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THE ATOMIC BOMB AND THE END OF THE WORLD by W.D. Herrstrom

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THE ATOMIC BOMB AND THE END OF THE WORLD

Despite its incendiary cover, "The Atomic Bomb and the End of the World" (1945) is more interested in conveying to the reader that we've got at least another thousand years left before we really have to worry (we're still "good" as of this writing). The author, W.D. Herrstrom, a self-proclaimed "world traveler and prophetic analyst," spends most of the 48 pages of his timely pamphlet linking biblical prophesy to the Bomb ("And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God" – Rev. 16:9). But he also takes time out to slam FDR:

America for twelve years, had a ruler, who, to millions of people was"God." And even yet, many people are worshipping "a dead man," instead of "the living Christ." It will require a century of "good statesmanship" to undo the damage which our nation has suffered as a result of "a decade of man-worship."

W. D. Herrstrom, World Traveler, Prophetic Analyst, Anti-Semite

Herrstrom, who it is safe to say, was not the nurse-kissing sailor in Alfred Eisenstadt's famous Times Square photograph, also devotes some space to attacking V-J Day revelers:

Eye-witnesses to of the V-J day celebrations, observed that men and women, boys and girls, publicly and brazenly demonstrated their immorality in the sight of tens of thousands of persons. This moral degeneracy of American youth is nauseating to contemplate.

Not unlike the ridiculously optimistic civil defense pamphlets that would proliferate in later years, Herrstrom closes his booklet with some simple "steps" on "How to be Saved." Unlike the U.S. government's attempts at survival advice, there is no mention of fallout shelters or canned food here (who needs a Geiger counter when you have Jesus?).

The following are excerpts:

Do not permit any one to frighten you by telling you that the atomic bomb will bring about the end of the world. IT WILL NOT!

Do not be upset by the anticipation of another world war.

BE CONCERNED ABOUT ONLY "ONE THING" – your own personal relationship toward the Lord.

If you are "SAVED," the Lord will take you out of the world BEFORE that final war takes place.

If you are "SAVED," the end of the world will hold no terror for you, when it comes, a thousand years hence.

"The Atomic Bomb and the End of the World" is a fascinating window into how the evangelical community reacted to the opening of the atomic age. In an odd way this pamphlet seeks to serve as a reminder to Christians that God predated the Bomb and that the Apocalypse will be on His time table and no one else's. What with the atom taking up prime headline space in '45 and thereafter, perhaps it is understandable that religious leaders felt threatened.

William D. (W.D.) Herrstrom was the author of numerous booklets (including the memorably titled "Seventy Five Reasons Why Community Water Supplies Should Not be Fluoridated") and he also edited the monthly "Bible News Flashes" ("a monthly prophetic magazine"). Herrstrom also has the despicable distinction of being one of the earliest Holocaust deniers.

How To Be Saved - from W. D. Herrstrom's 'The Atomic Bomb and the End of the World'

THE ATOMIC BOMB AND THE END OF THE WORLD
by W.D. Herrstrom
Copyright 1945
48 pp

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