Commemoration Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Commemoration

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Theologian, d. 1945

Reflection

One of the most brilliant theologians of the 20^th century, Dietrich Bonhoeffer put his life on the line by returning from the United States, where he was teaching, to Nazi Germany, where he was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually hanged. His life exemplified the full measure of his famous book, The Cost of Discipleship, in which he distinguished between cheap grace (unlimited and unconditional forgiveness masking moral laxity) and costly grace.

Bonhoeffer’s doctoral thesis, The Communion of Saints, was published when he was only 24 years old. He was a leading spokesperson for the Confessing Church, Protestant churches that resisted the Nazi ideology. In the mid 1930s, he organized an underground seminary, and his well-known book Life Together came out of the experiences of the seminary community. In 1942 he flew to Sweden to try to negotiate peace with the Allies, who insisted on unconditional surrender. He was arrested April 5, 1943, after just having announced his engagement. His Letters and Papers from Prison continue to be an endearing testimony to his steadfast faith. He was hanged just 23 days before the German surrender. He said, “This is the end. For me, the beginning of life.”

Prayer

Thank you, gracious God, for the witness of your servant, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Inspire us through the same Spirit of servanthood and commitment. In Jesus’ name. Amen.