The Altar and the Eagle

Every pastor I know struggles with the Sunday that follows July 4. There is often a push to celebrate this patriotic holiday in a way that diminishes the reign of Christ, and Chris Warrington, Director of Music at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Bethesda, Maryland, finds this especially true in the hymns we sing on this Sunday. Today, Chris shares his clear and conciliatory message with the ex...

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 rel...

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...

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 translat...

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...

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. https://brianzahnd.com/2014/02/problem-bible/

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,...

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: ht...

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...

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