Bonhoeffer

http://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Pastor-Martyr-Prophet-Spy/dp/1595551387/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293819438&sr=8-1#_

I recently finished the definitive, new biography of Bonhoeffer's life. When I got the book, I was a bit leary due to the length (about 550 pages), but within the first 30 pages I was hooked. The author does a great job intertwining the social and political climate of the time with Bonhoeffer's life. Therefore, it's not just a book about Bonhoeffer, nor is it simply a history of Hitler and WWII.

If you are only vaguely familiar with Bonhoeffer's life, like I was, then you probably won't understand how much this book will inpsire you. What strikes me about his life is not simply that he died the heroic death of a martyr, although I think any Christian can be challenged by Bonhoeffer's death. Yet, for me, I was fascinated with how this pastor and theologian wrestled with the very meaning of the Gospel. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, to turn the other cheeck, and to give to people whateve they ask from us (Sermon on the Mt., beginning in Matthew 5). Those who try to rationalize these teachings away is like the foolish man who builds his house upon the sand (the final teaching in the Sermon on the Mount). The point is, we cannot simply say, "Jesus didn't really mean it," or try to find some historical/culture feature that would negate this commandment for modern Christians. Sometimes, the Bible just means what it means.

On the other hand, doesn't the very nature of the Gospel demand that Christians would stand in the way of a madman who is executing literally MILLIONS... let me say that again, MILLIONS of legally innocent people? Bonhoeffer wrestled for years trying to decide of it was Biblical (not merely logical, reasonable, or popular) to involve himself in a plan to kill another human being. As a pastor and theologian, someone with an intimate relationship with God and passionate reverance for Scripture, could he lie, manipulate, and plan to take a way life? These are the questions Bonhoeffer debates in his journal, books, and letters to friends, and they give a great deal of substance to an already intriguing tale.

Anyway, I would highly recommend this book. For those of you who don't have the time or desire to read a 550 page book, there are at least two documentaries on Netflix. One contains footage from the time period and comes highly recommended by Matt Hartman, though I haven't had time to watch either yet. Enjoy!

-Matt