German Pastor Vilified For Boldly Preaching Gospel: 'Spiritual War Between Christ and Devil'

By Julie Brown Patton
Olaf Latzel
German Pastor Olaf Latzel has gained a lot of attention for preaching boldly about Jesus Christ at the historic St. Martini Church in Bremen, Germany. picture-alliance/dpa

A German pastor who has been criticized for preaching boldly, directly and unapologetically about the Gospel said he thinks it is his "duty to do this preaching in this way for our Lord."

"If you speak out loud and clearly about the truth of the Bible, that there's only one way to heaven and this way is Jesus Christ, there is only one God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and there is no other god beside Him, then you have a problem," Pastor Olaf Latzel said, referring to what critics say about him and his preaching.

Latzel preaches at the historic St. Martini Church in Bremen, Germany, where Joachim Neander wrote the famous hymn, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" in 1679. He is committed to boldly preaching about Jesus, reports Christian Today.

Latzel saif he believes Germany, as well as many nations today, "is covered by profound spiritual darkness."

The pastor has been attacked in the media, but also investigated by local government officials, and even criticized by fellow pastors for what they see as his hard-line approach. He said he will not be backing down, however, and that this conflict only proves that there is a spiritual "war" between Christ and the devil.

"I am nothing. I am only a sinner. I am only a tool for Jesus Christ. And when Jesus can use this tool, give any honor to Jesus Christ. I am nothing," he stated.

In a CBN News clip this week, Olaf was asked if Muslims and Christians worship the same God. He said no, and his response drew much controversy.

Germany was the birthplace of the Reformation and was once a base for world missions, however local residents report traditional Christian teaching is viewed by many as bigoted, hateful and even "un-Christian."

"I'm only preaching the Gospel in a clear way," Latzel said.

In his sermons, CBN reports Latzel cuts no corners. He soft-pedals nothing. But Latzel is standing against what he sees as a spirit of compromise that seems to have swallowed Germany and the German state church.

In the process, he has angered the German establishment and even a lot of German pastors.

Latzel said the chief battle in the German church today now is over who God is. He said some Christian pastors have said "Allah and Jesus Christ, the Christian God, is the same god."

"But if you ask a Muslim, 'Does your god have a son?' he would say no!" he continued. "Our (Christian) God has a son; his name is Jesus Christ. So, they are not the same."

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