04-10-26

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
April 10, 2026
The other night, Donna and I caught the movie Nuremberg, starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek. It was a look at the Nuremberg Trial and much of what went into preparing for the trial.  Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Crowe), the second in command of Nazi Germany, was being brought to trial, but the United States wanted an Army Psychiatrist, Douglas Kelley (Malek), to watch over Göring and other prisoners. Toward the end, Kelley and Göring are having a conversation, and Göring says, “Years from now, I wonder what you will say about us. Will you even acknowledge we were human?” There is this tendency to strip the humanity from those who have committed what can only be described as evil in this world, often demonizing them or comparing such individuals to the devil. For most of us, it is nearly impossible to imagine what would bring people to commit such atrocities, and for that reason, we reach for an otherworldly explanation. Yet what the movie tried to do, at least my take, was to continue to keep before the audience how a group of human beings were behind everything in Nazi Germany, and equally important, we are, as a species, always capable of such brutality and suffering. Those who disregard what human beings are capable of doing will inevitably face another Nazi-like movement. This movement will exploit fear, scapegoating some marginalized part of society, as its tactic to gain power. As followers of Jesus, and as concerned human beings, we must remain vigilant in our awareness of those who seek to manipulate fear and exploit insecurities to seize power. When such actions go unchecked, one group is inevitably crushed in the process.

Holy God, O Living Christ, there have always been those who lose sight of what is good, just, and righteous in their pursuit of something other than your vision for creation. Give me the wisdom and insight to be able to name my own weaknesses and fears that can so easily be manipulated. Provide me strength by which I can be bold and speak truth to those who seek power at any cost. Amen.