Open AccessFaith and Patriotism: Some Snapshots and Reflections on 1914 and Beyond
Author(s) -
Rt Revd Christopher Hill
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
anvil
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0969-7373
DOI - 10.2478/anv-2013-0021
Subject(s) - patriotism , german , faith , politics , state (computer science) , power (physics) , sociology , religious studies , epistemology , political science , law , history , philosophy , physics , archaeology , algorithm , quantum mechanics , computer science
This article offers some fascinating ‘snapshots’ into theological activity and awareness between British and German theologians just prior to WW1, between the wars and post WW2. He helpfully surveys the differences between German and English understandings of the Church-Struggle or Kirchenkampf and some of its struggles which we might now name as too much identification with the prevailing culture and not enough critical distance. He considers how public opinion was divided in the 1930s the role of significant Anglican leaders in and post WW2. He concludes with reflections on Luther's two ‘regiments’, the essential spiritual domain of the Church and the temporal, political power of the State and with Harnack's understanding of the church with thoughts on implications for how we relate to church and state today