Hunting Eichmann

Yesterday I finished reading Hunting Eichmann by Neal Bascomb. It was recommended to me by a co-worker, whose judgement I trust as to whether a book is good.

Hunting Eichmann is about the hunt for and capture of Adolph Eichmann, the "operational manager" of the Final Solution implemented by the Nazis against the Jewish people. I had heard of Eichmann, but really didn't know much about him and his role in the Holocaust.

The story, for being so full of characters and facts, flowed very well. I can't remember the last non-fiction book I read that was as hard to put down. Even though I basically knew the ending of the story, it was still suspenseful reading about the actual events leading up to the discovery, capture, and trial of Eichmann.

I learned at least three things that bothered me. The United States was more interested in "acquiring" top German scientists after the war than it was in apprehending those who committed war crimes. The Catholic church seemed to be very involved in helping Nazis escape to other countries after the war. The West German government formed after the war (I assume with the help of the Allied nations) contained ex-Nazis.

What I will probably remember most from reading this book, though, is something entirely different. After Eichmann was convicted and awaiting the result of his appeal, a Canadian Protestant missionary in Jerusalem met with him and urged him to repent and put his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. Eichmann refused and went to his death (as far as I know) without knowing Christ. At least one of the men who helped capture Eichmann was there when he was hanged.

Here's the thing. Adolph Eichmann was responsible for the deaths of millions of Jews. Those who brought him to justice did a good thing, but if they did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they were still headed to the same place as Eichmann. According to Romans 3:23, we have ALL sinned, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), no matter the size of the sin, big or small. God has given us a free gift, though. He died on the cross for us to pay the price for that sin, so we wouldn't have to. We just have to admit that we have sinned, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died on the cross for us, and ask Him to save us.