Who Was Dietrich Bonhoeffer?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident who is widely recognized for his role in resisting the Nazi regime during Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. He was born on February 4, 1906, in Germany, and became a key figure in the Protestant church’s opposition to the Nazis. His legacy is deeply tied to his faith, his courage in standing up to injustice, and his writings on Christian ethics.

Fight Against Hitler and the Nazis

Bonhoeffer’s opposition to Hitler and the Nazi regime was not only theological but also deeply practical. He was a member of the Confessing Church, a movement within the Protestant church in Germany that sought to resist the Nazification of Christianity. Bonhoeffer opposed the regime’s manipulation of religion to support its ideologies, particularly the way the Nazis used the church for propaganda and control.

As the Nazis became more aggressive, Bonhoeffer took even greater personal risks. He was involved in underground resistance activities, including providing assistance to Jews trying to escape from Nazi persecution. He also became involved with a group of conspirators who plotted to assassinate Hitler. In 1943, Bonhoeffer was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned for his involvement in the resistance. He was executed on April 9, 1945, just weeks before Germany’s surrender.

Legacy

Bonhoeffer’s legacy extends beyond his role in resisting the Nazis. He is also known for his theological writings, particularly on discipleship, costly grace, and Christian ethics. His book The Cost of Discipleship is one of his most influential works, where he explores the idea that following Christ requires sacrifice and that grace should not be taken for granted.

He is also known for his views on “religionless Christianity”, which he articulated in his later works, where he argued that Christianity should not be just about rituals and traditions but should be a lived, radical faith that engages with the world.

Famous Quotes

1. “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
   – From The Cost of Discipleship, this quote reflects Bonhoeffer’s belief in the radical nature of Christian discipleship, which involves a willingness to give up one’s life for Christ’s sake.

2. “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
   – This quote reflects Bonhoeffer’s strong ethical stance on the importance of acting against injustice and standing up for the oppressed.

3. “The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”
   – Bonhoeffer believed that society’s morality could be measured by the legacy it left for future generations, especially regarding justice and peace.

4. “We are not simply to bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.”
   – This quote reveals Bonhoeffer’s call for direct action in confronting systemic evil, rather than merely offering comfort to those harmed by it.

Known For

• Resistance to Nazism: His active resistance to the Nazis, including his participation in a plot to assassinate Hitler, was a significant part of his legacy. He became a symbol of courage and moral clarity in the face of a regime that was committing unimaginable atrocities.

• Theological Writings: His books, such as The Cost of Discipleship and Letters and Papers from Prison, continue to inspire Christians and others who are committed to the principles of justice, truth, and personal sacrifice.

• Martyrdom: Bonhoeffer is regarded as a martyr who died for his beliefs. His death, shortly before the end of the war, cemented his status as a symbol of faith and resistance.

Bonhoeffer remains a powerful example of someone who lived out their faith with extraordinary courage and conviction, even at the cost of their life.