Keine Gewalt! No Violence!

“Thanks to Newell for this inspiring account of ‘candles and prayers’ changing the course of history. It is amazing how the nonviolent approach of Pastor Christian Führer and the people of Nikolaikirche in Leipzig, firmly rooted in the teachings of Jesus, served as a catalyst in reuniting Germany in 1989. Newell provides a fresh take on church-state relations in Germany from the Nazi period through reunification, highlighting the witness of Bonhoeffer, Barth, and Niemöller.”


—Mark Brocker, Lead Pastor, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Beaverton, Oregon





“Barth scholar Roger Newell in his work Keine Gewalt  tells the story of “Nikolaikirch,” an historic twelfth century church in Leipzig that was the nexus between 1981 through 1989 for a Christian prayer for peace movement that would transform a divided land, the eastern half under totalitarian control, into the modern unified Germany. Newell’s expertise helps to set this remarkable development in church-state relations in an historic theological context. He begins in the Nazi era and deals with the key figures who laid the foundations for this revolution including: Martin Niemoller, Karl Barth, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Key documents including the Barman Declaration and The Stuttgart Declaration of 1945 are included for those who would like to dig deeper. This is a compelling read for the laity and for scholars—a fascinating look at how the power of prayer can transform individuals and governments.”


— Nathan P. Feldmeth, Assistant Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary