Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

Bonhoeffer

All I can say is wow.

I have been noticing this book for several weeks but I felt it too intimidating to actually read. Then my dear friend and bookstore colleague, Pat, told me she was reading it and not wanting to be outdone, I decided that I would as well! The book is: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. I was somewhat familiar with Dietrich Bonhoeffer and by that, I mean; I knew he was a Christian pastor and important theologian who somehow died in a concentration camp in Germany during WWII.

I’m only five chapters in but I am completely hooked. There is so much more to this man than I could have ever imagined. Right now, I am immersed in his childhood and enjoying the stories of the Bonhoeffers’ home life which was in every sense idyllic. Dietrich’s parents were both extremely bright and well connected. On the maternal line, there had been influential artists, musicians, professors and members of the German royal court. On the paternal line, there were lawyers, doctors, professors and pastors. Dietrich’s father was a very prominent and well respected psychiatrist and his mother was also extremely bright and talented. The parents seemed to be in close agreement as to the raising of their children but it was Paula, who would teach them in the early years of their educations. She was very religious and felt it vital that her children be well schooled in all aspects of the Bible. The elder Bonhoeffer was not religious, thinking himself too intellectual but wanting his children to exhibit the morals and values that he felt could be learned from religion. Their life was filled with great love and respect for each other. Dietrich was one of eight children; all of whom showed intellectual prowess and varying degrees of artistic and musical talents. Saturday evenings were set aside for concerts which included each of the children performing music and presenting theatrical plays. Vacations were spent at their grand cabin in the mountains or along the seashore. Their home was filled with artistic masterpieces befitting their position. The love and wonder of these early years show no fore-shadowing of all the heartache that is to come.

I have long been interested in WWII and have thought for hours of how in the world did all that happened happen? How did Hitler gain such immense and pervasive control over an entire country? How did a few brainwash millions? How could seemingly ordinary people be convinced to carry out and condone atrocities which are unspeakable?

So far in my reading, I have learned a lot. I am piecing together a picture of pre-war Germany and of the German people that is putting better perspective on my questions. I am struck by the Germany which WAS and was later LOST. Before Hitler, before Germany declared war against Russia in 1914, Germany was a land of cultured and brilliant people; the country of Martin Luther; a religious and ordered place where music, opera and civility abounded and always was steeped in a strong sense of nationalism for their beloved country. But how does this Germany become that Germany?

I know that one day Dietrich Bonhoeffer will proclaim that he, “believed it the plain duty of the Christian—and the privilege and honor—to suffer with those who suffered.’ He will preach that ‘not to act’ is in fact ‘to act’ and that it is a Christians’ duty to make a stand for what he believes. I know that Bonhoeffer will make staggering choices that will cost him his life. All the cataclysmic pieces which need to fall are falling into place as I read page after page.

I’m going to blog about this book in installments. It’s too good and too important to tackle as a whole.

So now you’re caught up with me. It’s 1916-1920 and Dietrich’s three older brothers have enlisted in WWI. Older brother, Walter, has just been wounded and will die just two weeks after arriving at the frontlines. This will devastate the entire family forever as their idyllic life ends and they struggle with moving on while grieving their own loss and the gradual disappearance of their beloved Germany.

To be continued…