From: News with Views
If the reader has not already done so, I again urge you to read the book, Hitler’s Cross, which was written by Erwin Lutzer and published by Moody Press. This book should be “required reading” for every pastor and Christian layman in America. In his book, Lutzer focuses on the attitudes and actions of Germany’s pastors and churches during the rise and reign of the Third Reich. It is a masterpiece.
For those of us living in a country and time far removed from Hitler’s Germany, it is hard to comprehend how that nation’s Christians–and especially its ministers–could have been so thoroughly taken in by old Adolf. We assume such an event could never happen again–especially to us. However, to any honest observer of history, the conditions of the Church in America today are eerily similar to those of the Church in Nazi Germany.
…When Ron Paul was asked about Mike Huckabee’s overt usage of a cross for a campaign advertisement, he quoted Sinclair Lewis as saying, “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.” Many Christians railed against Dr. Paul for making this comment. However, the truth is, Ron Paul (himself a committed Christian) is one hundred percent right! (To see how Hitler used this same tactic, I invite readers to note the photograph of the German Fuhrer in Lutzer’s book, on page 75, which shows Hitler coming out of church with a large emblem of the Cross directly over his head. This photo was used extensively by Hitler during his political campaigns.)
[Click for more “Hitler wearing the cross…” photos]
… As a result of Hitler’s brilliant deception, Christians throughout Germany were convinced that he was “God’s man.” …
Of course, there were a few in Germany who saw through Hitler’s deception. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Christian minister who actively opposed Hitler by organizing what he called the “Confessing Church.” These were believers who would not surrender Christ’s sphere of authority to Hitler. They saw through “Hitler’s Cross.” Unfortunately, of the more than 14,000 pastors in Germany, only 800 joined with Bonhoeffer.
To the vast majority of Germany’s pastors, Bonhoeffer was an “extremist,” or a “kook,” or a “nut.” They relegated Bonhoeffer to the fringe of Christendom. They believed Hitler and repudiated Bonhoeffer; they chose Hitler’s “German Church” over the Confessing Church. …
For example, Mike Huckabee’s success in Iowa is largely due to the pastors and Christians of that State buying into his “Christian” campaign. In a manner very similar to the 2000 campaign of George W. Bush, Huckabee has carried his political campaign on the Cross. At the same time, however, Mike Huckabee (as does George W. Bush) embraces and promotes globalism. And, unfortunately, many Christians and pastors do not seem to notice or care.
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