Last week I started reading 'Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy' by Eric Metaxas, while still also trying to finish up Thomas Merton's 'Seven Storey Mountain'. I hope to say more about both books. It's interesting to read them both close together and compare and contrast them. For instance, both men visited Harlem in the 30's (Bonhoeffer in 1930 and Merton later in 1939) and were very impacted by the conditions there, as well as by the presence of the church there. More later....
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Here's a short article related to Bonhoeffer in Harlem: http://www.bonhoeffer.com/art4.pdf
Have you read Bonhoeffer's books ... or are you more interested in the man's life than his theology? His books in English are rather brief ... and quite popular, even today.
Nope, I haven't read his books yet; though after learning more about him from my husband as he read this book, and as I read it myself, I plan to read some of his books. I didn't know very much about him before, but Metaxes' book of course includes quite a bit about Bonhoeffer's theology, and I'd like to read more.
And I don't think one can separate Bonhoeffer from his theology; it apparently was one and the same with his faith and his being. It made him the man he was. For him theology wasn't an abstract study, but had to begin with the belief that God IS, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
I don't think one can separate Bonhoeffer from his theology
I would hope the biographer would not separate them since Bonhoeffer integrated them so well.
Well, I think Metaxas is doing a good job; but maybe you disagree with his analysis of Bonhoeffer's theology?
The book isn't getting favorable reviews: see here.
Hi Teresa,
thanks for sharing that link. Here's another one that Challies links to in another post: http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2011/01/bonhoeffer-and-anonymous-evang.php
Not knowing much about Bonhoeffer, but having heard all my adult life either that he was a martyr or a heretic, I was afraid when reading this book that it would not be a completely accurate picture. But it still gives much information about him that can be used to form an picture, if added to reading B's writings and some other sources. I'm just getting started in this, since it's my first book about him. I'd like to continue reading to get a better idea.
I think Challies and Trueman make good points, that we don't have to make Bonhoeffer into an evangelical in order to be able to admire him and learn from him. I don't expect him to be an evangelical, but I can see that he lived an admirable life and died an admirable death. I also see that he isn't quite 'orthodox', but I can understand that he is coming from an upbringing in which he was taught to question everything and look at things in a way most people never do. In essence, I think he came closer to the truth by questioning it and examining it, and then being called to a personal knowledge of 'the Truth' by God Himself. He wasn't afraid to question and look deeply into things, and he often looked unorthodox because of this. This is my impression.
I don't know if my impression of B's questioning nature is correct, but I feel that it may be true. My father has always been a questioner; one who thinks very analytically and doesn't automatically accept the mainstream views on things. I have got a little of that from him, and though I've been rather sheltered I am trying to be objective and learn what I can from and about the man.
I'd never heard that Bonhoeffer was a heretic. :-)
Of course, I knew when I first started reading him that, like C. S. Lewis, Bonhoeffer isn't a Catholic so I can't come at him expecting that.
we don't have to make Bonhoeffer into an evangelical
Short of that, the inclination may be to discount altogether any writer with an occasional stray thought. But, then, who's left? Just ourselves and the Bible? Or maybe only the Bible.
IOW, I'm a big fan of broken clocks. :-)
I'm a big fan of broken clocks.
You mean evangelicals are only right by accident, 'twice a day'?
I mean, anybody. Humans.
I mean, anybody. Humans.
Eddie and I were talking about the controversy over the Bonhoeffer book yesterday, and concluded that, like the Church Fathers, Christians (individuals and groups) are always wrong about some things. The challenge is to love each other and learn from each other and not despise one another pridefully.
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