“The first word of our preaching cannot be to call the young generation away from the Third Reich and to God’s kingdom, which is entirely different from it. A thousand times we made the mistake, to preach the second word before the first word. That is why the second word became not only incomprehensible but false.”
“The first word must be: The Reich (kingdom) is accomplishment of creation, fulfillment, and restoration of this life, answer to our questions, and salvation for our bodily and political miseries. Every historical liberation and recovery therefore is a previous indication, a hint to God’s kingdom.” (The second word should be) “Earthly regeneration is a parable, but just alone a parable of the things to come.”
~ Paul Althaus
In honor of Paul Althaus, a German theologian, who was born on this day in 1888. Also on this day, Adolf Hilter seizes control of the German Army and puts Nazi officials in key posts.
Resources:
Today in Christian History – February 4
Paul Althaus – A Representative of the Erlangen School
Theologians Under Hitler
Related Articles:
The Two Kingdoms Doctrine Gone Awry: The Case of Paul Althaus