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What is the
Confessing churcH?
The Confessing Church was a movement within German Protestantism during the Nazi era, formed in opposition to the regime's attempts to control and co-opt the churches. Emerging in 1934, it was a response to the rise of the "German Christian" movement, which sought to align Christianity with Nazi ideology, including anti-Semitism. Leaders like Hanns Lilje and Martin Niemöller formed the Young Reforming Movement.
The Confessing Church remains a symbol of faith and resistance, with figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer celebrated for their courage, action, and theological contributions. It provides a timeless example of the power of faith to resist tyranny, uphold justice, and maintain moral integrity in the face of external pressures. Its legacy continues to inspire and guide those who seek to live out their faith authentically in a complex and often challenging world.
Keep faith IN god
The importance of focusing faith on God, as exemplified by the Confessing Church, lies in the commitment to spiritual and moral integrity. By prioritizing faith in God over allegiance to temporal powers, the Confessing Church stood as a testament to the autonomy of religious belief and moral conscience. This stance provided a vital counter-narrative to the pervasive totalitarianism of the time, emphasizing that true faith transcends political agendas and upholds universal principles of justice, compassion, and human dignity.
Statement of faith
We believe in one God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — whose love is the foundation of all things and whose purposes cannot be owned by any nation, party, or political movement. We follow Jesus Christ as Lord, and that allegiance comes before every other loyalty. We believe the Holy Spirit is alive and active, calling the Church to courage when silence would be easier.
We believe:
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The Bible is the inspired Word of God and our guide for faith and life
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Every person is made in the image of God and deserves dignity and protection
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The Church's loyalty belongs to Christ alone — not to any flag or political platform
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Faith without action is incomplete — we are called to speak and to act
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Hope grounded in the resurrection is stronger than any power in the world
We are a community of Christians who take the Gospel seriously enough to let it cost us something.
HISTORICAL FIGURES
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism. His ties to the July 20, 1944, conspiracy to overthrow the Nazi regime led to his execution in 1945. His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world.
Martin Niemöller
Martin Niemöller was a German theologian and Lutheran pastor, best known for his opposition to the Nazi regime during the late 1930s. He also founded the founded the Pastors’ Emergency League (PEL) in 1933, serving as the forerunner of what later became the Confessing Church.
Hanns Lilje
Johannes Ernst Richard Lilje was a German Lutheran bishop and a pioneer of the ecumenical movement. From 1924 to 1934, he served as the general secretary of the German Student Christian Movement. Starting in 1933, Lilje was actively involved in the Confessing Church's struggle against Nazi Germany.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES