Threats Revealed in the 1930s Era
In a thought-provoking article published in Evangelical Focus and Biblical Preaching, Peter Mead, a mentor at Cor Deo and the author of several books, discusses the threats identified in the 1930s that bear a striking resemblance to the issues we face today.
The article sheds light on the misuse of terms such as 'Nazi' as an insult, highlighting a lack of understanding about the actual threat to society today. Mead argues that instead of focusing on the traditional Left versus Right divide, it is more crucial to contrast control and freedom.
The 1930s saw a rise in totalitarian ideologies, with National Socialism standing for the destruction of individualism, enslavement of other peoples, and barbarism, as stated by ACG in 1939. This ideology was primarily supported by nationalist, anti-Marxist, anti-liberal groups, including former centre politicians, large landowners, business representatives, and the Reichswehr. The Nazi Party, with Hitler at its helm, came to power with key figures like Franz von Papen aiding the process.
The Nazi Party's paramilitary wing, the SA (Sturmabteilung), had significant influence. However, internal tensions existed, particularly in Berlin, where some SA factions showed rebellious tendencies against the party leadership, leading at times to violent clashes with the SS. Interestingly, some SA formations during the 1930s had as much as 30% communists in their ranks due to their shared hatred of democracy and social democracy.
Communists, too, were a significant threat during the 1930s, launching attacks on the people's state and its institutions. At times, they joined forces with Nationalists and Nazis in parliament, voting against democratic government.
The article reminds us not to ignore what is happening in the world around us. It suggests that we may find valuable lessons in the great shift that happened quickly in the past, which could serve as a wake-up call for our awareness today. The fall of the Third Reich led to a focus on Communism as a threat, but the article warns against overlooking the dangers of totalitarianism, oppressive ideologies, and quasi-religious movements that threaten our freedom.
Mead emphasises that the pulpit is not a soapbox; preachers have something more important to proclaim than party political messages. Instead, they should focus on promoting freedom and warning against the cost of pushing towards utopian dreams, which could be significant in terms of freedom and lives.
In conclusion, Mead's article serves as a timely reminder of the importance of understanding the threats to our society and the need to uphold freedom over control. It encourages us to learn from the past and be vigilant in the face of potential totalitarian movements.
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