German Christians was formed in 1932 and led by Ludwig Mueller . The group were supportive of the Nazi ideas about race and adopted Martin Luther's anti-Semitism, as well as his respect for state authority. They issued public statements that those Christians in Germany who had Jewish ancestors "remain Christians in a New Testament sense, but are not German Christians." Also they supported the call from the Nazi party platform for a "positive Christianity" that does not stress human sinfulness . Some went so far as to call for removal of the "Jewish" Old Testament from the Bible. The group wanted to form a Reich Church which would bring together all Protestants in Germany. Their symbol was a traditional Christian cross with a swastika in the middle and the letter "D" and "C". The Nazis found the group useful during their initial consolidation of power, but removed most of its leaders from their posts shortly afterwards; from about 1935 it ceased being a significant factor.

The movement was opposed by the Confessing Church.