Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) - German Anti-Nazi Theologian and Lutheran Pastor

[DonRocks]

It's ironic that Martin Niemöller died in 1984.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

[Tujague]

Speaking as a Lutheran theologian (!), as much as I love this quote, it's interesting that little else from Niemöller has really survived in theological discourse, particularly compared to Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Part of that is surely because his earlier antisemitism didn't die easily, and he did not leave as much of a written legacy as Bonhoeffer (or die a martyr's death). But the whole Confessing Church movement in Germany during Hitler's power is a fascinating phenomenon that many contemporary liberal churches have often sought to replicate or at least reference in our time, especially since T®ump's rise to power. The talk of this time as one of, in Bonhoeffer's terms, "status confessionis," is rampant in progressive Christian, especially Protestant, circles now. (And in the face of the Reformation's 500th anniversary, make no doubt that Lutherans are contending hard with Luther's vile antisemitism. Some of the worst of it is just now being translated into English. And I say this as someone who edited six volumes of the man's writings.)