THE LIFE OF DIETRICH BONHOEFFER
This week I want to look at the life of one of the most influential, conservative theologians of the 20th century.
To say this man was brilliant would be an understatement. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Berlin in 1927 with a doctorate in theology, a stunning feat, especially at the age of 21.
He took up the cause of conservative theology and battled for the church to embrace a relative faith that impacted the world. The goal was to change the world for Christ.
He traveled to New York for further studies and then took a church in London due to unrest in Germany. He began writing and published a variety of works on theology and church. He decided that his calling was to assist ministers in Germany. He began to teach at Finkenwalde Seminary which was later closed by the Nazi’s. He then secretly traveled from village to village training ministers.
The man would eventually return to the United States as a guest scholar at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Again, he began feeling the need to return to help his fellow countrymen under Nazi rule. He returned to discover his brother was assisting a group trying to overthrow Hitler.
He would soon be arrested for his association and assistance with those involved in Operation Valkerie. While in prison he continued to write and to teach. He would be executed a mere three weeks before Berlin was liberated.
His writings are considered classics and many are required reading in conservative theology.
His name is Dietrich Bonhoeffer
When Christ calls someone; He bids them to come and die. -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(From a sermon by David DeWitt, Dare to Sacrifice, 6/22/2010)