Monday 25 April 2011

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

This is the best biography I have read in a long time. Actually I listened to it on audiobook, which was an interesting experience, not something I normally do.

If you are interested in Second World War history, the story of the way the German Christians responded to the Nazi regime is fascinating. Bonhoeffer himself was a remarkable character, a superb theologian with an activism that would eventually lead to his own execution by the Nazis, only two weeks before Hitler commited suicide. He was one of the founders of the German 'confessing' church, which broke away from the established church when they compromised with the Nazis.

One of the great things about the book is the way Metaxas uses lots of Bonhoeffer's best quotes and weaves them into the story. It seems that he was almost a pacifist, but could see no other option than to become part of the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler. I think this is great reading for those considering the ethics of war and the Christian response to war and unjust regimes.

On a couple of occasions the story drags a little, but in general it is an enthralling read. I was left shocked that such evil could have happened in living memory, and that many in the German church did little to oppose it, and also was inspired by Bonhoeffer's faith in God, and his utter commitment to his beliefs, even to the point of his own death in his late 30s.

Highly recommended!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BONHOEFFER-METAXAS-ERIC/dp/1595553185/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1303755516&sr=8-2

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