Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson, 2010)
Subtitled “Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy,”
Bonhoeffer traces the shaping of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s thoughts and life from childhood until his execution in 1945 as an enemy of the Third Reich.
This interesting and educational account is scholarly enough for academics yet accessible to the average reader. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was highly intelligent as well as intensely committed to living out his faith. Some of the quotes from his writings, shared to illustrate the progression of his understanding of his calling, are more intellectual than I easily digest, but others are practical enough for all.
Watching Bonhoeffer’s perspective on Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and subsequent destruction of the German nation helps readers understand the times. It reveals how this man, a committed Christian and a conscientious objector to fighting in the German army, could feel compelled to be part of a plot to kill Hitler.
Bonhoeffer’s observations of the German church (and the American church) troubled him. “What is the church?” (as in what is the church supposed to be) was his life-long question. To him, it involved listening to God and obeying Him in full trust and submission. His part in the church came to mean working to end the injustices inflicted on the Jews, the handicapped, and those who opposed Hitler’s evil ways.
The description of the “well-meaning Christians in Germany” raised troubling parallels in the present day:
They were convinced that if they bent their theology a bit, it wouldn’t matter—the results would be all right in the end. Many of them honestly believed that under Hitler the opportunities for evangelism would increase. [p. 155-156]
At times I felt the writing was overly complex:
Public figures eager to curry
favor with the increasingly popular dictator would outdo each other in contortedcalisthenics of sycophancy. [p. 307]
At other times, I appreciated the chance to laugh:
Indeed, for two days the British engaged in
diplomatic back and forth, but at somepoint someone lent Chamberlain a vertebra, for against Hitler’s calculations, on Sunday, Great Britain declared war. [p. 348]
Perhaps what impacted me most was a quote from Bonhoeffer about grief:
Where God tears great gaps we should not try to fill them with human words. They should remain open. Our only comfort is the God of the resurrection, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who also was and is his God. [p. 349]
Thought-provoking discussion questions offer readers the chance to process what they’ve read—and to apply it to the times in which they live.
The book was published to honour the 65th anniversary of Bonhoeffer’s death and went on to become a New York Times bestseller. Eric Metaxas has written biographies of other Christian figures as well as other books, including over 30 books for children. For more about the author, visit ericmetaxas.com.
[Review copy from my personal library.]
This is a book that I also read a few years back. I found it to be a fascinating read, and it helped capture the spirit of the times, as well as providing a great deal of insight into Bonhoeffer’s character and theology. The book and Bonhoeffer’s life have implications for us today that thoughtful Christians need to explore.
There you go, David. Your short comment is a more succinct review than my paragraphs. Well said, and I agree.