The Altar and the Eagle
If you want to understand what’s going on in 2024, learn about what happened in 1933. “The Altar and the Eagle: Spiritual Authority and Moral Compromise in the Third Reich” is a deeply introspective and historically rich podcast that delves into the complex and often disturbing relationship between religious institutions and political power during the era of the Third Reich in Germany. Each episode of the podcast seeks to unravel the intricate web of interactions between the spiritual leaders and the Nazi regime, exploring the moral dilemmas, compromises, and justifications that marked this turbulent period.
Episodes
In today's episode of The Altar and the Eagle, we take a somber look back at the Rwandan Genocide—a tragic event that claimed around 800,000 lives due to deep-seated ethnic tensions. We examine the destructive role of propaganda and how media fueled a massacre that unfolded with frightening speed and brutality. We discuss the shocking complicity and, in rare cases, the courageous resistance of religious institutions. Finally, we ju...
In our latest episode of 'The Altar and the Eagle,' we unpack the chilling legacy of eugenics and its use for political gains, tracing from Galton up to the atrocities of Nazi Germany. By examining the weaponization of us-versus-them rhetoric, we see how it not only shaped historical tides of tyranny but warns us of similar patterns today. We explore the perversion of science for regime propaganda and the crucial role propaganda pl...
What, if anything, is wrong with publishing a Bible with a leather cover and slick, thin pages, along with the US Constitution and other secular documents? Rev. Steven D. Martin raises questions that might not be as obvious as may seem.
We're launching a new feature of this podcast. In addition to the longer-form episodes, we're releasing a short, weekly recording that addresses an important historical or current-day topic or event.
In this episode of "The Altar and the Eagle," host Steven Martin dives into a controversial topic: Hitler's speeches. He discusses the unsettling experience of hearing an AI-generated English translation of one of Hitler's speeches and...
In this episode of The Altar and the Eagle, host Reverend Steven D. Martin delves into the complex and controversial topic of baptism, exploring its historical and contemporary significance. With the voices of Robert Ericksen and Hartmut Lehmann, the focus is on baptism's misuse by the Nazi regime. The episode delves into the deep connections between baptism, politics, and race, shedding light on the chilling power of propaganda an...
As a bit of bonus material, I ran across this sermon by Brian Zahnd, a pastor in St. Joseph, MO. It's not directly related to our subject, but does offer a modern statement similar to that of Bonhoeffer's Christ from Below. It's helpful thinking as we consider the Christian's role when living in an empire.
Welcome to The Altar and the Eagle, where we challenge conventional views and explore the intersection of politics, history, and religion. In today's episode, we dive into the complex and often misunderstood topic of baptism, guided by insights from the late Glenn Stassen, and host Reverend Steven D. Martin. We uncover the deep significance of baptism, particularly in the context of Nazi Germany, where baptism became a matter of li...
Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, right? And that love extends universally, as illustrated by the Good Samaritan. How, then, can we explain Christian support of National Socialism when it was clear that the Nazis stood for certain people and violently against others?
An answer to this enormous question lies in everyone's favorite topic: sex.
Please support this podcast at our Patreon page: https://patreon.com/TheAltarandtheEag...
Today's episode focuses on Paul Althaus, perhaps the 20th Century's greatest interpreter of the theology of Martin Luther. As Hitler and the Nazi party came to power, Althaus wrote that "our Protestant churches have seen the turning year of 1933 as a gift and miracle of God." What does it mean when respected pastors and academics such things?
Please support this podcast at our Patreon page: https://patreon.com/TheAltarandtheEagle
Our journey begins with the Weimar government, grievance politics, extremism, and scapegoating in Germany in the 1920s.
Please support this podcast at our Patreon page: https://patreon.com/TheAltarandtheEagle
Welcome to "The Altar and the Eagle: Spiritual Authority and Moral Compromise in the Third Reich." Listen for an overview of this podcast and why it's so important to remember this history.
https://www.patreon.com/TheAltarandtheEagle
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