Sign in with FacebookMike (the Paladin)'s Reviews > Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
by Eric Metaxas
by Eric Metaxas
Let me say first that this is a wonderful book. Congratulations Mr. Metaxas.
From an account of Bonhoeffer's life to the overlay of history I was drawn in and followed it. There is (of course) for me a sort of bittersweet sense to the book as Bonhoeffer died just before the end of WWII. He was murdered about 3 weeks before Hitler took his own life more than likely having been murdered on the orders of the mad man himself.
Some will not be as interested in the theological insights that can be found here but it was a major part of what I love(ed) about the book. Bonhoeffer has a lot to say and whether a Christian holds with all his insights or not they are still worth reading.
Of course a major part of the book (and why it was selected here) has to do with Bonhoeffer's disgust with the way the Jews were treated in Nazi Germany. Having visited America and expressing his concern over the racial situation here (pre-WWII America) he was relieved that no corollary existed in his own Germany. Having thought this the situation that met him when he returned home from his short visit to America was doubly troubling for him.
I was not aware before I read this book of Bonhoeffer's involvement with the long running conspiracy to kill Hitler. I had been aware of the earlier abortive attempts. These do always seem creepy to me as Hitler always seemed to escape from situations where he shouldn't have. The books account of Bonhoeffer's thoughts and concerns the struggle he has before he moves in that direction. The man moved from being almost a pacifist to participating in a conspiracy. Rather amazing.
I can't possibly give an insight into all you'll find here. Bonhoeffer was an amazing person, a devout and humble Christian and a resource for us still today through his writings. While I can not escape the feeling of loss, outrage and sadness at the death of Bonhoeffer at such a young age, he himself was ready for his death and met it with calmness and faith. A special individual and a good book.
Highly recommended.
From an account of Bonhoeffer's life to the overlay of history I was drawn in and followed it. There is (of course) for me a sort of bittersweet sense to the book as Bonhoeffer died just before the end of WWII. He was murdered about 3 weeks before Hitler took his own life more than likely having been murdered on the orders of the mad man himself.
Some will not be as interested in the theological insights that can be found here but it was a major part of what I love(ed) about the book. Bonhoeffer has a lot to say and whether a Christian holds with all his insights or not they are still worth reading.
Of course a major part of the book (and why it was selected here) has to do with Bonhoeffer's disgust with the way the Jews were treated in Nazi Germany. Having visited America and expressing his concern over the racial situation here (pre-WWII America) he was relieved that no corollary existed in his own Germany. Having thought this the situation that met him when he returned home from his short visit to America was doubly troubling for him.
I was not aware before I read this book of Bonhoeffer's involvement with the long running conspiracy to kill Hitler. I had been aware of the earlier abortive attempts. These do always seem creepy to me as Hitler always seemed to escape from situations where he shouldn't have. The books account of Bonhoeffer's thoughts and concerns the struggle he has before he moves in that direction. The man moved from being almost a pacifist to participating in a conspiracy. Rather amazing.
I can't possibly give an insight into all you'll find here. Bonhoeffer was an amazing person, a devout and humble Christian and a resource for us still today through his writings. While I can not escape the feeling of loss, outrage and sadness at the death of Bonhoeffer at such a young age, he himself was ready for his death and met it with calmness and faith. A special individual and a good book.
Highly recommended.
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Sandi
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01 avr. 21:13
Our pastor has been working Bonhoeffer into his sermons quite a lot lately. A couple of weeks ago he mentioned that he'd been reading a biography about him. I strongly suspect this is the book he was talking about. As a Lutheran, I had heard of Bonhoeffer as a Lutheran pastor who stood up to the Nazis. I just didn't know the extent. I've had this on my Audible wish list for a while and just need to listen to the books I have on my iPod now before I download this.
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I was surprised a bit at his involvement. Like many Christians I was aware of Martin Niemöller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer as theologians who stood against the Nazis and was aware that Bonhoeffer had died. He was at one time all but a pacifist but was driven to confront what a Christian must "do" in the face of such evil. His choices were capitulation or resistance. Since capitulation meant violating God's word he came the conclusion he did.Many aren't aware of how antichristian Hitler and the Nazis were (as Hitler would put up a sort of "semichristian" front in public using Christian language etc.) I'd read enough and for that matter seen documentaries and knew the Nazis were not Christian..but I was unaware of the "German Christian Church" per se which the Nazis set up. (Though I was aware of the orders given concerning churches and the Nazis plans to remove all Christian symbology and the Bible. This is covered quite well though somewhat quickly here).
The book has a wealth of information on the time as well as the man.
Of course I guess you knew I like it, I gave it 5 stars. :)
It must have taken Bonhoeffer a great deal of prayer and soul-searching to reach the conclusion that he did. One of the foundations of Lutheranism is separation of church and state because Luther had a huge problem with the way the Catholic church controlled the governments of Europe in his time. In church, we've always been told that the separation of church and state protects the church as well as the state. Obviously, the Nazis crossed that line.I'm going to have to move this up on my list.
There is/are some deep discussion on that topic in the book. I say is/are as it takes place in a decentralized way. In other words, there isn't a chapter on separation of church and state, but it is a topic that Bonhoeffer was so concerned with that he returned to it many times during his struggle. And you are correct. I came away from the book with a feeling that Bonhoeffer was indeed a man of prayer.
