In Memory of Stahl

Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer<p>Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer. I heard that you don't know who Stahl is. And I could not help wondering - please pardon my incivility but ... what rock have you been hiding under? Never heard of Stahl? Why he is simply one of the greatest statesmen and legal scholars that Germany ever produced.</p><p>Everyone knows Stahl - usually without wanting to. For he has many opponents who execrated what he stood for. They had a host of names for him: 'a friend of compulsion of princely absolutism of medieval prejudices and misconceptions a thoughtless fanatic attached to obsolete forms who foolishly mixes politics with religion; an ultra-Lutheran Puseyite head of the Junker party proponent of feudal abuses sophist in scientific outfit dreamer about whose metaphysical speculations one reluctantly racks one's brains.' When he died they were happy to see him go: 'Every sane person gladly sends such wicked men as this crusader chasing the holy cross when heaven pleases to call them.' Crusader! And they say that of someone who is Jewish! That's right Stahl was a convert to Christianity. And then about his legacy - they are certain it will not follow after him: 'It does not look as if Stahl will rise from the dead anymore.'</p><p>But it will. I - we - will make sure that it does. Stahl was a voice crying in the wilderness but his message is timeless. The kingdom of God and of His Christ will be recognized on earth as it is in heaven. Here and now among the rulers and powers among the nations. 'Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.' That is Stahl's message not only in private among the congregation and around the dinner table but in public in the halls of power the groves of academia the popular consciousness the public's opinion. The gospel is an affair of public interest it is a message to the nations. It concerns their weal and woe their destiny. Such is by no means a matter of indifference to the kingdom of God.</p><p>That has been my message as well. Believe me it is not a popular one in this day and age. The entire Zeitgeist is running against it. No one wants to hear of 'the faithful witness the firstborn of the dead and the <em>ruler of the kings of the earth</em>' - not even His followers! But does that mean that we are to be silenced? Or worse yet to silence ourselves? Forbid it Almighty God!</p><p>It is time men like Stahl were recognized for their work their achievement and their vision for the church the nations and the kingdom of God. It is past time to embrace and build upon their legacies especially Stahl's which is so rich profitable rewarding. Read this memorial and acquaint yourself with someone who well deserves your undivided attention.</p>