Christian Theology and the Holocaust
INTRODUCTION:
The Holocaust was a defining period in history for those in the Christian community. Many of the ideas concocted by Hitler in reference to the Holocaust he recieved from his interperations of Christian teachings. This websites will attempt to provide some understanding as to the teachings of Christianity in respect to the Holocaust.
BOOK RESOURCES:
1. Chafer, Lewis Sperry. "Major Bible Theme".
Michigan, ACADEMIE BOOKS, 1974.
A chapter in this book titled, The Fall of Man, gives good reason as to why events like the Holocaust take place. Though this particular chapter does not directly discuss the Jewish people in reference to the Bible and Christian theology, it does however discuss the manner in which sin entered the world. Once this took place when Adam was decieved way back in the book of Genesis man was left to his own free will. Many people attempt to blame GOD for the tragedy of the Holocaust, but reading this chapter allows you to learn that once sin entered the world, man was liable to do anything their mind was able to phathom.
2. Evans, Williams. "The Great Doctrines of the Bible".
Chicago, MOODY PRESS 1974.
This book, which contains many of the doctrines taught in the Bible, has a section in it which discusses Israel and also Israel in relation to the church. It speaks on how many of the Jews denied Christ as the Messiah and suffered for it. In reference to the church many Jews and Gentiles were able to coincide in the same church because of their shared beleifs in Christianity. It goes on further to discus how although many of the Jews denied Christ as the Messiah they were in fact given the opportunity to accept Christ, and although they did deny Christ and suffered for it in many instances the Jews were still GOD's chosen people.
3. Enns, Paul. "The Moody Handbook of Theology".
Chicago, MOODY PRESS 1989.
This book also discusses several doctrines and theories of the Bible. In the section discussing Dogmatic theology the author discusses a doctrine defined by the church and derived from scriputre. In relation to the Jews this doctrine further implicates the scriptures as truth which would promote the idea of Christ being the messiah. Also this theory came at a time where the seperation of different aspects of Christianity. This helps us to understand just why people shared such differing views. Once the Dogmatic theology came in to play many different interpetations came about which was the bases for many of the ideas formulated during the Holocaust.
4. "The Holy Bible"
The Book of Matthew
Much of the Bible discusses problems the Jews had in relation to Christianity, but the book of Matthew becomes extremely in depth to why the Jews experienced so much suffering and many of the reasons were what the Nazis directly contributed their ideas too. In this book (and many others for that matter) the Jews were seen as persecutors of Christ which gave many people reason to torture and kill the Jews.
5. Tada, Joni Eareckson. "Glorious Intruder"
Portland, MULTNOMAH Publishing, 1989.
This book's main basis is the fact that GOD is ever present in the mist of Life's chaos and battles. (although those we have learned about at times thought otherwise) In a section of the book titled, "present day martyrs," the author discusses how many of those specifically in Biblical times were willing to suffer for their beliefs in GOD, but now a days it is not to often you find that, and the fact that the scriptures say the church was built upon the blood of the martyrs. It is evident that over the centuries the Jews have been willing to perish for their beliefs, and in many times they did. This section of the book just provides a basis for why people were so willing to die for their beleifs which is in large part the reason why so many perished during the Holocaust.
INTERNET RESOURCES:
1. "The Holocaust and Anti-semitic attacks Today"
This website basically focuses on how today many people still have deep rooted animosity and hatred for those of Jewish heritage. It discusses how many Jews believe that the problems with Israel is rooted in anti-semtic beliefs founded through Christian Theology and that many prominent Christian figures share in these anti-semtic beliefs.
http://www.symatya.co.il/holocas.htm
2. "Kanaan.org"
This site provides several articles in relation to Christian and Jewish relationships over the past several centuries. Also it discusses Jewish relationships with GOD during the Holocaust and what can be learned from the Holocaust in a section called "Remembering Auschwitz". This sites also provides several links in relation to other theological views of the Holocaust in relation to Christianity.
http://www.kanaan.org/israel.htm
3. "A Christian Holocaust"
This website provides a very interesting thought as to how people cope with the idea of having a religions where GOD allows the suffering of Millions to take place. It also talks of how once what the prophecies in the book of Revelations speaks upon takes place, Christians will too become part of a certain type of Holocaust, as once the seven seals are opened and the wrath of GOD is unleashed, 2/3 of the world will be destroyed.
http://www.restoringthevision.com/ChristianHolocaust.htm
4. "The Holocaust is a Christian Issue"
This website provides an idea that many people in today's Christian churches do not want to come to grasp with that Christians are in part responsible for the Holocaust. It touches on the idea that many of the anti-semtic ideas gathered by the Aryan Nation came directly from Christian theology, and the author of site also makes a very valid point that the Holocaust should be just as important to those of other religions as it is to those of the Jewish faith.
http://ghansel.free.fr/holocauste.html
Send E-Mail to: koolkyle@eden.rutgers.edu
Copyright © 2002 Kyle I. Brown. All Rights Reserved