Christliches Ethos und der Widerstand gegen den Nationalsozialismus in Europa (review)

Book Reviews 145 exclusive focus on the exempla, 'which she herself.admits were compilations that evolved over a long period, does not forward this contention. Young Gregg sees in the Middle Ages a Europe-wide culture and mentality, a "medieval eye" or a "medieval mind"-a culture that was largely dictated by an empowered masculine clerical hierarchy-and as a result there is no discussion about regional differences or, more important, chronological changes. To be fair, Young Gregg does focus heavily on the thirteenth century, particularly because she sees the economic and theological evolutions ofthat century as central. Yet many of the exempla date from much earlier, or cannot be dated. Finally, Young Gregg assumes the centrality of the church in medieval Europe and posits the idea that the thirteenth century, in many important respects, was a period ofcrisis offaith in which the church was consolidating its power. Still, there is little documentation of these assumptions; indeed, the entire book lances much ofmedieval historiography only casually and selectively. Even within the specific areas on which she has chosen to focus she could have easily found numerous and penetrating works. The work would also have greatly benefited from at least a broader survey of other medieval sources. She mentions the plastic arts on occasion, but a more serious engagement with non-exempla sources would have strengthened the key elements ofthe book. Inthe end, the lack of a synthetic concluding statement weaving together all of the material and perhaps positing additional questions is very much missed in this book. This reader is left feeling that he has read a series of intelligent, if largely previously covered observations, presented within a fresh methodological context, but offering little new information or analysis. Dean Bell School for New Learning DePaul University Christliches Ethos und der Widerstand gegen den Nationalsozialismus in Europa, edited by Anselm Doering-Manteuffel and Joachim Mehlhausen. Vol. 9 in Konfession und Gesellschaft. Stuttgart/Berlin/Koln: Verlag W. Kohlhammer, 1995. 169 pp. DM 44.00. In this compact book, ten scholars offer perspectives on resistance to National Socialism as it occurred in Germany, the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands, and Italy, as well as the role which the United States played-and might have played-in supporting and furthering the German resistance. Central to the discussion is the Christian ethos, its definition and role in generating and guiding active opposition to National Socialism. Commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the failed resistance plot led by Claus 146 SHOFAR Fall 1998 Vol. 17, No.1 Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg, the papers from this 1994 Tiibingen conference offer a balanced and frequently intriguing sketch of the various facets of resistance. If the book were only an analysis of these complex events, it would constitute an excellent scholarly source. However, the discussion is significantly broader, making the book an even more valuable resource. Particularly in the essay by Joachim Gauck, the theme of resistance and the Christian ethos is widened to include more contemporary events, namely the civic courage demonstrated by dedicated Christians in the former German Democratic Republic. In addition, several of the chapters offer differing perspectives on the attitudes and actions ofboth official Washington and the American Protestant churches with respect to the German resistance. The book also offers much in the way of reflection on the motives of those who risked their lives to resist the Nazis and on the roles of ideology and politics in shaping the responses of those in England and the United States who knew of the resistance. While the book provides much factual information about resistance activities and attitudes abroad toward the German resistance, it never loses sight of its overarching themes: What is resistance? Where does it begin, and above all, with what does it begin? These are questions of immense significance not only for understanding the opposition that formed in Nazi Germany, but for gaining insight into what might allow individuals today to resist tyranny. What is the "Christian ethos" and what power does it have? Joachim Mehlhausen sets the historical context for the discussion by examining the roots ofa Protestant ethic ofresistance. He contrasts the contributions of Calvin, Knox, and Beza on the one hand to Luther...