From ‘Spiritual Contact’ to Political Involvement

Abstract

This chapter looks at Visser ’t Hooft’s political involvement during the war. It shows his own vision of how the war could bring revival for reconstruction. He hoped the war would lead to a revival of the church in preparation for reconstruction. The chapter sketches his involvement in setting up the Swiss Road, the tensions between civilian and military resistance, his disappointment in the Dutch government in exile. He had wanted to concern himself with spiritual contact, Geestelijk Contact, between the government in exile and the people of the occupied Netherlands, contributing to reflection and repentance. His task was more than passing on messages – it was also exercising spiritual influence.