The Barmen Declaration

The Barmen Declaration was a statement issued in 1934 by Protestant church leaders in Germany to oppose Nazi interference in church affairs. It affirmed that the church’s teachings are based on the Bible and cannot be controlled or dictated by any political authority, including the Nazi government. The declaration rejected the idea that Christ’s message could be aligned with Nazi ideologies and insisted that the church must remain independent and true to its faith, even under pressure. Essentially, it was a stand for religious integrity and independence against state intrusion during a turbulent political time.