Theological alchemy

I've been developing a theological tagging for my library for my own purposes, and some time ago I came across this expression: Theological alchemy ,below is the citation:

“German Christians”—a movement that in the Nazi era numbered three out of every four German pastors—were swept up in the theological alchemy of attempting to construct a “heroic” Aryan faith by the eradication from Christianity of every possible vestige of Judaism

Edwards, J. R. (2009). The Hebrew Gospel and the Development of the Synoptic Tradition (p. 204). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

For me it looks like a good description for some modern theological trends. Any opinions?

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Comments

Francis

I will refrain from voicing my opinions (not for lack thereof) but would just comment on the use of the word alchemy. Alchemy was a predecessor to actual chemistry and it was believed that it involved some magic and allowed transmutation (such as changing lead to gold). So I read the use here as a pique. It involves some "dark" chemistry to try to transmute Christianity into a compound devoid of any trace of Judaism.

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/858015#Comment_858015

It involves some "dark" chemistry to try to transmute Christianity into a compound devoid of any trace of Judaism.

Don't believe the result could legitimately be called Christianity.

Lew Worthington

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/858025#Comment_858025

I love the metaphor. I don't know if Edwards expands on the appropriateness of the term here, but it would be a great discussion starter.

I'd also like to know what his source is for the statistic.

Doc B

For me it looks like a good description for some modern theological trends. Any opinions?

Agreed.

I think most would agree, even if they did not agree on which particular trends were the object of the discussion.

Dan Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/858045#Comment_858045

People seem to love baptize leaders as defenders of the faith even when it seems to be only lip service to faith,

dan

Virgil Buttram

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/858048#Comment_858048

People seem to love baptize leaders as defenders of the faith even when it seems to be only lip service to faith,

dan

This springs from a desire for leaders to be defenders of the faith, and to choose them on that basis, primarily or exclusively. If a political leader is a defender of the faith, that is a bonus and a good gift from God. It is enough if a political leader serves wisely and for the human good of those whom they serve. This too is a gift from God.

DMB

First, one would have to identify 'Christianity' ... I assume it's the protestants, from your summary. Both then, and now. 20th century version.

Then, you'd have to identify the 'judaism'. There, the issue ignores the obvious ... both judaism and Christianity have long denied each other for centuries. And not just the vagueries of theology.

I think the major curiousity is the 3/4's. The willingness to sign on. Though granted, the german leader wasn't a pastor.

Jan Krohn

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/858066#Comment_858066

Wikipedia states that the "German Christians" had a majority of 2/3, and therefore could take over all of the protestant churches. But numbers don't really matter, do they?

Having grown up in German Lutheranism, I can see how this might have happened. I don't recall a single instance that in the church in my home town was preached that one needs to accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross in order to receive saving grace. I know of pastors in Germany who openly confess that they don't believe in God, but do the job because of the social impact.

It must have been easy to implant evil ideology into such a shallow gospel. The political authorities claimed that Judaism was evil, the church authorities claimed the same, so the average church goer also adopted that view... It might be worthwhile looking up the "Milgram experiments", who did extensive research how "ordinary people" respond to authority. There's always "willingness to sign on"... [:(]

Ken McGuire

Jesus asks his disciples "But who do you say that I am?" This question is not only to the twelve, but echos through church history. There have been myriad answers over the years - and IMHO some are more faithful than others. Oddly, some seem to even use this question to avoid the real Jesus, but in this age we still only see all this in a glass darkly.

To give a real, full answer would almost by definition go well beyond the forum rules. But as tempting as it is to just dismiss a theological trend we do not agree with or understand as "theological alchemy," doing so runs the risk of avoiding the engagement with and proclamation to the very world Jesus died for.