In The Hands Of An Angry God

Nazi Germany.  A Christian nation? 
 
Not so, according to most people in the church.  We like to say things like, "Well, they called themselves Christian, but no real Christian would ever be a Nazi."
 
Well...don't bet on it.
 
Don't be surprised to meet people in the next life who were Nazis, supporters of Apartheid, southern slavery, the Inquisition, the Crusades, persecutors of Catholics, persecutors of Protestants, persecutors of "witches" and even...
 
Capitalists, oppressors of the poor, of children, of women, of the uneducated, of the elderly...
 
The point is this - don't think for a second that being a Christian is going to keep you from believing something stupid.  Don't think for a second that being a Christian will keep you from being insensitive or uncaring.  That is, unless you redefine "Christian."  But "Christian" as we know it...
 
There were Christians who joined the Nazi party by the truckloads. 
 
Why? 
 
Because they thought they were right.  Perhaps some of them never had the opportunity to learn better.  Perhaps some, in the face of confrontation, turned away - afraid to give up this ideology they had so heavily invested in.  Perhaps some were so blinded by promises - promises to heal Germany's collective wounds and each German's personal wounds - that they could not see the destruction barreling through their land. 
 
Charles Williams once said, "to view everything with a delicate sense of skepticism" - even those things you hold most dear - your ideology, your religion and even...your faith.  Some may balk at this - how can you view your faith with skepticism?  How can you view Jesus with skepticism?
 
That which is True remains - not because you defend it against all doubts and close your eyes to all criticism - but inspite of all your questions.
 
And that, my friends, is faith. 
 
So throw open wide and be not afraid, examine yourself and see your faults and flaws.  You'll be alright in the hands of a merciful God.
 
And that, my friends, is also faith. 

posted by Headless-in-GR @ 7/16/2004 08:18:00 AM