Churches and Religion in the Second World War

by Bank, J Th M; Gevers, Lieve

• ISBN13: 9781845204839
• ISBN10: 1845204832
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781472504791
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2016-03-24
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• More Book Details

Summary

Despite the wealth of historical literature on the Second World War, the subject of religion and churches in occupied Europe has been undervalued – until now. This critical European history is unique in delivering a rich and detailed analysis of churches and religion during the Second World War, looking at the Christian religions of occupied Europe: Catholicism, Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Orthodoxy.

The authors engage with key themes such as relations between religious institutions and the occupying forces; religion as a key factor in national identity and resistance; theological answers to the Fascist and National Socialist ideologies, especially in terms of the persecution of the Jews; Christians as bystanders or protectors in the Holocaust; and religious life during the war. Churches and Religion in the Second World War will be of great value to students and scholars of European history, the Second World War and religion and theology.

Author Biography

Jan Bank is Emeritus Professor of Dutch History at the University of Leiden, Netherlands.Lieve Gevers is Professor of the History of the Church and Theology at the Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium.

Table of Contents

IntroductionChapter 1: Church and State, Church and Nation after the First World WarChapter 2: Christianity versus the Totalitarian Ideologies (Fascism, National-Socialism and Communism)Chapter 3: Christian Churches in the Occupied Nations of Europe 1938-1941Chapter 4: Christian Churches in the Total War 1941-1945Chapter 5: Christianity and the Jews; Relations, Conversions and Anti-JudaismChapter 6: Christian Churches, Christians and the HolocaustConclusion