Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy [Paperback]

 

 

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BONHOEFFER: PASTOR, MARTYR, PROPHET, SPY
By Eric Metaxas

So many books have been written on Bonhoeffer, including the definitive biography by his best friend Eberhard Bethge. So why another one? Eric Metaxas has done a masterful job offering us a biography that is accessible to a new generation of North Americans who may not have any sense of the European context at the beginning to mid-20th century within Germany and beyond. In particular, Metaxas highlights the large opposition to Hitler and the Nazis within Germany, as well as the failure of the Allies to recognize and support such opposition, leading to repeated failures to bring down Hitler and the Nazis from within. Metaxas also does a great job chronicling the development of thinking that lead a group of Germans traditionally supportive and respectful of the rights of a legitimate ruler elected by the people, to the radical conviction that such a ruler and his party must be brought down by any means possible, including murder.

Bonhoeffer is a key player in this drama, and Metaxas offers us accessible ways to comprehend Bonhoeffer's personal and theological journey, his efforts within the church as both pastor and theologian, his witness in the ecumenical movement, and finally his involvement with the "Abwehr" (German Secret Service) in plans to assassinate Hitler and find support among the Allies for such a task.

While this is the dominant story line, Metaxas also beautifully chronicles Bonhoeffer's various relationships, especially with his parents and siblings, his best friend Bethge, and his growing love for Maria.
Metaxas also does a brilliant job describing various conceptual themes and how they develop, such as the Aryan/Pagan theology and the antagonism of the Nazis to Christianity, in particular it's Jewish elements and its presentation of a crucified Saviour as the revelation of God; the theological developments that lead to the split within the German church leading to the establishment of the Confessing Church, divisions within the Confessing Church and Bonhoeffer's impatience with their hesitation to be as radical as he believed they should be; his partnership with ecumenical leaders and the development of key relationships with people like Bishop George Bell; the development of his theological thinking around themes of discipleship, The Lordship of Christ, God's commitment to the earth and to the particularity of embodied life, his relationship with Karl Barth and others.

With all this going for the book, however, there are a few weaknesses. It would have been good to get a little more about Bonhoeffer's American experience and his response to theological voices like Reinhold Niebuhr. Moreover, in his discussion of the development of Aryan ideology and Reich church theology, Metaxas reflects on the ambiguity of Luther's position on the Jews, but offers no such reflection on the distorted appropriation of Nietzsche by the Nazis. In addition, while German opposition to Hitler is connected to the persecution of Jews and the disabled, precious little is mentioned about homosexuals and nothing on the Gypsies. Finally, a little more could have been said to try to understand how it is that so many Germans were drawn to Hitler when he was so obviously deranged.

In spite of these concerns, however, this is among the best books on Bonhoeffer one can ever read.
(Book has been provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller)

The historical biography genre is alive and well in the hands of Eric Metaxas...his book about famous pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is so fluid and alive that it transports the reader to another world. That the subject matter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is eminantly important is beyond a doubt and Metaxas weaves an incredibly readable and highly relevant biography that captures details that have been missed or downplayed in other sources.

It is something when you can say that a biography is so compelling you find it hard to put down but this is just such a biography.Metaxas writes with a clear awareness of the relevance of Bonhoeffer to our own culture and emphasizes certain aspects of his life and theology such as the question of "what is the church?" Truly a biography for our time.

The author's biographical skills are not the only thing showcased in the text, his attention to historical detail is also constantly at the fore.

For those who know and appreciate Bonhoeffer you will be very happy with Metaxas' treatment of him. If you are unaware of him or simply not a fan of biographies I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to check out this book. You will be introduced to a person who will challenge and sharpen you and you will be given a wonderful and unique perspective about a critical period in world history - early 20th century Europe.

I promise you that this book will not disappoint...it will be a measure of what a biography should be for years to come.

This was a wonderful story of a man who was principled and had complete trust in God to the very end. Inspirational. Very well researched and written.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Good Service
I was pleased with the service and the item arrived in good condition just as described.
I have no complaints.

Published 1 month ago by Darlene F. Dunbar

4.0 out of 5 stars A competent and comprehensive biography
If you don't know about Bonhoeffer you should read this book and get to know him. Metaxas is not a brilliant writer, in my opinion, but he gets the job done well, covering all the... Read more

Published 13 months ago by Rodge

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
I've read a lot of history books in my day, having minored in the subject, but I was not aware of the amazing life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer till reading this book. Read more

Published 15 months ago by Christina Banks

5.0 out of 5 stars A Life Yielded to Him
"An others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment." - Hebrews 11:36(KJV)

This is the first biographical account of... Read more

Published 15 months ago by Ian Gordon Malcomson

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting Account
BONHOEFFER: PASTOR, MARTYR, PROPHET, SPY
By Eric Metaxas

So many books have been written on Bonhoeffer, including the definitive biography by his best friend... Read more

Published 16 months ago by Harris

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read For Champions of Social Justice
Christians and other moralists are sometimes quick to preach comfortable ethics that can be followed with a sense of certainty and righteousness during peace-time. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Kevin Rogers

4.0 out of 5 stars Lengthy But Inspirational Read
Since I was a student of theology some 25 plus years ago I have been familiar with the name Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Read more

Published 16 months ago by D J Futers

4.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Jesus and his gospel.
Attending high school in the 40's and working on the gas tanks for the Lancaster Bomber during the summer of 44 I looked on my efforts as patriotic. Read more

Published 16 months ago by George

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging journey
I have read a bit of Bonhoeffer's story in the past but Metaxas in this recent writing does a fine job of introducing this complex person in such a way that I the reader felt... Read more

Published 16 months ago by Richie Speidel

5.0 out of 5 stars Devoured It!
Eric Metaxas has written an exceptional biography about Bonheoffer in both breadth and depth. It provides incredible insight into Bonheoffer's spiritual life and thus his thinking... Read more

Published 17 months ago by M. Abarbanel

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