First off, this book was a challenge for even an avid book worm like me to complete in one month! With over 530 pages you get a very detailed account of the beginning, middle, and end of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I received this book for Christmas and have enjoyed learning about this fellow believer who gave his life to try and save Germany from the crash course it was on.
Born on February 6th, 1906, Dietrich was the 6th of 8 children in a well-to-do German family. His father, a psychiatrist and neurologist, while not a religious man did not mind his wife's faith and allowed her to teach the children. With such an illustrious father along with one older brother who was a lawyer and another brother who was a scientist, it was quite surprising to the Bonhoeffer family when Dietrich informed them that he had a chosen a profession in theology; he was 14. When he was 17 he entered Berlin University, earning his doctorate by age 21. During his time there he continued to have a ""free, critical and independent" theological thinking". After college he traveled to many countries including Spain, America, and England. Frequently he compared the different theological differences in each country and eloquently explained his view and why. His conviction that the Bible and the Bible alone was enough to answer all questions put him at odds with many professors and theologians all over the world. As Hitler began to infiltrate the German church, Bonhoeffer, according to God's calling, set out to try and separate the church from the world. Although many believed and followed him, the church was too far gone to completely turn around. Finally, Pastor Bonhoeffer with several other pastors and teachers separated from the church of Germany and called themselves the "Confessing Church". As Germany became more hostile to Christians and Jews Bonhoeffer, with the help of foreign friends, decided to leave for America before the borders were closed. Although he made it safely to the US he was never content. After much prayer and indecisiveness he felt the Lord leading him back to his home country. He knew that hostility, persecution, and possibly death awaited him but where the Lord led he followed. Not too long after his return Dietrich joined the Abwehr (similar to the CIA or FBI here in the USA) and personally began to assist in the plot(s) against Hitler. Eventually the Gestapo arrested the most prominent members of the Abwehr because of some vague suspicions. After the failed Stauffenberg Plot (arranged and carried out by members of the Abwehr) Hitler had all those involved, even remotely, executed. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was transferred to several different Nazi concentration camps before he was executed at Flossenburg; 2 weeks before Hitlers suicide.
Bonhoeffer fought to save Germany and then fought to save the world. He was considered a passifist to some degree but when the monster of a ruler was about to take over the whole world, he felt that it was his duty to do all he could to save it. In this case it meant getting rid of the monster - Hitler. In order to understand more of this complicated subject you must read this book! I don't really know what I would've done if I had been in this situation. I lean more towards the command "Thou shalt not murder", but would it have been murder or justice? Hmm...
Although long it was very informative and I learned many new things about World War II, Germany, and Hitler.
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Born on February 6th, 1906, Dietrich was the 6th of 8 children in a well-to-do German family. His father, a psychiatrist and neurologist, while not a religious man did not mind his wife's faith and allowed her to teach the children. With such an illustrious father along with one older brother who was a lawyer and another brother who was a scientist, it was quite surprising to the Bonhoeffer family when Dietrich informed them that he had a chosen a profession in theology; he was 14. When he was 17 he entered Berlin University, earning his doctorate by age 21. During his time there he continued to have a ""free, critical and independent" theological thinking". After college he traveled to many countries including Spain, America, and England. Frequently he compared the different theological differences in each country and eloquently explained his view and why. His conviction that the Bible and the Bible alone was enough to answer all questions put him at odds with many professors and theologians all over the world. As Hitler began to infiltrate the German church, Bonhoeffer, according to God's calling, set out to try and separate the church from the world. Although many believed and followed him, the church was too far gone to completely turn around. Finally, Pastor Bonhoeffer with several other pastors and teachers separated from the church of Germany and called themselves the "Confessing Church". As Germany became more hostile to Christians and Jews Bonhoeffer, with the help of foreign friends, decided to leave for America before the borders were closed. Although he made it safely to the US he was never content. After much prayer and indecisiveness he felt the Lord leading him back to his home country. He knew that hostility, persecution, and possibly death awaited him but where the Lord led he followed. Not too long after his return Dietrich joined the Abwehr (similar to the CIA or FBI here in the USA) and personally began to assist in the plot(s) against Hitler. Eventually the Gestapo arrested the most prominent members of the Abwehr because of some vague suspicions. After the failed Stauffenberg Plot (arranged and carried out by members of the Abwehr) Hitler had all those involved, even remotely, executed. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was transferred to several different Nazi concentration camps before he was executed at Flossenburg; 2 weeks before Hitlers suicide.Bonhoeffer fought to save Germany and then fought to save the world. He was considered a passifist to some degree but when the monster of a ruler was about to take over the whole world, he felt that it was his duty to do all he could to save it. In this case it meant getting rid of the monster - Hitler. In order to understand more of this complicated subject you must read this book! I don't really know what I would've done if I had been in this situation. I lean more towards the command "Thou shalt not murder", but would it have been murder or justice? Hmm...
Although long it was very informative and I learned many new things about World War II, Germany, and Hitler.
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
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