Nazi propaganda photo. German Chancellor and Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler greets the Reichsbischof ("Bishop for the Reich") Ludwig Müller, Protestant Archbishop of Nuremberg, outside the Gothic Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) at the Nazi Party Congress (Reichsparteitag der NSDAP) held in Nuremberg in September 1934. Roman Catholic (Benedictine) Abbot Albanus Schachleiter stands between Hitler and Müller. Uncredited/unidentified photographer (Wikimedia Commons)
By Jeff Fountain - Posted at Christian Daily International:
We live in confusing times. Sometimes it is hard to know who or what to believe. Jesus warned us that false messiahs and false prophets would appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect."Words and actions contradict the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor (including enemies)"
The rise of politicians from America to Russia claiming to champion Christian values and peace yet preaching hatred and division is polarizing families, churches, and communities even far beyond their own countries. Driven by self-aggrandizement, self-enrichment, vindictiveness, and disregard for truth, human rights, rule of law, freedom of speech and of conscience, their words and actions contradict the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor (including enemies).
It is both sobering and instructive to reflect on the experience of German Christians in the 1930s – when a strongman emerged at a time of confusion and chaos, promising "stability, dignity, and order".