"Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" by Eric Metaxas
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas is the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, pastor, and resistance figure against the Nazis. The book follows Bonhoeffer through his life, from his upbringing in a wealthy, intellectual family, to his studies at university, his travels abroad, and his eventual involvement in the resistance against the Nazi regime.
The Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Born in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland) in 1906, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was the sixth child of Karl and Paula Bonhoeffer. His father was a professor of neurology and psychiatry, and his mother came from a family of theologians and social reformers. Bonhoeffer grew up in a privileged environment, surrounded by intellectuals and artists, and was exposed to a variety of cultures from an early age.
At the age of 14, Bonhoeffer decided to become a theologian, and soon after enrolled at the University of Tübingen, where he studied under some of the most prominent theologians of the time. He later continued his studies in Berlin, where he was influenced by the radical theology of Karl Barth, and in New York, where he was exposed to the social gospel movement.
After completing his studies, Bonhoeffer became a pastor in the German evangelical church, and soon gained a reputation as a dynamic preacher and theologian. He was outspoken in his opposition to the Nazis, and actively campaigned against their racist and anti-Semitic policies.
The Resistance Movement
In 1933, Bonhoeffer became a founding member of the Confessing Church, a movement of Christians who refused to accept the Nazi takeover of the German church. He became a leader within the movement, and wrote extensively on the relationship between the church and the state.
As the Nazi regime became increasingly repressive, Bonhoeffer became involved in the resistance movement. He and his brother-in-law Hans von Dohnanyi were part of a group that helped Jews escape from Germany, and Bonhoeffer himself was involved in a failed plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
In 1943, Bonhoeffer was arrested and imprisoned in Berlin's Tegel prison, where he continued to write and minister to his fellow prisoners. Despite international efforts to secure his release, he was executed in 1945, just weeks before the end of the war.
The Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Bonhoeffer's writings, including The Cost of Discipleship and Letters and Papers from Prison, have had a profound impact on Christian theology and ethics. His emphasis on the importance of action, rather than just belief, has inspired generations of Christians to be socially and politically engaged.
Eric Metaxas' biography is a comprehensive and engaging account of Bonhoeffer's life and legacy. Metaxas clearly has a deep admiration for Bonhoeffer, but he does not shy away from acknowledging his flaws and contradictions.
- One criticism of the book is that it sometimes feels overly detailed, particularly in its accounts of Bonhoeffer's early life. However, this attention to detail does create a nuanced and multi-dimensional portrait of the man.
- Another criticism is that Metaxas sometimes overemphasizes Bonhoeffer's role in the resistance movement, at the expense of the many other individuals who were involved. However, this can be seen as a testament to Bonhoeffer's influence and importance within the movement.
Overall, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy is a well-written and informative book that will be of interest to anyone interested in the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, or in the role of religion in political and social movements. Metaxas' admiration for Bonhoeffer is evident throughout, but he also does a good job of presenting a balanced and nuanced portrait of the man and his legacy.