A Faith Transformed
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born on February 4, 1906, in Breslau, Germany, into a family where faith was present but not central. Despite this, his path was set early; at just 14, he declared his intention to pursue theology. His studies at the Universities of Tübingen and Berlin were marked by an intellectual engagement with theology, but a year in New York in 1930-31 profoundly shifted his perspective. At the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, he witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of racial injustice, sparking a deeper personal faith. Bonhoeffer's transformation was not just academic; it was a conversion to a lived faith.
Standing Against Hitler
As Hitler rose to power in 1933, Bonhoeffer became an outspoken critic. His radio address just days after Hitler became Chancellor was abruptly cut off as he warned against the dangerous cult of the Führer. Bonhoeffer was not deterred; he co-founded the Confessing Church to oppose Nazi interference in German Protestantism. He led an illegal seminary at Finkenwalde, where his teachings emphasized the cost of true discipleship. Bonhoeffer's writings from this time, particularly *The Cost of Discipleship*, underline the demand for a faith that is committed to following Jesus, even unto suffering.
Returning to Endure
In 1939, despite opportunities to remain in the United States, Bonhoeffer returned to Germany. He believed that he must endure the same trials as his compatriots. His faith led him into the heart of the resistance against Hitler, joining efforts to overthrow the regime. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1943, Bonhoeffer continued to write from prison, reflecting on faith and the role of Christians in a secular world.
Come and Die
On April 9, 1945, just weeks before the war ended, Bonhoeffer was executed at Flossenbürg concentration camp. His life was a testament to the cost and beauty of following Jesus, even in the darkest of times. He once said, 'When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.' Through his actions and writings, Dietrich Bonhoeffer demonstrated unwavering faith in Jesus, choosing to act against evil, driven by a profound commitment to justice and truth.
