A Question For Our Times...

[Meg]

I have been given to study the life and theology of Deitrich Bonhoeffer this year. A few people here have heard of him, more so some in Europe. As with any well known person, it is advisable to get as close to the facts as possible, and bypass the opinions of people who have exploited his work for their own agenda.

I was just now doing some background research in an effort to decide if i should add one of Bonhoeffer's books to my collection or two. The following insight is from Eberhard Bethge, Bonhoeffer's closest friend, the man who knew all Bonhoeffer's deepest thoughts. It is a challenging statement from a man who lived a challenging life fully dedicated to Jesus Christ:


My Friend Dietrich - Christian History & Biography - ChristianityTodayLibrary.com

Because only when the July 20 assassination attempt failed was it revealed to all the world that Bonhoeffer and his friends, in any case, did not stand on the side of the murdering Devil. They stood rather on the side of the God-forsaken victims. As a German, Bonhoeffer had felt guilt-laden connections to his nation’s murder of the Jews. At last the terrible time of increasing guilt was over. The time of complicity with the perpetrators had ended. That is why Bonhoeffer could write “I thankfully and peacefully reflect on … things present.”

Suddenly this new insight opened up still other lines from Dietrich’s letters from those days. Even the world changed by half a century has not diminished, but rather expanded, the question of whether and how we are responsible citizens. Are we mature members of our society, states, corporations, and churches? We set embarrassing or helpful examples for those who follow. Unavoidably, we corrupt or renew the Christian claim and faith. Even in the nuclear, ecological, and feminist age, no one eludes the demands of citizenship with which Bonhoeffer struggled.

If we can be sure of the best answer to that last question, we will honor Jesus Christ in everything we do.

[mikhen7]

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a man of God with a heart for God. I read a lot of his work in college and I was very impressed with his heart and the things he wrote, especially on the topic of discipleship. Truly, he struggled with his birth nation. He like many other German Christians had to make tough choices that most of us have never come close to making. In the end there was only one thing that mattered, and He made the right decisions even though they cost him his life; he sided with God.

God bless

[Meg]

I just finished the first read of Eric Metaxas' biography. Its still sinking in, an outstanding read. I ordered Bonhoeffer's Ethics and Cost Of Discipleship; I'm especially looking forward to Ethics.

I'm curious, Mike, what stuck with you since you read his work in college?

[mikhen7]

Hi Meg! His neverending relentless devotion to the truthful teachings of scripture! He paid for it with his life. He could have easily ignored the abominations his country was perpetrating on innocents like many others and saved his life. Instead he chose to follow a path that the Lord called him too despite the dangers that lie ahead. He was a true man of God.

God bless

[king'sbloomingrose]

My dad has that book too by Eric Metaxus. I should really put it on my list of books to read and read it in the next several days. My thought about Bonhoffer's life is if that guy could be so dedicated to God then why can't I? He struggled with the same issues, lived in similar times...I just hope and pray that God would make me a witness for Him like He used Bonhoffer.