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Bonhoeffer: A Biography

Eric Metaxas

4.23(77667 readers)
WHO BETTER TO FACE THE GREATEST EVIL OF THE 20TH CENTURY THAN A HUMBLE MAN OF FAITH?

As Adolf Hitler and the Nazis seduced a nation, bullied a continent, and attempted to exterminate the Jews of Europe, a small number of dissidents and saboteurs worked to dismantle the Third Reich from the inside. One of these was Dietrich Bonhoeffer a pastor and author, known as much for such spiritual classics as "The cost of Discipleship "and "Life Together," as for his 1945 execution in a concentration camp for his part in the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

In the first major biography of Bonhoeffer in forty years, "New York Times" best-selling author Eric Metaxas takes both strands of Bonhoeffer's life?the theologian and the spy?to tell a searing story of incredible moral courage in the face of monstrous evil. In a deeply moving narrative, Metaxas uses previously unavailable documents?including personal letters, detailed journal entries, and firsthand personal accounts?to reveal dimensions of Bonhoeffer's life and theology never before seen.

In "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy"?"A Righteous Gentiel vs the Third Reich," Metaxas presents the fullest accounting of Bonhoeffer's heart-wrenching 1939 decision to leave the safe haven of America for Hitler's Germany, and using extended excerpts from love letters and coded messages written to and from Bonhoeffer's Cell 92, Metaxas tells for the first time the full story of Bonhoeffer's passionate and tragic romance.

Readers will discover fresh insights and revelations about his life-changing months at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and about his radical position on why Christians are obliged to stand up for the Jews. Metaxas also sheds new light on Bonhoeffer's reaction to Kristallnacht, his involvement in the famous Valkyrie plot and in "Operation 7," the effort to smuggle Jews into neutral Switzerland.

"Bonhoeffer" gives witness to one man's extraordinary faith and to the tortured fate of the nation he sought to deliver from the curse of Nazism. It brings the reader face to face with a man determined to do the will of God radically, courageously, and joyfully?even to the point of death. "Bonhoeffer" is the story of a life framed by a passion for truth and a commitment to justice on behalf of those who face implacable evil.


"Insightful and illuminating, this tome makes a powerful contribution to biography, history and theology." ?"Publishers Weekly"

"[A] massive and masterful new biography." ?"Christianity Today"

"Metaxas tells Bonhoeffer's story with passion and theological sophistication." ?"Wall Street Journal"

"Metaxas magnificently captures the life of theologian and anti-Nazi activist Dietrich Bonhoeffer . . . A definitive Bonhoeffer biography for the 21st Century." ?"Kirkus""

Publisher

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Publication Date

4/20/2010

ISBN

9781418556341

Pages

617

Categories

History

About the Author

Portrait of author Eric Metaxas
Eric Metaxas
In a decidedly eclectic career, Eric Metaxas has written for VeggieTales, Chuck Colson, Rabbit Ears Productions and the New York Times, four things not ordinarily in the same sentence. He is a best-selling author whose biographies, children’s books, and works of popular apologetics have been translated into more than 25 languages.

Questions & Answers

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's upbringing and family background significantly shaped his theological beliefs and his stance against the Nazi regime. His family, steeped in a rich intellectual and religious heritage, emphasized the importance of a deep, personal faith and a commitment to serving others. His mother's piety and his family's musical evenings instilled in him a love for the Bible and a sense of community. His father's agnostic yet tolerant approach to religion taught him to question and think critically, fostering a balanced view of faith and reason.

Bonhoeffer's decision to study theology was influenced by his family's values and his own intellectual curiosity. His exposure to various theological traditions, including his experience in Rome, broadened his understanding of the church and its universal nature, which contrasted sharply with the Nazi ideology of a church defined by racial identity. His family's liberal and progressive values, combined with his own theological education, led him to reject the "cheap grace" of formalism and the "legalism" of salvation by works, advocating instead for a costly grace that demanded a transformative and active faith.

This background also instilled in Bonhoeffer a strong sense of duty and patriotism, which he channeled into resisting the Nazi regime. His upbringing's emphasis on integrity, service, and the pursuit of justice made him a formidable opponent of the regime's atrocities, leading him to participate in the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler. In essence, Bonhoeffer's family and upbringing provided the foundation for his profound theological insights and his courageous resistance to the Nazi regime.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theological concepts were revolutionary during his time, challenging traditional Christianity in several key ways:

  1. Costly Grace: Bonhoeffer emphasized that true grace is costly, requiring a response of gratitude and obedience. This contrasted with the "cheap grace" of his time, which offered forgiveness without requiring a change in behavior.

  2. Religionless Christianity: He argued that traditional religion could be a barrier to true faith, advocating for a faith that is lived out in daily life and not confined to rituals or institutions.

  3. The Church as a Community: Bonhoeffer believed the church should be a community of believers who support and challenge each other, rather than an institution focused on maintaining tradition.

  4. The Cost of Discipleship: He emphasized that following Christ requires a complete commitment, even if it means suffering or death. This challenged the idea that faith could be pursued without personal sacrifice.

  5. The Church in the World: Bonhoeffer argued that the church should engage with the world, especially in times of social and political turmoil, rather than retreat into isolation.

  6. Theology of the Cross: He developed this concept to emphasize that the message of Jesus, particularly his suffering and death, is the core of Christian theology, not the resurrection.

These ideas challenged the traditional understanding of Christianity by advocating for a more active, engaged, and transformative faith that demanded a deeper commitment to Christ and a more critical approach to religious institutions and practices.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer navigated the complex ethical dilemmas of his time through a profound commitment to his faith and a clear understanding of the moral imperative to resist evil. His involvement with the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler was rooted in his belief in the necessity of taking a stand against tyranny and injustice. Bonhoeffer saw the Nazi regime as a direct threat to the values of human dignity and freedom, which he believed were essential to Christian ethics.

He was deeply influenced by the concept of "costly grace," which emphasized that true faith requires a willingness to sacrifice for others. This informed his decision to participate in the conspiracy, as he saw it as a duty to protect the innocent and uphold the principles of justice and humanity. Despite the risks, Bonhoeffer remained steadfast in his conviction, demonstrating a remarkable moral courage that has since made him an iconic figure in the fight against tyranny. His actions were a testament to his belief that evil must be confronted, even at the cost of one's own life.

The German church played a complex role in the rise of the Nazi regime. Initially, many churches were hesitant to openly oppose the Nazis, fearing persecution. However, as the regime's policies became more extreme, some churches began to resist. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a prominent theologian and pastor, responded by actively opposing the Nazi ideology. He criticized the church's complacency and the concept of "cheap grace," which he believed allowed Christians to ignore their moral responsibilities. Bonhoeffer's involvement in the resistance movement, including plotting to assassinate Hitler, demonstrated his commitment to standing against the regime's atrocities. His actions and theological writings continue to inspire Christians today for their moral courage and resistance to evil.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life and legacy profoundly influence contemporary discussions on faith, ethics, and social justice. His commitment to costly grace, which emphasizes the transformative power of faith, challenges modern interpretations of religion that focus on formalism or legalism. His stance against the Nazi regime, particularly his involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler, exemplifies ethical courage and resistance to tyranny, inspiring contemporary activists and leaders. Bonhoeffer's theological work, including "The Cost of Discipleship," encourages a faith that demands sacrifice and social engagement. His emphasis on the church's role in social justice and his critique of the church's complicity with the Nazis prompt discussions on religious responsibility in the face of oppression. His life continues to serve as a beacon for those seeking to integrate faith with social action, fostering a dialogue on the intersection of spirituality and social justice.

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