Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
The German Mennonites’ 1995 confession admits they “sacrificed a peace witness” and “remained silent,” and Chester ends with Wiesenthal’s warning that Hitler and Stalin are “waiting for us to forget”; what practices of memory, teaching, and public repentance would actually keep a church from repeating this—and which of those practices do modern Christians most resist and why?
Another way to ask: What habits of remembering, teaching, and saying sorry in public would really help a church not repeat these sins? Which of those habits do Christians today push back on most, and why?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests churches avoid repetition by surfacing buried history, teaching it plainly (especially to youth), making public confession when needed, and actively refusing compromise of the two-kingdom theology. Modern Christians often resist these practices because the truth is “shameful,” threatens reputation, and forces costly change rather than comfortable forgetfulness.
- Chester says the story was “buried because it’s so awful,” but “we can’t learn anything as long as it’s buried… it is coming out.”
- He offers a student-focused resource to educate: the “Mennonite Nazi Story” is “intended for high school students and beyond” so others “prevent similar mistakes.”
- He emphasizes the key doctrinal guardrail: refusing to “compromise the two kingdom doctrine/concept.”
- The 1995 statement models public repentance: “Most Mennonites… sacrificed a peace witness… remained silent… We can only plead for forgiveness with the words of the Lord’s Prayer.”
- He notes delay and pain: it took “30 years” before writings addressed the Nazi past; for many it was “very painful.”
- Wiesenthal’s warning explains why memory matters: monsters are “waiting for us to forget.”