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This week we turn to one of the most courageous confessions in the Reformed tradition: the Theological Declaration of Barmen.  Written in 1934 in Nazi Germany, the Barmen Declaration is a bold statement of allegiance—not to the state, not to nationalism, not to cultural Christianity, but to Jesus Christ alone as the one Word of God we are to hear and obey in life and in death.

In a time when much of the church was silent --and, worse, complicit-- Barmen raised a voice of conviction. It reminded Christians that our first loyalty is not to any earthly power, but to the living Lord who calls us to justice, truth, and reconciliation.

A Confession Written in Crisis

The declaration was written by a group of Protestant pastors and theologians—including Karl Barth—as a response to the growing influence of Hitler’s ideology on the German church. The so-called “German Christians” had begun reshaping the church’s identity around nationalism, race, and political conformity.

Barmen called the church back to its roots:  “As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the same way… he is also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life.”  It was not a political manifesto. It was a theological stand. A reminder that when the gospel is co-opted by empire, the church must speak clearly—even at great cost.

Why Barmen Still Matters

Barmen is not just a historical document—it’s a call to discipleship that echoes today. In every generation, the church faces pressure to compromise the gospel for comfort, power, or social acceptance.

Barmen insists that the Word of God is not something we bend to fit our moment—it is the truth that bends us toward Christ, and reminds us that to follow Jesus faithfully means sometimes saying no:

  • No to idolatry.

  • No to injustice.

  • No to anything that claims lordship over Christ.

This is not always popular. It is not always safe. But it is always faithful.

From Belief to Praise

This summer, we’re holding confession and praise together. The psalms give us voice to rejoice; the confessions give us courage to speak truth. Barmen reminds us that belief is not just what we affirm in worship—it’s how we live, and where we stand when the world around us falters.

Join Us in Worship

This Sunday, July 13, we reflect on what it means to be A People of Faith—not just in word, but in witness.
Come ready to be challenged, encouraged, and reminded that our hope is in Christ alone.

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