Posted on 03/15/2008 10:17:55 AM PDT by big'ol_freeper
More than once during these talks I referred to Luther and what always occurred to me as his destructive influence. I pointed out that even in such an admirable book as Rohan Butler's “The Roots of National Socialism” the spiritual origins of Nazism and Luther's influence had not been given the necessary importance. Then I was asked if I would be prepared to elaborate to them—about a dozen of the very senior boys, that is—my own views on Luther and Lutheranism. I agreed—with the proviso that they would be my own views and nothing else. Admittedly, I had read more on Luther and about Luther than on most other subjects. But I wanted to make it quite clear that I would not speak to them with the voice of a great authority, but would merely give them my own interpretation. I told them, moreover, that I should try to prove how dangerous it is to accept legends; and that the picture I had of Luther and his influence was thoroughly contradictory of the customary Luther of the legend.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicapologetics.info ...
Lutherans and Calvinists still believe that, though. It wasn't just a "Luther thing".
There are still people on the hard edge of the Reformation who will bitterly defend imputed righteousness over against the "Romish heresy of infused righteousness". If you need reinforcements from Opus Dei or the Swiss Guard to defend against the onslaught, just give me a call. ;-)
Well, since I'm not a Lutheran, the closest "religious leader" to my theological understanding would be the reformed pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed by the Nazis for helping to free Jews, for preaching against the Third Reich, and for conspiring to assassinate Hitler.
But I guess if he had just kept his mouth shut, like Pacelli, he could have saved a lot more Jews...and maybe himself.
Oh God, now we’re bring French lawyer Jean Cauvin into this?
Euh.
(Not in an angelic way, however. >:-} )
I'm sure there were a lot of Lutherans in Germany and outside of it who fought the evil of the Nazis. I suspect that a lot of Christians were blinded by the success that the Nazis had early on in rebuilding national pride and the economy and it was only later that they realized the evil that they had become a part of.
Why is it that RC's have so much trouble admitting the terrible mistakes the RCC has made?
Bonhöffer was a good man. It is good that protestants have one.
The trouble we have is in admitting the terrible mistakes the RCC has NOT made.
We don't.
This isn't one of them.
The truth is Cornwell is a born, raised and practicing Roman Catholic. There are LOTS of books that detail Rome's guilt during WWII in much greater detail and with much more condemnation.
The fact is Cornwell's book is tame compared to many other history books.
I would urge you to read Cornwell. He speaks with a heavy heart for his church.
He is a good one to pick and I am glad you could name one.
Teddy Kennedy is a born, raised and practicing Catholic.
Nancy Pelosi is a born, raised and practicing Catholic.
John Kerry is a born, raised and practicing Catholic.
NONE, I daresay, is a faithful representation of Catholicism, nor a friend of the Vatican. Each has used their public life to do incredibly evil things.
Just like Cromwell the Liar.
And we all know, you can't trust them any further than you can throw them. I'll bet he drinks a lot, too.
He speaks with a heavy heart for his church.
What's heavy is his wallet, from all the money he's made slandering an innocent man.
I have a great respect for Bonhoeffer and for others, like the Ten boom sisters, Corrie and Betsy who fought against Hitler.
Unfortunately, there are those whose ideology trumps any and all other goodness because the sense of their own rightousness blinds them to their own pride.
Would the Pope have the power over members of his church to demand that those members take a specific action? For example, RC's are supposed to support Pro Life policies and politicians. Could the Pope demand all RC's support the pro life politicians or be excommunicated?
He sells lots more books that way.
"For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." -- 1 Corinthians 11:19
I had kin fighting on both sides of that war.
I really don't follow the distinction. I'll have to read up on it.
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