Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

History has never really been "my thing".  It was not interesting in school, so I did not bother to commit details like dates, names of wars, or famous leaders to my long-term memory.  I learned enough to take the tests and pass the classes.  Even now, history is a struggle for me.  But somehow, reading a biography makes it fascinating.  Having a specific person's name and being privy to his thoughts makes history come alive.  Suddenly, I am interested and take note.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian, pastor, spy, and ultimately a martyr.  He lived in Nazi Germany and took part in a plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler.  Eventually, he was discovered and put to death for this role, a mere three weeks before Hitler took his own life.

In reading (and partially listening through) this hefty 600+ page biography by Eric Metaxas, I learned much about Germany that I did not know.  I learned much of Hitler's rise to power.  I learned of the ways he deceived so many well-intentioned people who could not see what he was doing!  But somehow, Bonhoeffer knew, and he sought to do something about it.

In the midst of all this, I learned of Bonhoeffer's work as a theologian and a pastor.  He was a truly amazing man.  He was a deep thinker, firm in his faith and unapologetic for his beliefs.  Though he lived in a time were true persecution was a reality for many like himself, he stood firm to the end.  That steadfastness is respectable.

As I read, I was struck by so many of Bonhoeffer's quotes.  He wrote many letters, and his encouragement to his friends has been preserved in that way.  One thing he wrote that has stuck in my mind, was in a letter to other leaders of the Confessing Church, informing them that a friend and fellow pastor had been killed.  He wrote, "I am sure that he was prepared to go.  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."  What great perspective and response in such a time of suffering!

Though this is a long read, and even a long listen via audiobook, I highly recommend this book.  The theology and history taught throughout is well worth the time investment.  I look forward to reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's literature and learning more from this man.

Rachel's Rating
★★★★☆