in the steps of
BONHOEFFER
1 & Douglas Gilbert by J. Martin Bailey
4
in the steps of
BONHOEFFER by J. Martin Bailey & Douglas Gilbert
5
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chronology of Events
5
1. The Secret of Freedom
11
2. The Tempest of Living
25
3. Freedom Yielded
35
4. The Way to Freedom Eternal
39
Works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
43
7
8
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS The chart follows the timeline of Bonhoeffer’s life, starting at his birth and ending with his death in the concentration camp. Historical dates and content place his life into the context of the events happening in Germany and Europe.
5
TIMELINE OF BONHOEFFER’S LIFE 6
7
Dietrich’s Childhood
February 4, 1906: Dietrich and
17
1923: Dietrich begins theolog-
Sabine born in Breslau to Dr. &
ical studies at Tübingen; visits
Mrs. Karl Bonhoeffer
ancestral home Schwäbisch Hall
25
August 1, 1931: Becomes lecturer in theology at Berlin University October 1, 1931: Becomes chap-
6
1912: Family moves to Berlin
21
where Karl teaches neurology
December 17, 1927: Begins year
lain at Technical College, Berlin
as curate in Barcelona, Spain
November 15, 1931: Ordained at
and psychiatry and heads the University Hospital
24
Matthäis Church
July 31, 1930: Presents inaugural lecture at Berlin
7
1913: Dietrich
November 1931 – March 1932:
(Humboldt) University
Teaches confirmation class at
enters Gymnasium
Zion Church, Berlin-Wedding
September 5, 1930: Leaves for 15
March 15, 1921: Dietrich
New York to study at Union
confirmed at Grünewald
Theological Seminary
26
August 1932: Participates in ecumenical conferences
Church in Berlin January 30, 1933: Adolf Hitler becomes Reich Chancellor February 1, 1933: Dietrich’s radio talk, “Changes in the Concept of the Leader Principle,” is cut off the air before completion February 27, 1933: Reichstag fire
29
Bonhoeffer’s Age 15
17 Dietrich’s Studies
27
April 1933: Dietrich publishes
28
November 5, 1934: London
essay, “The Church and the
congregation breaks with
Jewish Problem.”
Reich Church
30
February 1936: Dietrich lectures in Berlin on discipleship March 7, 1936: Hitler occupies
April 1933: Storm troops
November 25, 1934: Dietrich
begin systematic attacks on
visits Brethren Council prior to
Jews. Non-Aryans (including
synod of the Confessing Church
demilitarized zone of Rhineland August 1 – 5, 1936: Olympics at Berlin. Dietrich preaches at
Dietrich’s brother-in-law) eliminated from public life and professors.
29
April 26, 1935: Dietrich founds
Olympic Village
clandestine Preachers’ Seminary August 5, 1936: Dietrich denied
for Confessing Church at September 7, 1933: Dietrich col-
right to lecture at University
Zingsthof on Baltic Sea
laborates with Martin Niemöller on Pastors’ Emergency League
November 13, 1936: Finkenwalde
June 24, 1935: Seminary moves
student arrested and taken
to Finkenwalde, near Stettin, October 17, 1933: Begins two-
in Pomerania; Bruderhaus built
year pastorate at the Reformed
in Finkenwalde
Church of St. Paul and the German Evangelical Church in Sydenham, London; develops friendship with Bishop G. K. A. Bell of Chichester. Begins writing the Cost of Discipleship
September 1935: Nuremberg Laws cancel citizenship for all German Jews, forbid marriage between Jews and Aryans
to concentration camp on eve of ordination 31
Mid-October 1937: Finkenwalde Seminary closed by Gestapo November 1937: Twenty-seven former Finkenwalde students imprisoned; Dietrich publishes The Cost of Discipleship December 5, 1937: Team curacies are established to continue clandestine training of clergy for Confessing Church
Events in Germany 21
24
25
26
27
28
Dietrich’s Career
32
February 1938: Dietrich makes
33
March 10, 1939: Dietrich visits
34
first contacts with Sack, Oster,
with Bell, Reinhold Niebuhr, W.
Canaris, and Beck in connection
A. Visser ’t Hooft, and Leibholz
March 17, 1940: Gestapo closes
with plot against Hitler
in London
team curacies in Sigurdhof
March 13, 1938: Germany
March 14, 1939: Hitler marches
April 9, 1940: Germany invades
annexes Austria
into Czechoslovakia
Denmark and Norway
September 1938: Dietrich
June 2, 1939: Dietrich leaves for
May 10, 1940: Germany invades
writes Life Together, sees twin
New York, stopping in London
Holland, Belgium, and France
sister Sabine and her husband,
for final visit with Sabine
Gerhard Leibholz, a Jew, off for safety in London
July 27, 1939: As tensions mount in Europe, Dietrich decides to
September 30, 1938: Munich
return to his people
agreement for peace in Europe signed by Hitler and Neville Chamberlain
September 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland; France and Great Britain declare war
November 9, 1938: Kristallnacht. Simultaneous destruction of 600 German synagogues, looting of 7,500 shops, and arrest of 35,000 Jews January 1, 1939: All Jewish businesses liquidated by Göring
two days later
August 1940: Dietrich discusses service in Counterespionage with Oster and his brother-inlaw Dr. Hans von Dohnanyi September 9, 1940: Dietrich is ordered to report to Gestapo and forbidden to speak in public. He begins work on Ethics November 17, 1940: Dietrich is guest of Benedictine Abbey at Ettal while awaiting orders from Counterespionage; he continues work on Ethics
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Dietrich’s Imprisonment
35
June 22, 1941: Germany
37
invades Soviet Union December 11, 1941: Germany
transferred to Buchenwald
searched; Dietrich is arrested
Concentration Camp
their wives are also arrested
Noway, Sweden, Switzerland
May 13, 1943: German-Italian
for Counterespionage
to “Final Solution to the
February 7, 1945: Dietrich
Marienburger Allee 43 is
Dohnanyi and Josef Müller and
1942: Dietrich journeys to
1942: Hitler is committed
39
and taken to Tegel; Hans von
declares war on U.S.A. 36
April 5, 1943: House at
forces surrender in North Africa 38
June 6, 1944: Allies land at Normandy
March 7, 1945: Allied armies cross the Rhine April 3, 1945: Moved from Buchenwald to Regensburg April 6, 1945: Moved to Schoenberg
Jewish Problem.” Dietrich undertakes two journeys to
July 29, 1944: Valkyrie plot
Switzerland; makes contact with
attempt on Hitler’s life fails
April 8, 1945: Transported to Flossenbürg; court-martialed the same night
Visser ’t Hooft October 9, 1944: Dietrich May 30 – June 2, 1942: Meets
transferred to cellar of Gestapo
Bishop Bell in Stockholm
prison in Prinz Albrecht Strasse
orders, Oster, Sack, Canaris, Strünck, Gehre, and Dietrich
and Sigtuna January 1943: German Army
April 9, 1945: On Himmler’s
January 15, 1945: Red armies
Bonhoeffer hanged at
invade East Prussia
Flossenbürg. Red army
surrenders at Stalingrad
reaches Berlin
January 17, 1943: Dietrich
April 30, 1945: Hitler commits
becomes engages to Maria
suicide
von Wedemeyer
May 7, 1945: Germany surrenders
14
1.
THE SECRET OF FREEDOM Self-discipline If you set out to seek freedom, you must learn before all things Mastery over sense and soul, lest your wayward desirings, Lest your undisciplined members lead you now this way, now that way. Chaste be your mind and your body, and subject to you and obedient, Serving solely to seek their appointed goal and objective. None learns the secret of freedom save only by way of control. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Ethics
15
DIETRICH’S EARLY LIFE
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born February 4,
made into a veritable zoo for snakes, lizards,
1906 in Breslau, Poland. He and his twin sister,
and beetles, as well as a museum of butterflies
Sabine were sixth and seventh of eight chil-
and birds’ eggs.
dren. Bonhoeffer’s early life paved the way for
Karl taught his eight children by example.
a lifetime of learning and standing up for what
He was a generous, disciplined, quiet man who
was right.
expected a great deal from his eight children.
The self-discipline Bonhoeffer developed during his childhood and student years provided the matrix for his life of action and suffering to follow. The seeds of his theological
16
His patience was rewarded, for he enjoyed
“You shouldn’t accept money from sick people.”
perceptions were present in the style, ideals,
watching his youngsters grow and develop
friends, and intellectual context of his parents’
their own concerns within a home which was
home in Berlin.
both intellectually and esthetically rich.
People instead of things were valued in
As Dietrich observed his doctor father’s
their upper-middle-class home. Though Karl
devotion to his patients and his tireless search
and Paula Bonhoeffer were strict with their
for the most effective treatment, he devel-
children, the youngsters were encouraged
oped his own sense of compassion. Once he
to pursue their own interests. Dietrich’s twin
“preached” a little sermon to his father when he
sister, Sabine, described a little workshop her
discovered that patients were sent bills: “You
brothers used and another room which they
shouldn’t accept money from sick people.”
1
2
3
1
Dietrich’s parents, Karl & Paula Bonhoeffer
2
Dietrich and his twin sister, Sabine
3
Paula Bonhoeffer with her eight children. Dietrich is pictured third from the left
17
4
Though religion was seldom mentioned
studied theology at the University of Tübingen
in the home, the family conformed to the tra-
in southern Germany when he was only seven-
ditions of the church and Christian ideals and
teen. He served as a curate in Spain five years
the joys of fellowship ran deep. There was no
later and spent a year at Union Theological
surprise in Dietrich’s theological inclinations,
Seminary in New York. His travels to ecumeni-
but the response of the family carried nothing
cal student assemblies and a period of preach-
sentimental or pietistic either. At first, there
ing in London made him an internationalist.
“He determined to make his witness in actions rather than words.” was a lack of appreciation for the choice he had made, but no discouraging word was spoken.
spoke of the emerging ecumenical church as “the indestructible community.” Bonhoeffer’s early life was a disciplined blend of free inquiry, cultural enrichment,
As his interest and passion grew for the-
intensive study, energetic play, and relaxed
ology, he began to articulate concern for the
good humor. His powerful intellect, disci-
oppressed. Dietrich determined to make his
pline, and a deep love for books enabled him
witness in actions rather than words (though
to remain lucid and creative throughout a long
memorable phrases flowed from his pen). He
and worrisome imprisonment. He learned this
longed to serve effectively.
discipline at home and in school. It became
The family’s better-than-average means made it possible for Dietrich to travel. He
18
Once, at a youth conference in Denmark, he
part of his nature. It was his life style. He kept it to the very end.
During Dietrich’s early years, Germany already had reputation as a world superpower. Urbanization was moving quickly and by the early 1900s, Berlin had become one of the great metropolitan centers of the world. Ironically, Germany at this time was the country to which people fled from other regimes to live in peace and prosperity. This great influx of immigration created 5
a work force with more wealth per capita than any other European country. But due to the eclectic mix of cultures and ideas, great social divisions were already beginning to display themselves.
5
4
In 1918, the Bonhoeffer family moved to this pleasant home at Wangenheim Strasse 14 in GrĂźnewald, Berlin
5
Two photos of Berlin from 1910
19
HIS YEAR IN AMERICA
On September 5, 1930, still too young to
Bonhoeffer was quite frustrated with the
be ordained, the 24-year-old Bonhoeffer left
lack of respect for dogmatics and theology,
for the United States for postgraduate study
both because these were the subjects he was
and a teaching fellowship at New York City’s
passionate about and because he recognized
Union Theological Seminary. His time at the
that these studies helped to lay the foundation
“In a letter home, he wrote disparagingly, ‘There is no theology
20
of Christianity itself. However, his time spent in America was far from spent in vain. During this time, he had
seminary and his experience of the American
life-changing experiences and gained valu-
church was a great disappointment and, in a
able friendships. He studied under Reinhold
letter home, he wrote disparagingly, “There is
Niebuhr and met Frank Fisher, a black fellow
no theology here.”
seminarian who introduced him to Abyssinian
Of the students at the seminary he wrote
Baptist Church in Harlem, where Bonhoeffer
that they were “completely clueless with
traveled to worship every Sunday and teach
respect to what dogmatics is really about. They
Sunday school and where he formed a lifelong
are not familiar with even the most basic ques-
love for African-American spirituals, a collec-
tions. They become intoxicated with liberal
tion of which he took back to Germany.
and humanistic phrases, are amused at the fun-
He heard Adam Clayton Powell, Sr., preach
damentalists, and yet basically are not even up
the Gospel of Social Justice and became sen-
to their level.”
sitive to both social injustices experienced by
6
6
6
6
Views – inside and out – of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, where Bonhoeffer attended and taught Sunday school
21
7
minorities and the ineptitude of the church to
the piety, worship, and theology of American
bring about integration. Bonhoeffer began to
Blacks would provide a new reformation.
see things “from below” – from the perspective
Bonhoeffer noted that black churches in
of those oppressed. Later he referred to this
America had a greater depth of faith and theol-
time abroad as the point at which he “turned
ogy than seminary and other churches he had
from phraseology to reality.” (He also learned
visited. He observed, “Here one can truly speak
to drive an automobile, although he failed the
and hear about sin and grace and the love of
driving test three times.)
God… The Black Christ is preached with rap-
“His experiences in the black churches provided the foundation of his understanding of the Jews’ grave plight in later Nazi Germany.” Bonhoeffer was moved deeply by his contacts with American Blacks. He carried records of their spirituals back to Germany and played them for his students. He described traveling through the States with a colored friend: how hotels and restaurants refused admittance to them. He saw, even in the early ‘30s, that
22
turous passion and vision.” His experiences in the black churches provided the foundation of his understanding of the Jews’ grave plight in later Nazi Germany. His grasp of their sufferings gave him a more compassionate eye and brave heart during the events to come in his own country.
8
8
7
Union Theological Seminary in New York where Bonhoeffer studied for a year
8
Two other black churches that Dietrich visited during his time in America
23
Back in Germany, tensions were mounting.
his imprisonment, he wrote Mein Kampf,
The Nazi party had been established in
outlining his political ideology and future
early 1919 through a jumble of anti-Com-
plans for Germany.
munist though and Social Darwinism:
Hitler ran for political office in the
the belief that Germanic people were the
German federal election of 1930 and won
purest Aryan race and therefore the master
over the hearts of the German people by
race. Adolf Hitler assumed control of the
his suave and charismatic personality. He
Nazi Party in the early 1920 and soon
made great promises to the German people
adopted the National Socialist Program
and knew how to play upon the emotions
calling for greater unification in Germany
of his audiences. Despite losing the elec-
and the denial of citizenship to Jews.
tion, the Nazi Party gained a significant
In November of 1923, Hitler led the Beer
presence in German politics as the winning
Hall Putsch, a failed coup and, though
Socialist Democratic Party lost seats in the
he was arrested, he relished the publicity
Reichstag while the Nazi Party increased
as it brought him to the forefront of every
its number of seats from twelve to one
man’s conversation and allowed him to
hundred and seven, setting Hitler up for
sow the seeds of socialist thought upon the
success in the elections to follow.
German people. During the 9 months of
9
24
10
11
9
The Beer Hall Putsch at the Marienplatz in Munich. Hitler & his associates entered the hall where state commissioner, Gustav von Kahr, was speaking. Declaring the foundation of a new government, Hitler was greeted with a roar of approval
10
A group of the 600 men who had surrounded the outside of the hall during the attempted coup
11
Young Adolf Hitler in 1930
25
TEACHER AND PROFESSOR
The family home at Wangenheim Strasse 14
logically and to theologize. Afterward, in a beer
in Berlin provided a place where the young
cellar, as guests of their professor, the students
professor could entertain his students. To one,
discussed such topical questions as the church
who was embarrassed by being asked to stay
struggle in Germany.
for a meal, Dietrich replied, “That is not just
In a conversation with his professor, Wolf-
my bread, it is our bread, and when it is jointly
Dieter Zimmerman once in quired about a
consumed there will still be twelve baskets left
certain book. “You can have it,” Bonhoeffer
over,” referring to the providence of Christ and
offered. When the young student protested
the joy of sharing in rich community.
that he dare not carry off the professor’s book
Later, during Bonhoeffer’s professional life, Wolf-Dieter Zimmerman, who studied under
of property?”
him, provided every possible piece of furni-
These themes and elements which were
ture in his student apartment in Berlin to seat
dear to Bonhoeffer’s heart would become even
the students who gathered weekly for an open
more so as suspicions continued to rise and
discussion with Bonhoeffer, who was their
community in friendships became more and
Humboldt University professor.
more difficult. He would later present these
Zimmerman remembers only one of the subjects discussed, “What is a sacrament and what does it effect?” for the major thrust of the discussion was to teach the students to think
26
Bonhoeffer asked, “What on earth is your idea
ideas of Christian fellowship and community in his book, Life Together.
12
12
13
12
Bonhoeffer with a group of students in his confirmation class in 1932
13
Dunes and beach on the Baltic, near Zingsthof, where Bonhoeffer frequently took seminarians for discussions and recreation
27
28
2.
THE TEMPEST OF LIVING Action Do and dare what is right, not swayed by the whim of the moment. Bravely take hold of the real, not dallying now with what might be. Not in the flight of ideas but only in action is freedom. Make up your mind and come out into the tempest of living. God’s command is enough and your faith in him to sustain you. Then at last freedom ill welcome your spirit amid great rejoicing. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Ethics
29
LOVE & HATE
Although the roots of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s
smudge of a mustache.” It was easy for most
discipleship were anchored deeply in the soil
persons to underestimate this son of a semi-lit-
of German culture, it was the stormy climate of
erate Austrian shoemaker and the freebooters,
his times that encouraged the rapid develop-
political murderers, and middle-class riffraff he
ment of his convictions and provided the arena
organized into the National Socialist German
for his actions. The influence of his parents and
Workers’ Party. Between 1929 and 1933, the
teachers was great, but it was Adolf Hitler who
world was preoccupied with a pervasive eco-
stimulated the theologian to do and to dare
nomic crisis. Unlike most of his countrymen,
what he considered right.
Bonhoeffer saw through the storms of rage
“The influence of his parents and teachers was great, but it was Adolf Hitler who stimulated the theologian to do and to dare what he considered right.”
30
and the promises of a millennial Third Reich expressed in the crude and guttural voice of Hitler. Two
days
after
der Führer became
Reich Chancellor, Dietrich’s radio lecture on “Changes in the Concept of the Leader
Shortly after Dietrich completed his studies
Principle” was cut off the air. Three months
and was ordained in the German Evangelical
later, the twenty-seven-year old minister pub-
Church, the world witnessed the rise of the
lished an essay on “The Church and the Jewish
“hysterical orator with the pasty face, the
problem.” In August of that year he helped draft
wild eyes, the unruly forelock, and the absurd
the “Bethel Confession,” and in September he
14
14
More than 100,000 Socialists and trade unionists demonstrated against Hitler in October 1930. When Hitler came to power the unions were dissolved and their leaders
15
were arrested
15
Hitler’s political campaign at Nuremberg in 1929. He sought to arouse anti-Communist and anti-Semitic fears
31
On January 30, 1933, Hitler was elected chancellor of the chancellor of Germany.
17
Less than a month later, the burning of the Reichstag was the excuse for the emergency decrees, suppressing individual freedoms, which remained in effect during Hitler’s lifetime. For 10 weeks, book burnings took place throughout Germany, conducted by Nazi university youth as an attack on intellectual freedom. In April, the man who described himself in Mein Kampf as “having been transformed from a weak world-citizen into a fanatic anti-Semite” began eliminating non-Aryans from public and professional life.
19
32
18
20
17
The burning of the Reichstag
18
Book burnings in Berlin
19
Hitler organized all German youth in a nationalist, government-directed program. All other youth organizations were made illegal. Torchlight parade of Hitler Youth in Berlin, January 1935
20
By 1935 the SS, Hitler’s elite troops acting for the army, had remilitarized the Rhineland and broken the Versailles Treaty
33
16
joined Martin Niemöller in planning for the
journey, Dietrich received an urgent call to
Pastors’ Emergency League.
return home to open an underground seminary.
His revulsion for Hitler and the ways that the Reich Church had been seduced and intimidated by der Führer led Bonhoeffer to accept a two-year pastorate in London. During that time the German-speaking congregation he served
34
The Preachers’ Seminary he founded
“Dietrich was drawn to the magnetic personality and pacifist spirit of Gandhi.”
broke ties with the Reich Church. Bonhoeffer
soon moved from Zingsthof to Finken walde
developed a deep friendship with Anglican
in Pomerania. Two and a half years after he
Bishop George K. A. Bell of Chichester. He
opened the clandestine school, twenty-seven
helped the ecumenically minded Bell and
of the students were in prison, Dietrich had
other Englishmen understand the weight of
been forbidden to lecture at the University, and
the church struggle in Germany as well as the
the Finkenwalde Bruderhaus had been closed
gathering tempest across the continent.
by the secret police. But by the end of 1937
During these anxious times, the earnest
Dietrich had published his controversial book
pastor began writing The Cost of Discipleship.
on discipleship and had helped to establish
In the meantime, he was drawn to the mag-
“team curacies” to continue training leaders for
netic personality and pacifist spirit of Gandhi.
the Confessing Church.
Bishop Bell arranged for him to visit India to
The mobilization of Germany and the
interview the Mahatma but, just before the
increasing pressures on Jewish citizens led the
17
16
By 1933, official harassment of Jews was sweeping throughout Germany
18
17
On April 1, 1933, the first boycott of Jewish shops, lawyers, and doctors took place all over Germany. Members of the SA and SS stood outside Jewish stores and reminded each would-be shopper of the boycott slogan: “Germans protect yourselves. Do not buy from the Jews.�
18
In 1938 renewed attacks on the Jews warned all citizens to avoid trading with them
35
19
theologian to the conviction that Hitler would
As tensions mounted, Dietrich felt torn
have to be eliminated. Shortly before Austria
between his desire to get away from the hatred
was annexed by the Reich, Dietrich made con-
and ugliness of his native country and his pas-
tact with four men who would begin to develop
sion to help restore reason and moral values.
an elaborate plot against der Führer.
He joined the many German intellectuals who
“The mobilization of Germany and the increasing pressures on Jewish citizens led Bonhoeffer to the conviction that Hitler would have to be eliminated.”
36
sought haven in the United States, only to feel compelled to return to his people. “I do not understand why I am here,” he wrote in his diary. “The short prayer in which we thought of our German brothers almost overwhelmed me. If things become more uncertain, I shall
Throughout Europe war fever spread rap-
certainly go back to Germany… If war comes,
idly. In September Dietrich wrote his treatise
I shall not stay in America.” On the last ship
on devotion, Life Together, and bade farewell to
to sail before the war broke out he reflected,
his twin sister Sabine and her Jewish husband,
“Since I came on board ship, my mental tur-
who emigrated to England. Within a matter of
moil about the future has gone.”
weeks 600 synagogues were destroyed, 7,500
An ironic double life followed. After
Jewish shops were looted, 35,000 Jews were
the team curacies were rooted out by the
arrested and, on January 1, 1939, all Jewish
Gestapo, the forthright pastor was deprived
businesses were liquidated by Goring.
of the right to speak in public. But, oddly, he
20
20 19
Taken on May Day 1936, Hitler had already completely marshaled the German people into a militaristic state glorifying the Third Reich
20
Hitler’s personal magnetism and organizing brilliance had completely reduced the Reich to a monolithic depersonalized, military government. Nuremberg Rally, September 1938
37
38
3.
FREEDOM YIELDED
Suffering See what a transformation! These hands so active and powerful Now are tied, and alone and fainting, you see where your work ends. Yet you are confident still, and gladly commit what is rightful Into a stronger hand, and say that you are contented. You were free from a moment of bliss, then you yielded your freedom Into the hand of God, that he might perfect it in glory. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Ethics
39
ARREST & IMPRISONMENT
Even at the time of his arrest, Dietrich
calm the thirty-seven-year-old minister awaited
Bonhoeffer seemed adequately prepared for all
the inevitable black automobile.
things. There was no pounding at the door in
Dietrich was taken to the military section
the middle of the night, no capture of the pris-
of Tegel prison, in Berlin, where he spent a
oner in a theatrical style. Dietrich seemed in
total of eighteen months. He was an unusual
complete control. Months earlier his brother-
prisoner. In the midst of the Allied air raids he
in-law had learned that the Central Bureau for
ministered to fellow inmates and e ven to the
the Security of the Reich was assembling a dos-
prison officials. The compassion, the overrid-
sier and was planning his arrest. He had seen
ing religious insight, and the carefully coded
other critics of Hitler arrested and he knew what to expect. Then, one morning in April 1943, Dietrich learned that his sister’s husband, Hans von Dohnanyi, had been arrested at his home. So,
40
“He was an unusual prisoner. In the midst of the Allied air raids he ministered to fellow inmates and even to the prison officials.”
without panic, almost casually, Dietrich made
messages in his letters amazed the censors.
himself, his family, and even his room as ready
An extensive correspondence, much of which
as possible. Certain documents, including
is preserved in Letters and Papers from Prison,
parts of his unfinished Ethics, were hidden in
was possible because he won the friendship
the rafters. Other misleading or unimportant
of his warders and because his uncle, General
papers were left on the desk. With outward
Hase, was the commandant of Berlin.
21
22
23 21
The house at Marienburger Allee 43 where Gestapo arrested Bonhoeffer, his two sisters, and their husbands. The home is now a permanent exhibit of Bonhoeffer’s life and work
22
Room at Marienburger Allee 43 where Dietrich Bonhoeffer was arrested on April 5, 1943
23
Window of Bonhoeffer’s cell at Tegel Prison
41
42
4.
THE WAY TO FREEDOM ETERNAL Death Come now, highest of feasts on the way to freedom eternal, Death, strike off the fetters, break down the walls that oppress us, Our bedazzled soul and our ephemeral body, That we may see at last the sight which here was not vouchsafed us. Freedom, we sought you long in discipline, action, suffering. Now as we die we see you and know you at last, face to face. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Ethics
43
44
WORKS OF DIETRICH BONHOEFFER Bonhoeffer’s life and legacy have lived on through his numerous writings, from his doctoral thesis and following papers to his books and his letters written from prison. His works have been used by many pastors and theologians since his time as notable landmarks in the understanding of theology and life application that flows freely from Bonhoeffer’s words into his life.
41
THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
This is by no means an exhaustive list of
Dietrich wrote The Cost of Discipleship pri-
Bonhoeffer’s numerous works, though it out-
marily while he was pastoring in London. In
lines those which have been most widely
this text, Bonhoeffer illuminates the relation-
acknowledged by theologians. Bonhoeffer also
ship between ourselves and the teachings of
wrote a number of papers and essays revolv-
Jesus. He outlines what Christ asks of those
ing around theological thought and Scripture.
who follow Him. Drawing on the Sermon on
Many of those works have been compiled
the Mount, he answers questions about how
and bound in volumes for study. Additionally,
Christians can, in every walk of life, adhere
a great number of Bonhoeffer’s letters from
to the teachings of Jesus. This book is proba-
prison have also been published, most nota-
bly most famous for Bonhoeffer’s outlining of
bly in a book entitled Love Letters from Cell
“cheap grace” versus “costly grace.” The Cost
92: The Correspondence Between Dietrich
of Disciple was published in 1937, not long after
Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer, the let-
many of Dietrich’s former seminary students
ters exchanged between himself and his fian-
were imprisoned by the Gestapo, proving what
cée during his long imprisonment. Through
the cost of discipleship truly can be. Dietrich
his works, the Christian church today has
Bonhoeffer himself lived out his own words,
embraced Bonhoeffer as a pioneer, dedicated
ultimately dying for the faith he held.
follower, and martyr of the Christian faith.
ETHICS
LIFE TOGETHER
Though he was never able to complete it,
Bonhoeffer wrote Life Together while he was
Ethics is considered one of Bonhoeffer’s major
teaching at the underground seminary of
theological contributions. In it, he urges
Finkenwalde. At a time when hatred and suspi-
Christians to be concerned with living to
cion ran deep, Bonhoeffer penned this text on
please God, the basis of Christian ethics. Man
love and living in harmony with fellow broth-
is not, and cannot, be the final arbitrator of
ers through the unity of Christ.
good and evil, a role reserved for God alone,
“Without Christ, there is discord between God
yet Bonhoeffer affirms that knowledge of God’s
and man and between man and man… Christ
will is possible. He also enters into one of the
opened up the way to God and to our brother.”
most difficult philosophical and theological
In the work, he details the necessity of the
problems in history: the problem of evil. He
church functioning as a living and vibrant
asserts that evil can only be understood in
organism, what he calls a “community of love.”
light of the Fall of man, which caused disunion
He concludes that we are to live as the body
from God and man’s inability to discern right
of the Church, exercising our individual gifts
and wrong. As unsettling as Bonhoeffer’s Ethics
to assist the body of believers and then work-
may be, it is a refreshing call to the contempo-
ing through that body to reach out to those
rary church to repent and return to a life char-
who still have not made a commitment to the
acterized by prayer.
Christian cause.
He writes,
LETTERS & PAPERS FROM PRISON
PSALMS
Letters and Papers from Prison was pub-
Bonhoeffer not only read the Psalms, but was
lished in 1951, long after Bonhoeffer’s death.
spiritually formed by them as his simple, yet
Despite his imprisonment, Bon hoeffer man-
rigorous, discipline of daily reading the Psalms
aged to maintain lively correspondence with
fed his spiritual formation and the develop-
many people, especially with his best friend,
ment of his courageous life. In Psalms: the
Eberhard Bethge. Bethge had carefully pre-
Prayer Book of the Bible, Bonhoeffer guides
served most of the correspondence he received.
Christians to Scripture for lessons in how to
Only gradually did he reach the conclusion
pray. He affirms that the Lord’s Prayer is the
that these scattered scraps should be pub-
primary prayer of the Christian, which contains
lished. Though it sounds strange to American
every prayer that a Christian ought to pray. He
ears now, in postwar Germany there were many
also makes a startling claim to jolt Christians
who considered Bonhoeffer a traitor because
from their narrow focus in prayer: “The rich-
of his participation in the conspiracy against
ness of the Word of God ought to determine
Hitler. Bethge was also concerned about the
our prayer, not the poverty of our heart.” Thus
esoteric nature of the book. He published the
we find the book of Psalms to be a rich treasury
first edition in 1951 and, not only did it over-
of prayers that are part of God’s inspired word,
come these obstacles, but it also now stands as
and therefore a true place to learn how God
a landmark of theology.
would have us pray.
CHRIST THE CENTER
GOD IS IN THE MANGER
Christ the Center cogently presents the basis
God Is in the Manger is a daily devotional for
of Bonhoeffer’s thinking about Jesus Christ
the time of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
and offers the key to his entire theology. A
as it guides and inspires readers, thematically
classic work of Christological thought, both
moving from waiting and mystery to redemp-
edifying and uplifting, this guide to faith and
tion, incarnation, and joy. In each section,
action in uncertain times outlines a new angle
Bonhoeffer highlights how Christ’s strength is
from which to view Christ, while keeping Him
seen best during times of trial and weakness
at the center of all consideration and study.
and that God is often heard most clearly by
Bonhoeffer affirms that the key to understand-
those in distress. Many of these writings were
ing Christ is not to ask “how” He is what he
written during Bonhoeffer’s imprisonment.
is, but “who” He is. Christ can be found in the
He emphasizes the discipline of waiting, a
Word, the sacraments and members of the
common theme of Advent. Through his per-
church, and also as the mediator of all earthly
sonal experiences of helplessness, Bonhoeffer
existence and history. Christ is always the
explains his time of struggle and waiting to
center, and the only center. Bonhoeffer’s own
the Christian who waits for the redemption of
theology radiated from Christ at the center and
Christ. He looks forward expectantly to Christ’s
stepped out of strict philosophical consider-
second coming as he looks back upon the
ation into the way he lived his life.
revealing of Christ at Christmas.
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THE END
I believe that God can and will bring good out of evil, even out of the greatest evil. For that purpose he needs men who make the best use of everything. I believe that God will give us all the strength we need to help us to resist in all time of distress. But he never gives it in advance, lest we should rely on ourselves and not on him alone. A faith such this should allay all our fears for the future. I believe that even our mistakes and shortcomings are turned to good account, and that it is no harder for God to deal with them than with our supposedly good deeds. I believes that God is no timeless fate, but that he waits for an answers sincere prayers and responsible actions. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Letters and Papers from Prison
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