Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.

Book Review.
Metaxas, Eric. Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Thomas Nelson. 2010.
E.M.- author, Writer for New York Times, Washington Post, Atlantic Monthly. Cultural commentator. Founder and host of Socrates in the City.
Comment. Henry.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s contributions to the Christian community were primarily in the area of theology. In this resource we learn about his life as it was impacted by and contributed to Germany as a nation during a very turbulent time of its history. It was during this time that he was indeed at different times, a ‘pastor, martyr, prophet and spy’. The author has taken great pains to give clarity to Bonhoeffer’s life and activities that some have found problematic. This is a challenging, informative read.
Dietrich’s family, on both his father’s and mother’s side was upper-class. He and his twin sister were the second youngest of a family of eight children. His oldest brother was killed in WW1. His aspirations to become a theologian were not something that was expected by the rest of the family. His theological training involved travels to and educational involvement in Berlin University, Rome, as a pastor in Barcelona, and as a student in Union Seminary (New York)
With the installation of the “Fuhrer Principle” (148) Hitler became the chancellor of Germany and in short order “raw power ruled, and its only goal was to destroy all other power besides itself”. (149) Any resistance to this movement was considered treason and in particular Jews were targeted. Hitler was able to persuade the state church to support his national agenda. Dietrich was part of the “Confessing Church” (222) which was the official body of believers in Germany which did not support Hitler. One of Hitler’s goals was the nationalizing of Christianity as a Nazi religion under his control.
Dietrich’s work as a pastor took place in Germany but also in England with a short assignment in Barcelona. “His sermons were strong meat for parishioners used to a much lighter fare.” ( 202) He was very involved in the ecumenical of the day. Karl Barth was one of his associates in the crusade for the Confessing Church that produced the “Barmen Declaration” (222) in 1934. It was the official document of the German Evangelical Church.
I will not attempt to summarize or review Bonhoeffer’s theology or theological position accept to say he extreme in his opposition to anything having to do with Hitler’s murderous Nazism In fact he was prepared to become involved in violence (a conspiracy) to bring it to an end. He was against war but he was not a pacifist. The use of force was valid when battling evil.
Becoming a martyr was Bonhoeffer’s choice. He had several opportunities to legitimately leave Germany and continue his crusade against Hitler from abroad but this he felt was not God’s will for him. His experience demonstrated graphically the viciousness of the Third Reich. For many of his associates Bonhoeffer became a political ‘Blitzableiter’ (lightening rod). He was executed at Flossenurg on April 9, 1945. Three weeks later the Allies entered this area liberating others that were designated for execution.
There is much that has gone unmentioned in this review. For those interested in this topic I say, by all means read the book. It is among other things a heart wrenching story.
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