Theologians Under Hitler -- Conclusion

In past weeks readers here have learned something about the book Theologians Under Hitler by Robert P. Ericksen. I have now finished the book and am ready to give a brief wrap-up.

This book is an excellent review of three prominent German theologians of the twentieth century: Gerhard Kittel, Paul Althaus, and Emmanuel Hirsch. All three, to one extent or another provided "theological cover" for the Nazi regime. Occasionally, Ericksen succumbs to a purely academic parlance. And at times he seems to attempt to defend the theologians. On the whole, however, he is appropriately critical.

The book ends with a strong paragraph, part of which I shall quote below. With a fair understanding of Nazi Germany, we have a chance to avoid its pitfalls. Let us be about the happy business of understanding.

Ericksen concludes:

The scenario to fear, then, is one in which a combination of crises makes life difficult: a lost war, economic collapse, shortage of oil, shortage of food. If this is coupled with a meaningful attempt to follow democratic principles, to allow true freedom and give a true politcal [sic] voice to the plural groups within society, beware. Then we will hear calls for toughness, for law and order, for national unity. We will be tempted to sacrifice some democratic principles and civil rights for national wellbeing. In short, the crisis will begin to resemble that of Weimar Germany [the period after World War I and before Nazi Germany]. Will we avoid being the Kittel, Althaus or Hirsch of that time? Will we avoid using our intellect to rationalize a position that protects our comfort and best interests, closing our eyes to the pain created for the different or less fortunate among us? ... hopefully, our consideration of Kittel, Althaus and Hirsch will encourage us to ponder these questions, to keep searching for a solution to the crisis of modernity, for a fair and just social and political ideal within the modern world.