Kreuz und Hakenkreuz : die evangelische Kirche im Dritten Reich

Chronicles the attitudes of the various factions and regional bodies of the Protestant Churches to Nazism, including Nazi antisemitic policy and condemnation of the Old Testament. Ch. 6 (pp. 152-174), "Kirche und Judenverfolgung", draws these topics together. The Deutsche Christen and those influenced by them presented Christianity as the antithesis of Judaism, and founded research institutes for this purpose. Those Churches that attempted to maintain some autonomy, including the Confessing Church, defended mainly the Old Testament and the sacrament of conversion, which they considered essential to the integrity of their faith. With some heroic exceptions, they did not come to the defense of the Jews. Only in 1943, when it became clear that Jews were being exterminated, were there determined protests, by Bishop Wurm and by the synod of the Old Prussian Confessing Church. Originalausg. 249 pages ; 18 cm.