While most theologians from the 20th century are quietly fading off the radar, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one whose work is gaining greater and greater appreciation. Not only was he a great thinker and theologian, he lived out his beliefs, even as he agonised over them, and struggled to find an appropriate path forward in the nightmare of the Nazi regime in Germany. Most would know that he participated in the unsuccessful plot to assassinate Hitler, which saw him being hung to death just two weeks before the end of World War 2.
We will look at three quotes from Bonhoeffer both this Monday and next.
We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer – Bonhoeffer
Do not try to make the Bible relevant. Its relevance is axiomatic. Do not defend God’s word, but testify to it. Trust to the Word. It is a ship loaded to the very limits of its capacity – Bonhoeffer
Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will – Bonhoeffer
Well, that’s heaps to ponder over today. Nice chatting…
