Genre: Non-Fiction, Biographical
Book Summary: Acclaimed Christian biographer Eric Metaxas writes the first biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer published in several decades. In it, he not only seeks to tell the story of the extraordinary man who lived an exemplary Christian life during Nazi Germany and became part of the plot to assassinate Hitler, but by using extensive amounts of Bonhoeffer's own writings, proves the Bonhoeffer was very much an evangelical, fundamentalist Christian, putting to rest the recent argument that he was a humanist and not a Biblical Christian.
Indulgent Book Talk: This book was long but excellent. It was dense but worth it. It was highly readable and described in detail Bonhoeffer's life, his theology, and his relationships with those around him. I started the book in the midst of the presidential election, and now that we have elected someone who I believe is perpetuating a modern-day holocaust of the unborn, it was interesting to see how one man behaved and acted in a regime that was even more flagrantly evil. While I in no way believe that Bonhoeffer's actions or decisions apply directly to our current situation (they don't; Nazi Germany was a unique evil) it was both encouraging and informative, and I am still thinking about it and how I can apply Biblical truth to living in a fallen, evil world.
Glorifying Elements: Bonhoeffer believed that one must not just believe Christian doctrine, but that Christian doctrine must influence and inform a Christian's actions, even unto suffering and death. Of the many Biblical truths that were lived out in Bonhoeffer's life, this was the most pervasive and influential. He believed in action and doing, not just sitting and thinking (though he did a lot of that too). He sought to live out the tension between faith alone saving us and works justifying our faith to world. He was not perfect, but he took this seriously and that showed in his life.
Worldly Elements: As with any Christian biography, we must know that the author is a sinner writing about a fellow sinner. Bonhoeffer was no Jesus, and he was imperfect and made mistakes. Arguably, his decision to help with the plot in assassinating Hitler might have been one of them. There are God-fearing believers on both sides of that debate, and honestly, I'm still not sure where I stand. But what can't be mistaken is that Bonhoeffer thought and prayed through every decision he made, and like everyone, regretted some of the actions he took in his life.
General Recommendation: Do yourself a major favor and invest in the hours it will take to read this book. It definitely has the potential to shift your paradigms and change your life.
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