Further reading for tomorrow

Alright, so I'm not sure why I'm reading about China? Am I not paying close enough attention? I understand there was a conference but who is Dr. Michaelis? So I'm not going to write much about this, because I don't understand what I just read. As far as I gather, there was a conference in Peking in 1923 where Christians gather to talk about the war (WWI). Christians were called to not participate in any future wars. Apparently, Christians from (I'm assuming) Germany, France, England and Italy refused to make such a promise since they saw war as a way to promote peace and to end international disputes. Then some how, the structure of China comes up? I'm not sure why, but the YMCA is mentioned a few times. I'm hoping class discussion proves helpful tomorrow. That's all on that.

Now, regarding Harnack.
This guy seems pretty interesting. He's a German Theologian and he writes this letter to Americans. I'm not quite sure what he's calling them to do...or is it even a call? Is it a letter of disappointment? Is he asking for support. I never quite got the point. Is it a call to intercession. He is clear that Germany is being threatened on both borders. But what does America have to do with anything? I find Great Britain's response (or the response of some british theologians) quite interesting! They are certainly polite, very diplomatic, but don't see that they've done wrong, for them Germany has done wrong and Harnack is wrongly accusing them. I have to say, I'm siding with GB on this one, their arguments seem slightly more convincing. Germany, specifically Harnack, of course felt they were rightful in their invasion of Belgium, they were doing "God's work." Britain is slightly more convincing in this one. They showed aggression only in the protection of another European state. They were not the ones attacking. Of course this is only my perspective...but that's what the whole point of this journal is to write down my persepective. Harnack is smart, in his right mind, but he kind of sounds like a whiny 9 year old who's angry because he didn't get his way. I'm definitely going with GB on this one, as articulate and logical Harnack's arguments are, I still don't think it's right to invade another country when unprovoked.

It's hard putting myself in the mind of a German from this time. I'm just going to have to try harder I suppose.