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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.

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.

Awesome review Mike!! I really got to get started on this book!

Agree with you. This book and a crossing or the drop's history by Anatoliy Obraztsov are the best I've read this summer

I started reading this book a long while ago and today I finally decided to start reading it again. I know that it is a great book and your comments confirm it. Thanks and God Bless You All!

This book grabbed my interest right from the start and held it to the end. I had only a vague understanding of Bonhoeffer's role in the Nazi opposition before reading this book. It is not only an excellent biography, it is also an historical account of the German church and WWII in general. Excellent read.

I gotta get this book but I can't find it here ( Nepal).

Eric Metaxas does a fairly good job of describing the events in Bonhoeffer's life, but says very little about his writings, which reveal a man whose theology is very far removed from the Evangelical view of scripture. Here are a few eye-opening examples: When he was an assistant pastor in Barcelona in 1928, Bonhoeffer told his congregation unequivocally that the Bible is filled with material that is historically unreliable. Even the life of Jesus is “overgrown with legends�� and myth so that we have scant knowledge about the historical Jesus.
Despite the heavy emphasis on calling people to radical discipleship, Bonhoeffer never showed any interest whatsoever in “converting sinners.�� He did not believe that the salvation of souls was a central theme of Scripture, declaring in a 1935 sermon, “We must finally break away from the idea that the gospel deals with the salvation of an individual’s soul.��
In Letters and Papers from Prison he reinforced this, stating that he did not think Sheol, Hades, or Christian redemption were metaphysical realities that exist somewhere in the past or will exist in the future. Rather, they are pictures of that which exists in the here and now.26 During his time in prison, Bonhoeffer complained that the New Testament was too overgrown with “redemption myths.��
in his Christology lectures in 1933 Bonhoeffer claimed, "The biblical witness is uncertain with regard to the virgin birth." Bonhoeffer also rejected the notion of the verbal inspiration of scripture, and in a footnote to Cost of Discipleship he warned against viewing statements about Christ's resurrection as ontological statements (i.e., statements about something that happened in real space and time).
Bonhoeffer believed in the validity of higher biblical criticism, and praised Rudolf Bultmann when he called for demythologizing the New Testament. In his prison writings he called for us to live "as if there were no God." In 1944, toward the end of his life, Bonhoeffer admitted that he was a theologian who "still carries within himself the heritage of liberal theology."

This isn't the place for a discussion of theology. Bonhoffer was a "Protestant" who after the rigged presbytery elections of 33 when the Nazis held a rigged election and basically took over every protestant church (except a few Lutheran churches which it was decided were still "pure") helped in forming the "Confessing Church". The break came when the new leaders of the churches (read Nazis) decided that the Old Testament must be removed from the Bible (it was apparently too Jewish).

Bonhoeffer was a great proponent of Ecumenism and the quotes you refer to are from discussion writings. He was a controversial figure for many reasons even in his own time. He was very impressed by and close to the Black Churches in America. he believed they were much closer to true worship than the more staid and formal churches such as the Anglican/Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran etc.

As to his belief on salvation etc. a lot of that is simply the way his writings are interpreted. In Matt.28 (the Great Commission) Jesus said "go into all the world and make disciples, teaching all that I've said." The interpretation that this means now is the only time/day of salvation or that something like the "Sinner's Prayer" is required for Salvation is a more denominational view.

Yes he discusses some controversial ideas and many of us as Christians may not agree with all of what he says/writes however the same can be said of C.S. Lewis, Karl Barth, D. L. Moody, Billy Graham, Charles Spurgeon or many/any other theologian or Christian Apologist.

To discuss a controversial idea in Christianity does not mean one isn't a Christian.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "This isn't the place for a discussion of theology. Bonhoffer was a "Protestant" who after the rigged presbytery elections of 33 when the Nazis held a rigged election and basically took over every p..."

I am simply making the point that Mataxas tries to portray Bonhoeffer as an Evangelical, which he definitely was not. Christ's great commission was to go into all the world and preach the gospel. And the gospel is Biblically defined as the substitutionary death of Christ for sinners that all who believe in Him might not perish but have everlasting life. Bonhoeffer did not preach this message.

Okay...but this never ends well. The "Good News" or "Gospel" IS that Jesus died for all humanity. Note, that's all humanity. To be an "Evangelical" is to believe in "Evangelizing" the world. That is announcing the Good News.

The type of Evangelical you refer to is primarily Baptist (of several types, Southern, Missionary etc.). The Bible tells us that The Holy Spirit was "poured out on all flesh" on the Day of Pentecost. BUT it only works with those who are being called.

Now here's where you and I will probably disagree.

The Bible says that "Judgement is now begun at the house of God", that is, The Church. However the Bible also says that "God is not willing that any should perish". Therefore those not called NOW will be called later. There are those who will go to hell (whatever hell is) but only those who knowingly refuse God.

Bonhoeffer did teach Salvation through Christ, through Grace. However he also recognized that our understanding is based on a translated Bible and that Christians disagree on how it all works. He was willing to at least study and discuss the areas where we differ in belief. I was raised Baptist but now I'm in a different denomination. I do not believe Baptists arn't Christians I simply came to disagree with certain specifics of their doctrine. I don't preach the need for a sinner's prayer, but I do believe in "Evangelizing" that is announcing the "Good News" to the world.

My sister is in one of the many Churches of God. My brother converted to Roman Catholicism. My Son joined The Church of Christ (again one of them). My daughter is Christian but considers herself nondenominational.

Note: When I performed my son's wedding I had to get special permission as I'm of a different denomination. They had to get permission to have music because their particular Church of Christ doesn't believe in music inside the sanctuary.

But I believe they all can still have a relationship with Jesus.

Bonhoeffer traveled to learn about God and did announce the Grace of God. BUT he was a Theologian and a Professor. His writings reflect his studies, that includes some that I and many other Christians completely disagree with. We can't be afraid to look at the Virgin Birth, Christ's Miracles etc. They are true and therefore can stand scrutiny.

I will agree that Bonhoeffer was not primarily an "Evangelist" that does not mean he wasn't at least in some form an Evangelical. He wasn't what many would call an Evangelical I suppose if by that we hold a specific idea of that group as having to fit the Template of a certain denomination.

Too late to say in short I suppose but bottom line. I think it depends on what you mean by Evangelical and your own perception. Bonhoeffer was a Theologian a teacher and a Christian Apologist. We may not agree with all he said and taught (I know I don't) but I do believe he was a servant Of Jesus.

How can you be a servant of Jesus when you deny most of what the Bible teaches about Him and what He himself taught?: His virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the infallibility of scripture, the historicity of the New Testament (which is overwhelmingly supported by the evidence), the need for the "new birth", the bodily resurrection of Christ, who was seen by over 500 eye witnesses, according to Dr. Luke, a recognized historian of his day, and which is the rock of our salvation. "If Christ is not raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!" (1 Cor. 15:17) And according to Rom:10:9 and the teaching of the apostle Paul, (whom Jesus commissioned to receive and declare further revelation), Bonhoeffer's own salvation is in question: "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." These are lynch pins of Evangelical belief that Bonhoeffer denied. Again, my point is not to argue doctrine with you, but to demonstrate that Metaxas is presenting a "sanitized' version of Bonhoeffer that is palatable to evangelicals, and not an accurate picture of what he really believed and what motivated his actions.

As I noted this kind if discussion never goes well. That was my point. I don't know he denied those things. I do know he discussed these and other things and addressed doubts. I'm not saying he did or did not believe any given doctrine. I know he questioned I don't know of any actual denial.

I'm definitely not say I know the state of his relationship with Christ.

I'm only going with his own basic statements and the way he is viewed. I would hope all Christians would "try the spirits" and like the Bereans search the scriptures to see these things are so.

I have documented his denials for you, but you insist on denying the reality of those. In "The Cost of Discipleship": he "warned against viewing statements about Christ's resurrection as ontological statements. (i.e., statements about something that happened in real space and time). That is a denial of the bodily resurrection of Christ. And I have demonstrated a Berean Spirit in supporting my claims with scripture. I welcome you and anyone else who is interested to bring the light of scripture into this discussion. I am certainly not afraid of it, for I know it will only confirm what I am saying.

Well okay. I'll leave it between him and God. As I said I believe in the resurrected Christ. God will deal with each on their own.

I plan to read the Cost of Discipleship very shortly. Be fun to get to the bottom of this. Bonhoeffer is starting to sound like N.T. Wright - boringly, almost nobody questions his salvation.

Bonhoeffer had some critical struggles in his life and in his theology. He moved from pacifist to participant in the war. His beliefs may be off to one side but I believe he was always trying to please God. I think the state of his soul lies between him and God.

I'm sure that as to theology I'd probably have disagreed with him on some things but then I think most Christians end up disagreeing in something.

There's a Presbyterian pastor, Steve Brown who has a radio show, Key Life who said something I quote often. "When we stand before God He's going to say, I've got good news and I've got bad news. The bad news is...you were all wrong. The good news is...it's okay."

He was young, still learning, yet quite an intellectual, beyond my education. I have read quite a lot of Ethics his last, unfinished works and I got the impression that he is today with Christ but that wouldn't be my decision. I have not read The Cost of Discipleship, I suppose I will now.
It is for others to decide or interpret what they think of what he wrote and did but I agree it is for Christ to decide where we stand when we die and for us to seek our Creator. I was deeply moved by Dietrich's life story. I am glad it isn't up to me to decide, I would hate to have to try to decide on who has repented of sin and had faith. Especially someone who grew up, was educated in such a different place and time.
Sometimes I feel that some people enjoy damning someone else or raising them to Heaven and I don't understand why?
I don't know if I have ever found another who believes exactly as I do and I probably never will.
In my mind Dietrich was heroic and I would have love to have known him to discuss God with him. I also enjoy your reviews though I come on everything late.
I am just now reading Amazing Grace and my interest wanes in Eric's writing from okay enough, get back to the story to enjoying his story telling a great deal. I also enjoy hearing this writer speak. A very talented man.
Please excuse typos it is after 2am.

Typos are just part of life.

Haven’t gotten around to reading this one but Bonhoeffer’s book Ethics is highly recommended.

Metaxas spoke at our Church in Houston recently. I bought Martin Luther after, found another at a library book nook. Will be looking for Bonhoeffer.

Is Atheism Dead is the other I have.

Agreed #Arkofgrace-ministries.com Amanda Grace introduced All of us to the book and now I want to read it. He was a Godly Prophet.

God through His Annointed Prophets has Given His Word, No More Backbiting No More Gossiping This is the Exact Point and No More Legalism Putting God in a Box Limiting God Putting Money over God or kicking God out of the Church all together yes that's happened. WE ✝️ the Body of Christ Jesus are the Church And We are Christians
God No longer wants nor has God ever said Religion (Religion is a dangerous ugly spirit!)
God looks at our Hearts.
Not our minds .
This is the Whole Point of the book.
Look at the Book with Godly Spiritual Eyes. The Lion of Judah is Now TODAY. You can hear the pads of the Lion Hitting the ground.

First, We do not judge its not our seat that belongs to God in Jesus Holy Name.
Secondly if you believe in hell then you know there is a Heaven to gain
Hitler is Hanging on a meat hook in hell! There is a Lake of fire in hell.
It's a choice.