Barmen

The title sounds like a bunch of guys in the pub, right? Actually, it is a town in Germany, where a group of Christians met as the Nazis rose into power. These Christians gathered in response to hearing the Nazi propaganda touting the State as the leader of the Church. So, they took the time to write out a statement not only opposing this thought, but making clear that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church.      As fascist language and attitudes grew in the 20’s and 30’s in Europe, some German Christians became more and more anxious about the direction of society. There was a movement that suggested that the uniting of Christianity, politics and the military was God’s will for Germany. Many Christians realized that if they spoke out they were accused of trying to divide the nation, or even to divide the church. Instead, members of Lutheran, Reformed and United denominations gathered in Barmen, some 140 people, intent on making a public statement of faith in Jesus alone. Shortly before this time, perhaps in response to WWI and the reliance on nationalism that tore into our world, the Pope declared a new celebration day on the Christian calendar, Christ the King Sunday. In the 40’s, a number of Protestant denominations picked up this as a day for celebration as well. Along with that, in the 1960’s, the PCUSA included the Barmen Statement as the first of its 20th Century confessions of faith to be included in our Book of Confessions. You can find a copy of it in our church library as well as online. As words and images of Christian nationalism, fascism and swastikas are floating into our national dialogue once again, it seems appropriate to renew an acquaintance with “The Theological Declaration of Barmen.” But, even more to the point, it seems very appropriate that we reunite our hearts under the banner of Christ’s sacrifice, Christ’s love, and Christ’s Lordship in the church. We celebrate Christ the King Sunday tomorrow, November 26. Blessings, Geoff