01-29-13 From Heil Hitler to Pastor In Chief?
Have you ever said something and then thought about it? I sure have and on occasion the words have cost dearly. The other day a noted Evangelical, in a moment of emotion stated concerning the slaying at Newtown, titled President Obama “Pastor in Chief.” Needless to say a firestorm erupted, and rightly so.
A political leader was considered “Pastor in Chief” on January 25, 1934, in Berlin, Germany. Adolph Hitler was ranting at the gathered clergy, and in the midst of tirade said,
“I will protect the German people. You take care of the church. You pastors should worry about getting people to heaven and leave this world to me.” Colson, God & Government 154
The tirade lasted a while longer. As Hitler left the gathering he shook hands with Pastor Martin Niemoller, who looked the Fuhrer in the eye and said, “A moment ago, Herr Hitler, you told us that you would take care of the German people. But as Christians and men of the church we too have a responsibility for the German people, laid upon us by God. Neither you nor anyone else can take that away from us.” Colson, God & Government 154
In spite of Andy Stanley’s explanation he hadn’t really thought about giving away the sacred to the secular.
On July 14, 1933 the Fuhrer contemptuously said about pastors, “They will betray anything for the sake of their miserable little jobs and incomes.” Colson, God & Government 148
I pray times have changed for the better.
Copyright © 2013 Larry Lilly
Dr. Don Boys has an interesting article on this at Don Boys Calls Andy Out.
Have you ever said something and then thought about it? I sure have and on occasion the words have cost dearly. The other day a noted Evangelical, in a moment of emotion stated concerning the slaying at Newtown, titled President Obama “Pastor in Chief.” Needless to say a firestorm erupted, and rightly so.
A political leader was considered “Pastor in Chief” on January 25, 1934, in Berlin, Germany. Adolph Hitler was ranting at the gathered clergy, and in the midst of tirade said,
“I will protect the German people. You take care of the church. You pastors should worry about getting people to heaven and leave this world to me.” Colson, God & Government 154
The tirade lasted a while longer. As Hitler left the gathering he shook hands with Pastor Martin Niemoller, who looked the Fuhrer in the eye and said, “A moment ago, Herr Hitler, you told us that you would take care of the German people. But as Christians and men of the church we too have a responsibility for the German people, laid upon us by God. Neither you nor anyone else can take that away from us.” Colson, God & Government 154
In spite of Andy Stanley’s explanation he hadn’t really thought about giving away the sacred to the secular.
On July 14, 1933 the Fuhrer contemptuously said about pastors, “They will betray anything for the sake of their miserable little jobs and incomes.” Colson, God & Government 148
I pray times have changed for the better.
Copyright © 2013 Larry Lilly
Dr. Don Boys has an interesting article on this at Don Boys Calls Andy Out.
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