Evening star., 1946-10-17
Letters to The Star
Postmortem on Nazi Criminals
Against Biblical Background
To the Editor of The Star:

fOStInOftem on 1NaZl ATlIHlHuIS
Against Biblical Background
To the Editor Of The Star:
A postmortem is q distasteful task.
Experts surround the examiner with the
scalpel. seeking the cause Of death. But
a war postmortem verdict, occasioned
by the Nuremberg executions OF the
Nazi high command, Is foregone con-
clusion. Civilization pauses to reflect
upon the inglorious venture of madmen
intent upon world domination.
1t was Wesner Fallaw, writing in the
Christian Century, under the title Of
Atomic Apocalypse" who declared that
'the world is sick unto death. Poll
ticians, statesmen, nations and inter-
national bodies are making plans for its
recovery. So are the churches. But
the churches-unlike all the others
may be called on to come forward with
a No. 2 plan of action. No other agency
will"
International law may punish, OBJ
literate potential rabble rousers, in a
precedent shattering elimination OF
enemy war leaders. But in the final
analysis this is scriptural, backed by a
God-given right to rule. This funda-
mental law was expounded by no less
an apostolic authority than st. Paul.
This apostle was decapitated for his
insistence upon personal freedom OF
religion, for not rendering obeisance to
the imperial gods Of ancient Rome. AS
a Judge of emperors, fearless OF their
power to snuff out his life, st. Paul
nevertheless upheld their divine right
to rule, in these immortal words OF
counsel to the Romans, chapter 13: Let
every soul be subject unto the higher
powers. For there is no power but of
God: the powers that be are ordained
of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth
the power, resisteth the ordinance of
God: for rulers are not a terror
to good works, but to the evil.
But If thou do that which is evil, be
afraid; for he beareth not the sword in
vain - revenger to execute wrath
upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore
We must needs be subject, not only for
wrath, but also for conscience sake" :"
Here is leader of the early Christian
church who fought good fight
kept the faith" even to the moment Of
feeling the axman's blade upon his neck.
He died a martyrs death that others
might survive in the cause of desper-
ate struggle for civil and religious
freedoms.
There are only two courses in the
stream of life-good or evil. An inter-
national court Of justice exhausts all
efforts to find evidence of innocence: !:
and finally and inexorably must hand
down just verdict of guilt against the
misdeeds OF men of an Axis coalition
who ruled the destinies of more than
100000, 900 subjects.
We write this unglittering epitaph to
be hung in darkened halls of memory
over unmarked graves, Of those super
men 90 whose limp bodies swing
briefly from the gibbet for an example
to posterity: They fought foul and
evil fight . = and failed to keep
faith with humanity"
OF them is typical this vision Of
Prophet Isaiah of the Old Testament
of the Bible: How art thou fallen
from heaven. o, Lucifer, son of the
morning! How art thou cut down to
the ground, which didst weaken the
. nationsI For thou hast said In thine
heart, will ascend into heaven
will be like the Most High. Yet thou
shalt be brought down to hell, to the
sides of the pit. They that see thee
shall narrowly look upon thee, and con-
slider thee. saying, Is this the man that
made the earth to tremble. that did
shake kingdoms?"
How near the democracies came to
the point of sinking is revealed by Lon
don sources in booklet just released,
entitled, 'The Battle Of the Atlantic" i"
which declares that German sub
marines sank ATS merchant ships to-
falling 14,50A000 tons in the grim battle
of the Atlantic in World War II and
were menace to the Allies up to the
moment Germany collapsed"
Civilization suffered, breathes again
somewhat automatically, but is rising.
How long will It stand on its feet again?
Another menace, which is driving q
wedge between East and West points to
cleavage of humanity. An image with
feet of clay stands shakily on its
pedestal. When will it be cast down?
CHARLES ALLEN RENTFRO.
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