“German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged by piano wire on this date in 1945, while imprisoned at Flossenbürg concentration camp.”
A friend of mine posted the above statement. It had slipped my mind that Bonhoeffer was martyred in April right before WWII ended. Therefore, in remembrance of Bonhoeffer, I want to share a few thoughts in why we should remember more than his death, but more so his life.
#1 Bonhoeffer’s Example
Though many have been influenced by his writings (more precisely, his writing of The Cost of Discipleship), what influenced me most was the story of his life. Eric Metaxas’s biography on Bonhoeffer is astounding and a gem of understanding the complexities of Nazi Germany and the confessing church. The unabbreviated version lasts near 24 hours on audio book, but my life for learning from Bonhoeffer.
I’m not talking about his involvement in the plot to kill Hitler. I mean Pastor Bonhoeffer. His ministry. His humility. His standing against church culture as the German church fell under Hitler’s spell, his stand against Christian culture in not simply absorbing and filtering more German Christian liberalism, and his stand against the American culture and its liberalism growing in the 20’s and 30’s. My life is richer from having studied his.
#2 Discipleship
The Cost of Discipleship is simply titled Discipleship in the German version. I think the German title is better. Bonhoeffer wasn’t just trying to get the church to count costs, he was trying to define discipleship which is actually in itself costly. The English version focuses on “Cost,” but I believe Bonhoeffer’s true focus is simply on “discipleship.”
Having read the material and taught it, I can’t say I agree with everything, but even when I disagree, I am challenged and enriched through the struggle of ideas. His often quoted notion of “cheap grace” vs. “costly grace” is worth the book alone.
#3 Apologetics
Bonhoeffer was actually against the notion of apologetics. This might strike some of you odd why I would put Bonhoeffer towards the top of my list if he would wrinkle his nose at the concept of “faith defense.” But I think we can learn from him in his emphasis of the experience and living in Christ. Bonhoeffer was right about a good many things (and wrong about others, exceedingly so), but he was right as seems by “happy accident.” He happened to land correctly on those ideas, but he could have easily landed elsewhere.
But what he lacked in apologetics, he made up with a life that clearly demonstrated that he lived what he believed. Even in the face of death (several times), all accounts of him point to a man who lived what he believed to his last moment. He lived with consistency and fervency, something many apologists including myself often lack.
Not Forgetting
“Remembering” is not the same as “not forgetting.” Remembering is required when we forget or stop thinking about something. It is calling it back to mind. Not forgetting is more of living out the ideas regularly. I don’t ever forget I’m married as it is so tied up with my regular life. I must remember my anniversary, but I never forget I’m married.
Let us not forget what we learn from the greats that go before us. Let us not forget what Bonhoeffer gave the world and how his life and letters changed the shape of Christianity. We defend the faith better when we don’t forget what it means to be a true disciple and the costly nature of grace.
Thomas is the creator and editor of faithdefense.com. He is a pastor, professor, and philosopher. Recent years have divorced apologetics and ministry. His passion is to reunite the two and to give reasons for the hope within him so others can place their hope and faith in Jesus Christ.