Eric spoke on the faith of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. As the author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, Metaxas is well-qualified to speak on the topic.
We did come away from the Metaxas speech with some questions that our friend Pastor Rod Zwonitzer was able to address in his review of Eric's book...
Having for long now been familiar with the theology of Bonhoeffer and tidbits of his life, was brought to this work by Metaxas upon hearing of his writing it. Was real fan of his work on William Wilberforce. This one didn't disappoint either.
Much was compressed into his twenty something years of life, much which can inspire and motivate us in our day. Bonhoeffer was certainly a man of his Christian convictions. He became more and more convinced to serve his fellow man by being patriot, pastor, prophet, spy and eventually martyr for it.
Metaxas provides chronologically this most interesting life which touched the lives of not only his beloved Germany but the other places he lived including NY and London.
His passion certainly was for theological education which consisted much upon daily meditation upon God's Word. When one thinks of reading and inwardly digesting Scripture Bonhoeffer touched many by not only his passionate encouragement of this practice but more importantly modeled it to his dying day.
He was wary of the new found Savior in the Fuhrer and its changed concept and subsequently spoke out warnings against what eventually overtook the country by storm. He then became confronted with increasing ethical dilemmas which caused him to deeply consider what his faith was all about. This eventually led him to the only choice he could make, to shoulder much in trying to rid his fatherland of this evil wolf.
There is so much that I never knew about this man's story that this bio unfolded for me. I understand that this is the first focus on his engagement.
The only caution I would offer is that Metaxas finds Luther's interaction with government authority to be the underlying foundation upon which the National Socialists built (the so-called Shirer myth) is challenged by some good investigators. Too bad that this work does not mention them or contend with their views, cf. JW Montgomery's "In Defense of Martin Luther" and Uwe Siemon-Netto's "The Fabricated Luther."
For the defective Lutheran theology, one may see a contemporary in Herman Sasse who disagreed with significant parts of Bonhoeffer's theology as I. These may be found in "The Lonely Way: Selected Essays and Letters. Volume 1)especially see the essay "Church and Lord's Supper."
This was very good read and will spur me on as many others to acquaint oneself more with this fascinating individual who fought the Nazi terror machine with all God gave him.
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