has given us the victory. We commend our brothers and sisters m concentration camps and m prisons to the Lord Who is the victor. We pray to God that m our days He shall make His Name glorious through them. We remember before Him the Pastors and Church members who have been expelled from their parishes, and the congregations where, owing to such expulsions, there is no longer any proper arrangement for preaching the Word of God.

"Just as the world accused Jesus Christ of political intrigue, so even today, with His disciples, men and women, the world finds some accusation to bring against them as Christians. We are not dependent on the judgment of the world. Those who are punished remain our brothers m Christ. We must, however, bear witness to the world that what they do against our brothers and sisters they do against the Lord of Glory. We have to bear heavy anxiety for our brothers and sisters. From the

human standpoint, we can do. little for them, nor do we know who next may be called upon to sacrifice his honour, liberty, and earthly existence for the Name of Christ and for His Word. Obedience to God's Word demands us to draw the attention of oup congregations to the fact that all who believe m Christ must suffer much from the world. We shall not be able to save them, any more than we can safeguard ourselves. But we freely proclaim that all persecution for Christ's sake is a sign of the victory which He has won. That gives us gladness m the midst of our weakness. In all this we bear no hate to the world. For God has loved the world. He has reconciled the world with Himself, and not imputed to them their sins. We know that the world which persecutes suffers more than Christendom which is persecuted. Therefore, we take pains to bring them the good news of their own deliverance.

"To God, Who wills the help of all men, we pray as earnestly for . the world as we pray for our own salvation from the world. We must not allow ourselves to be driven into the role of fugitives, who, after a lost battle, are glad to have retained their lives. It is not for us to excuse ourselves before the world that we are still Christians. It is for us to bear witness to the world that Jesus Christ is victor. With boldness we must remind the children of the world that they will have to render account why they refused to submit to Christ.

"If we confidently believe the joyful message that Christ is risen and lives for ever, then neither can we allow our business m the Church to be dictated to us by the world. For a long time it has been the enemy's tactics to spring new cries upon the Church, so that all her resources seem to be demanded to meet the situation of the moment, and they are wasted on efforts which help but little; whereas she should cling to the one thing which is really necessary."

An enumeration follows of the many efforts made m the last four years by the Confessional Church; the bringing together of those who seriously sought to be Christians, which resulted m the Confessional communities; pastors' and laymen's re-

treats, to seek guidance and the arming of the spirit; their own : teaching arrangements, because "religious instruction m the schools frequently brings the Gospel into contempt, and breaks down the. teaching of the Church." The Confessional Church had had itself to provide for theological training and institute seminaries and pastors' colleges. In general, fresh life began to flow into .the Church. A long exhortation follows against the "Church-iPolitical" affairs of the moment, e.g., the elections, to distract attention from, the daily task of preaching and teaching, of full services and public administration of the. Sacraments, etc.. The best and cleverest Church policy cannot avail if these are neglected. The fate of the Church and of . congregations depends finally on the daily work of the individual congregation, and this task of Christ is laid upon laity and clergy together. All Church members, m their home and m their calling, m private and m public life, must play their part as disciples of Jesus. : "If m this time of stress for the Church, men who are not actual pastors find themselves called upon publicly to preach God's Word, they must have no fear. Persecution may indeed threaten them, such as brought the Chairman of the Glogau Council of Brethren, Herr Bunke, into a concentration camp; for the State cannot concede to the laity to speak m. the same way as pastors, on account of their office, may still be allowed to do. There is a common priesthood of all the faithful, which entitles a layman who is forced into such work the assurance of God's help, and m such cases the congregations should support him." • An appeal follows for the full and proper use of the Sacraments and of Baptism, for a renewed "spiritual discipline." This m itself would be the best safeguard against the abuse of the vote by those who deny God. "The Church has too long neglected m good time to find its way back to the discipline incumbent upon her. In true penitence, therefore, let us no longer hesitate about it. "Let there be no doubt about it, that we are not united m the same Church with those who place an earthly salvation before an eternal

one, and who honour blood and soil, historical events and political philosophy as forces m which salvation can be found! Take care that baptism is not administered m such families who have long broken away from their Christian faith; take care that false brethren do not slip 'into our Church and enslave it to alien powers." An exhortation follows to build up the Divine Services anew m face of the destructive forces to which the Church has now for a long time been exposed. "In opposition to the impious attempts to silence the voice of the congregations m ?the matter of Church control, the congregations and their office-holders : together must devote all possible attention and trouble to the question, conscious that God Himself will bring to light to whom shall be entrusted the Government of the Church. "From the beginning of its struggle, the Confessional Church has been able to rejoice m the brotherly love and intercessions of Christians and Churches among all nations. Their greetings have been an encouragement to us to look to the Word of God alone.) They have made us certain that the Lord of Life unites us m the assurance of His glory m which he gives us all to share. "We greet our brothers m Christ throughout the world: As the Unknown and yet known: As the dying and behold we live; As the chastised and yet not slain; As the mourners but for ever glad; As thfr poor but they who make many rich; As they who possess nothing and yet have all. "We greet our pastors and congregations m the unity of the Faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ says to us: 'I live and ye also shall live." 5