The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-08-05
Neo-P aganisrn Stirs
Schis1n { Over Germany
New Reformation Likely to Surpass Luthers Greed in
Scope Sweeping Reform Indicated

cation" of the Christian teaching
to make it palatable to adherents
of the new Germanic creed.
Mueller's epochal message.
wherein he outlines the aims of
the new German reformation, is
couched in very cautious terms.
At closer inspection, however, its
meaning is unmistakable.
Warns Against Division.
First Of all, he declares:
II repeat 1t once more that one
consideration must be decisive
with us in all our discussions on
fundamental issues, namely, that
discussion must be carried on in
such way as to avoid division of
the national community as far as
possible"
He then adds that his church
administration docs not allow
anyone to surpass, it in fighting
tendencies hostile to Christ" but
there he draws an all-important
distinction.
I'VE must" he says, sharply
distinguish between protests a.
gainst Christianity and the church
on the one hand and protests a.
against Christ on the other. It
cannot be doubted that much APP
parent protest against Christ in
reality is merely a protest against
church and Christianity.
Urges Luther Be Remembered.
I'VE must beware of placing on
the same level attacks upon the
church, Christianity and theology
with attacks upon Christ AS
evangelicals, we must remember
that reformation has arisen from
Luther's potest against the church,
against Christianity, against theo-
logy."
He then invites his fold 'to rec
ognize the judgment that is being
melted out to the church, to theol-
ogy and Christianity"
The meaning Of this declaration
is obvious to everyone who has
followed the German church dis
pute.
Does Not Mention Bible.
Whereas Mueller. in November,
1888, under the weight of vigorous
protest from the whole evangelical
community, ASSOCIATED h mself
from Bishop Hossenfelder and de-
clared his readiness to preserve
the Bible as the fundamental book
of creed of German professionalism.
he now fails to mention the Bible.
He draws, however, a significant
division between Christ on the one
hand and church, Christianity and
theology" on the other. 1t is clear
that the Bible and its authority
belong othe field Of Theology
a field which DR.. Mueller has
abandoned to the Judgment that
is being melted out to the church.
to Christianity and theology"
Opposes Translated Theology.
He retains Christ alone, segre-
gated from his historical setting.
Thereby the does not risk to Of
fend the neo-pagans. According to
the latter, Jesus was Aryan and
acceptable teacher to the German
nation. As author Of the dictum,
II brought the sword" (Which is
most often quoted of all his say
ings) he may even be paralleled
with Hitler, who restored the Ger.
man army of universal conscrip-
ton.
According to Mueller's message
IAN uncomprehensible theology, a
theology which first must be tran.
slated into German does not
serve our people.
The sage for the new reforma-
ton Is set.
The only question is whether
leaders and members Of the evan
gelical church will follow Muel-
Ter; whether they will not prefer
conflict and persecution to a new
Professionalism aiming at synthesis
between Christ and Wotan.