Sate, War, Revolution and the German Evangelical Church

by John a Moses.
Lots of history in just a few pages. I guess this is the hard part about the short term. We're covering large chunks of years in one day and I can't seem to keep names and chronology right because they keep getting piled on.

This article was enlightening. What I'm discovering is that I know next to nothing about European history, so I kind of wish I knew more so that I could place everything that's happening in Germany that we're learning about, in the grand scheme of things. I'm not sure if that would be helpful, but it seems like it would. Thank goodness for Google!

For me it seems like Germany's history just prior to, and during, World War I is a good argument for the separation of Church and State. Although I have to wonder if the church had stayed in control if everything would have gone down as it did during the 30s and 40s. But the idea Moses discusses regarding the Kaiser as divine agent seems so, well, ancient minded. Which is odd to me since Germany at the time of its unity was all about being a Modern nation state...if it wasn't modern, then it wasn't German. Egypt and Israel, those are nations one thinks of when thinking about the monarchy as divine agent (although Egypt took it further and said the monarchy was divine, additionally Rome and others). But not a modern nation state like Germany. Germany largely modeled its autonomous state after that of France (I think that's what we learned in lecture, but I don't much feel like digging for my notes). And it is true, the coronations of French kings took place in the church, as did the other nations with monarchies (England, Austria, etc.), which linked religion and state leadership. However, Much of that ended with the various revolutions of other nation states. No longer did France have a king who was coronated in the church. So I found that striking about the German Kaiser.

I also find it striking that Germany's part in the first world war, was seen, by Germany, as holy war. The expansion of the German empire was seen as a way to spread the Gospel. Hmmm, sounds similar to various crusades during the middle ages. I find it interesting that again, Germany, is finding internal unity as a result of tension. First in the 19th century with French occupation, and then during World War I. Moses quotes the Kaiser as saying, "I recognize no parties any more, only Germans." So I guess then, there was a shift from the importance of Germany's place in the installation of the Kingdom of God, to the solidarity of Germany. That's where Harnack comes in I suppose? It all seems rather complicated, and I suppose most of history is.

Eventually, when the Germans lose the war, there is a definitive separation of Church and state. I'm never one to side with anyone who claims holy war. At least ideologically. I think it's a weak excuse and a lame cover for power hunger. Certainly interesting though how much of a role the church had in the rise and establishment of Germany.