Discussion Thread WWII German Champlain Week

Illegitimacy of the German Chaplains from a historical and biblical basis

Illegitimacy refers to the state of not acting by acceptable standards. Doris Bergen is worried about the ill intention of the military chaplains in the history of Nazi killings. Bergen argues that the chaplains never took part in the massacre, but they did nothing to stop it.[1] Historically, the German government wanted chaplaincy to be an independent institution from the church. To ensure this happened, the German government threatened to break up the catholic chaplaincy if it did not accept these demands. The Catholic Church agreed to the directions to receive protecting the church subsidies it received from the government. By working under government commands, the chaplains lead their flocks into believing that God sanctioned their work, which tarnishes the role of Catholic chaplains in the military. According to Bergen, the chaplains keep adjusting themselves to the terms of the government to be on the safe side. It pushed the chaplains to act in a way that did not hurt the troops. It is against the role of the chaplains, which is to Minister to the military on the battlefield. The government could also choose whom to join the chaplains so that it could have its needs met. From the Biblical point of view, the role of the chaplain in this history was illegitimate. In the Bible, the individuals who had positions equal to that of military chaplains served as examples of the integrity of the people they led. According to Samuel 7:3, prophets such as Samuel assumed the leadership of the Israelites as their judge and covenant mediator. Although the Philistines continued to oppress the Israelites, under the administration of Samuel, they reconquered territories they lost to the Western enemies. However, when Samuel grew old, his sons took over his role. His sons, for instance, Eli, were corrupt and could not lead. In this incident, the Israelites demanded a monarch, a centralized government led by a king.

The legitimacy of the German Chaplains from a historical and biblical basis

Legitimacy, in this sense, means being by the law. Historically the chaplains were legitimate. The German soldiers served the nations away from home, where they faced many horror scenes. It was essential to Minister to them.[2] Being a Chaplain in the German army was regarded as a prestigious duty. The Nazis wanted chaplains who represented the tradition of the military, such as integrity. The Nazis wanted chaplains who would speak for the weak and not cause divisions and killings. The chaplains wish to do an excellent job of serving God, and their country, and making their families happy. They brought the word of God to the men on the battlefield.[3] Biblically, the chaplains were legitimate because they acted as custodians of God's word by taking the Bible in places with no church. Chaplains accompanied the military in the war and reminded them of the role of God during the war. God appoints Chaplains, and they receive His blessings just like King David. 2 Samuel 24:11 says, “When David got up in the morning, a revelation from the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David's seer:” In a close reference, 1 Chron 25:5 states, “All these sons of Heman the king’s seer were given him through the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.” German Protestant Church wishes that the chaplains be the moral conscience of the army regardless of their professed faith. [4]The Chaplains do not have any military rank, and their terms of service are restricted to serving God and man in a conflicting environment for about 6 months. It is unimaginable what the chaplains went through during the war keeping in mind they were to act morally upright by showing the ethical values of their religion in the face of a trying time under the communist dictator. I believe that their acts and faith were legitimate.

References

D?rfler-Dierken, Angelika. "The changing role of protestant military chaplaincy in Germany: From raising military morale to praying for peace."?Religion, State & Society?39, no. 1 (2011): 79-91.

Bergen, Doris L.?The sword of the lord: Military chaplains from the first to the twenty-first century. University of Notre Dame Press, 2004.

United States. President's Committee on Religion and Welfare in the Armed Forces. The Military Chaplaincy: A Report to the President, October 1, 195.