By Thomas Wabel

After some initial background information on the relation of church and state in
the German context, the article examines reactions by churches and other Christian
groups in Germany to the Covid-19 containment measures. While representatives of
mainline churches focussed on consolation in the crisis and support state measures, a
minority of radical voices acted in a polarising way, offering interpretations in terms
of spiritual warfare, betrayal of the gospel, and conspiracy theories, and regarding
themselves as victims of health policy. It is argued that the Christian tradition is in
itself ambiguous and can be used in destructive ways, and that clarification of concepts
is a task of public theology. The paper concludes by pointing out opportunities for the
contribution of religions to a critical assessment of the handling of this crisis in the
state and society.