WE need hardly say that the whole world has been shocked during the past month with the dreadful fruits of German militarism which have appeared on the battlefields of Belgium and France. German armies have been guilty of deeds of brutality and wickedness which have been hitherto only associated with the most barbarous tribes of heathendom. Civilized warfare has its rules. There are reasonable restrictions imposed upon contending forces, when engaged in the work of devastation, but the German soldiers have defied every law of God and man and have unblushingly perpetrated the most fearful crimes. For example, they have cruelly shot down or maimed those already wounded, who were incapable of defending themselves. They have treated in a similar manner unarmed civilians, tourists who were endeavouring to escape from the scenes of war. They have outraged and butchered weak and defenceless women and children. They have in a wanton and unnecessary manner destroyed buildings and towns that were already evacuated, as if they had a mad delight in the pure work of destruction. In one sentence, they appear to have stopped at nothing that Satanic malevolence and cruelty could suggest. Who would have thought that the men of a Christian, Protestant, highly-educated nation could have been guilty of such dreadful wickedness? A few months ago, it would not have been imagined by those who take the darkest view of human nature that such things would be done by so “cultured” a nation as Germany is supposed to be. Let us enquire for a little, as to whether there is any connection between modern German theology and the Militarism that is bearing such dreadful fruits at the present moment.
1. It is to be acknowledged, in the first place, that Germany was during the days of the Reformation in the forefront of the cause of Christ and truth.
We can never forget what the whole Christian world owes under God, to Martin Luther, Melancthon, and other able men of renown who then, by divine grace, held up the banner of the Gospel, and bore a good testimony for truth and righteousness in face of Papal Rome and all her legions. The Christian Church will always acknowledge this debt. In more recent times, however, the outstanding witnesses for evangelical truth have been very few. Apart from the Krummachers, Tholuck, and one or two other worthy men, we know them not. Still, we would hope that there are “a few names” yet in Germany “who have not defiled their garments” with the pollutions of modern error and corruption, and we earnestly trust that the present “baptism of fire” may have a humbling and purifying effect upon that Empire, and may clear the way for the furtherance of the Gospel throughout its domains.
2. It is to be observed that during the last hundred years Germany has been one of the chief seats of infidelity working under a Christian name.
The so-called Higher Criticism of the Scriptures has had its most outstanding exponents in Germany. The names of Graf, Welhausen, and Kuenen, are well-known to students as men of learning who have done their best to overturn every recognised view as to the inspiration, reliability, and sound theological meaning of the Old Testament. Their work has been destructive of all confidence in the Bible as the infallible Word of God throughout. Still again, students are familiar with the names of such writers as Strass and Baur, who have handled the Gospels in the light of rationalistic theories, and have dismissed much therein as fanciful legends, while they have set aside the God-head of Christ, and represented Him as practically a mere man, albeit the greatest of the sons of men. Once more, there is Schleiermacher, whose system of theological belief has largely influenced German thought. His scheme overthrows the truth concerning the Trinity and the Incarnation, and leaves Christ as only the ideal man. Many other names might be mentioned, but these will suffice. These theological writers have wielded a powerful influence, and, as far as can be seen, they have taken away the minds of the people of Germany and Prussia from the true Gospel. They have deprived them of any right or adequate conception of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and of the grand scheme of redemption as unfolded in the person and work of the Eternal Son made flesh. They have substituted a cold, abstract, absolute Deity whose chief and almost only attribute seems to be almighty power. The love and righteousness of God in Christ are not fires at which the modern, cultured German sits with a view to kindle spiritual life and warmth in his soul. We are bound to conclude from all that we know of it that the modern theology of Germany has presented no bar to the cold, proud, cruel Prussian militarism which dominates that country to-day, but must have provided the vacuum in which that despotic murderous system lives and moves and has its being. There comes no voice from the theologians of Germany protesting against the system of militarism and its atrocities.
3. Let us notice, now, that the military class in Germany have been raised into a caste by themselves and placed on an exalted pedestal above the other sections of society.
They are the men, and no one dares to interfere with them more than with the Kaiser himself. Their occupation is glorified into something divine, and the present Emperor has done his utmost to strengthen this order of things. The idea has also taken possession of his mind that Germany is God’s chosen land, and that he is specially raised up by Heaven to advance its power throughout the world. The grand instrument for the accomplishment of this object he evidently believes is the sword. It appears, further, that there are some German writers of recent years, who have, under the influence of such ideas as these, maintained, to all intents and purposes, that might is right. We may observe the fruits of this glorification of brute force on the plains of Europe to-day. It is not held, of course, that all the German people are committed to this unholy system of things. Possibly many of them abhor it with all their hearts, but still, it occupies the reigning place, and it is feared that seeing it is the law among them that every man must learn the art of war, the spirit of militarism will have largely pervaded the whole nation.
4. We observe, again, that the King of kings and Lord of lords has solemnly declared that “those who take the sword shall perish with the sword,” and we firmly maintain that His word shall stand fast for ever.
Germany and Prussia have been whetting the sword for many years with unhallowed delight and confidence, and the sword shall be their destruction. German theology and German militarism are both antagonistic to the God of truth and peace, and He shall, in mercy and in judgment, dash His enemies in pieces, “like a potter’s vessel” (Psalms ii.)
5. We cannot refrain in conclusion from noticing with pleasure that there are signs at present in our own country that people’s eyes are being opened to see the evil of German Rationalism and the vanity of German Culture.
Education is a most valuable thing in its own place, but when it is unaccompanied by the fear of God, it frequently becomes a sharp weapon in the hands of Satan for the promotion of his corrupt kingdom. May the Lord in His infinite mercy overrule this solemn time of terrible conflict and bloodshed for the ultimate benefit of the nations involved—for the overthrow of systems of wickedness and cruelty and for the glorious extension of the cause of Him who is King of Righteousness and King of Peace.
SAITH Luther, “I had rather fall with Christ than stand with Cæsar, rather be a Christian clown than a pagan emperor.”