Bismarck: The Christian State Has the
Duty to Put Christian Doctrine into Practice

“I am no enemy of the Jews. I even like them on many occasions. I am in favour of them having all their rights, only not to fill a governing position in a Christian state … I am of the opinion that the expression ‘Christian state’ is as old as the former holy Roman Empire itself; as old as all the European states; this is indeed the basis in which these states are rooted; and every state, if it wants to secure its continued existence (or its right to exist where this is contested), must build on the religious foundation. To me the words “by the grace of God” do not merely have an empty sound, but I understand it such that the regents who God has entrusted with bearing the sword, desire to do it according to God’s will.

However, I can only acknowledge as the will of God that which is revealed by the Christian gospel and I believe I am within my rights when I say that the Christian state has the duty to put the Christian doctrine into practice – yes, to realize it in everyday life. Even though it doesn’t always achieve this, I believe it remains the duty of the Christian state to put Christian doctrine into practice. But that they will come closer to achieving this goal with the help of the Jews, I cannot accept. If we accept that the foundation of the state is its religion, then our foundation can only be Christian.”

— Otto von Bismarck, as quoted in an article by Abraham Kuyper entitled “Liberalists & Jews” which appeared in a Dutch theological journal published in 1878