Continued Objection to the Oath


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Koch was discharged from the Wehrmacht for reasons of indispensability in October of 1940 and returned to his parish. The fight against him continued there. After Koch had tried to obtain a transfer several times to no avail, he was entrusted with performing the pastoral duties in the congregation in Gruiten in February of 1941. Confirmation of his call in Gruiten required that he swear the Hitler oath however, which Koch was unwilling to do. He made reference to Matt. 5:34–37, according to which a Christian may not swear an oath. In keeping with the Reformed Confessions, an oath was only allowed when authorities demanded it, which was not the case. Koch was sent into temporary retirement in September of 1941.


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  • © Udo Koch-Mehrin

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