In Memory: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Today is Monday, 4 February 2008.
On this day was born Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Lutheran theologian and member of the Resistance. He was murdered by the SS in a concentration camp on 9 April 1945.
Bonhoeffer was a key leader in the Confessing Church, the anti-Nazi Protestant movement. Tellingly, he was in New York City in 1939, where he could have remained at Union Seminary. He chose to return to Germany: “If I do not share the dangers and suffering of my country, I shall have no right to share in the reconstruction after the war”.
Bonhoeffer was perhaps the first German Protestant leader to make a radio broadcast denouncing fascism, after Hitler took power in 1933, and eventually was banned from all public speaking. Through family and church connections, he became early on part of a circle of civilian and military, who sought the overthrow of Nazism, finally becoming part of the group which attempted to assassinate Hitler, etc. on 20 July 1944.
While I have many problems with his (or any) theology, all honour to one who was willing to sacrifice his life in the attempt to create living peace and justice.
__________________________________________
Note: the Wikipedia article is good, for further information.
On this day was born Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Lutheran theologian and member of the Resistance. He was murdered by the SS in a concentration camp on 9 April 1945.
Bonhoeffer was a key leader in the Confessing Church, the anti-Nazi Protestant movement. Tellingly, he was in New York City in 1939, where he could have remained at Union Seminary. He chose to return to Germany: “If I do not share the dangers and suffering of my country, I shall have no right to share in the reconstruction after the war”.
Bonhoeffer was perhaps the first German Protestant leader to make a radio broadcast denouncing fascism, after Hitler took power in 1933, and eventually was banned from all public speaking. Through family and church connections, he became early on part of a circle of civilian and military, who sought the overthrow of Nazism, finally becoming part of the group which attempted to assassinate Hitler, etc. on 20 July 1944.
While I have many problems with his (or any) theology, all honour to one who was willing to sacrifice his life in the attempt to create living peace and justice.
__________________________________________
Note: the Wikipedia article is good, for further information.
posted by HH at 12:54 PM
2 Comments:
Let our hawkish brethren and sisters contemplate the profile in unpopular courage that Dietrich Bonhoeffer unselfishly demonstrated as they make reference to those who choose to make peace.
A foolish dignity is a symptom of terminal hubris.
Amen and amen!
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