Figure 1.-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer here is with boys who have just been confirmed in the Refiormned Church (Spring 1932). After Konfirmation the boys of the Zion's Church congregation have a weekend getaway. Source: Budensarchiv. Bild 183-R0211-316. |
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Germany was a European country with a strong Christian tradition, both Protestant and Catholic. Yet there was little resistance to the NAZIs from the German church, especially the Protestant church. One of the rare voices of resistance was Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was born in Berlin (1906). His father was a professor of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Berlin. Dietrich was a bright boy and excellent student. Bonhoeffer graduated summa cum laude from the University of Berlin (1927). He was awarded his doctorate in theology at the age of 21 with a thoughtful doctoral thesis, 'Sanctorum Communio' (Communion of Saints). He concepualized chalenging new ideas concerning the nature of Christianity. As part of the process of becoming a Reformed (Luthern) Church pastor, Bonhoeffer worked a year as a curate in a parish of a German community in Barcelona, Spain (1928-29). Here, Bonhoeffer witnessed social chaos and a decline of traditional values as the world descended into financial crisis. He became critical of a Church concerned exclusively with religiosity and ignoring the economic needs of people. He returned to the University of Berlin (1929). He wrote his habilitation thesis 'Act and Being' (Akt und Sein). He discussed transcendental philosophy and the impact on Protestant and Catholic theologies.
Bonhoeffer went to the United States for postgraduate study as part of a teaching fellowship at New York City's Union Theological Seminary (1930). There he studied under Reinhold Niebuhr. While at the Seminary he met Frank Fisher, a black seminarian. Fisher took him to the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. There Bonhoeffer taught Sunday school and was introduced to African-American spirituals. He returned to Berlin to be a lecturer in systematic theology (1931). Soon after, Adolf Hitler was appointed Charcellor (1933). Hitler moved rapidly to seize control of Germany. NAZI supporters were soon active in every area of German life. And this included religion. The NAZIs unconstitutionally imposed new church elections (July 1933). Bonhoeffer energetically participated in the elections working for the selection of independent, non-Nazi officials. The elections were rigged and NAZI supporters were elected to important church positions. NAZI Welfare officials moved to take over many Church welfare activities. Had the NAZIs won the War, they would have founded an entirely new state religion to replace Christianity. Bonhoeffer became a leading figure in the Confessing Church which became the center of Protestant resistance to Hitler and the NAZIs. He organized and led the underground seminary of the Confessing Church. He described his ideas and experiences with the underground seminary in his book, Life Together. Another book, The Cost of Discipleship criticises what he referred to as "cheap grace," grace which he described as an excuse for moral laxity. The Christian tradition in Germany generally accepted the political establishment--basically Jesus' instruction of rendering unto Ceasar. Life in the Third Reich, however, led himto the conclusion that Christians had to resist evil even it was perpetrated by legitimate state authorities.
His sister Christine married Hans von Dohnanyi, who becanme active in the anti-NAZI resistance. He had first made contact with resistance grouos while in America. von Dohnanyi introduced Bonhoeffer to a resistance group plotting to overthrow the NAZIs (1939). By this time, Bonhoeffer was being closely monitored by the Gestapo.
He was concerned after the outbreak of the War that he would be drafted to military service. This would involve taking an oath to serve Hitler as Führer. Refusal was a capital offense. His sister Sabine along with her husband of Jewish ancestry Gerhard Leibholz and their two daughters, escaped to England through Switzerland (September 1940). Bonhoeffer
joined the Abwehr (1941). This is interesting that an individual considered disloyal by the Gestapo could join the Abwehr. Of course there were a substantial number of Abwehr members who despised Hitler, including Abwehr head Admiral Canaris. While at the Abwehr he became aware that after the invasion of the Soviet Union, that Germany had begun killing Jews in large numbers. The Gestapo arrested him and Dohnanyi (April 1943). The arrest was the result of the rivalry between the Abwehr and SS. Their Resistance activities were not yet known. They were imprisoned in the military prison in Berlin Tegel. After the failure of the Bomb Plot attempt on Hitler's life (July 1944), Gestapo investigations uncovered evidence of Abwehr involvement in the Resistance, including Bonhoeffer's activities. He was not executed, apparently because a relative had some influence. He was then as the Soviets moved toward Berlin, he was transferred to first to Buchenwald (February 1945) and then to Schoenberg Prison (also described as Flossenbürg Cocentration Camp) in Bavaria. Gestapo agents found Admiral Canaris' diaries with details about his anti-NAZI activities. Hitler who had met with Canaris on many occassions was furious. He ordered that the Admiral be executed as well as other Abwehr conspirators. After conducting a Sunday service, two prison guards entered the cell and ordered, "Prisoner Bonhoeffer, make ready and come with us." This was the nortmal way prisoners were taken away to be executed. He told an English friend, This is the end -- but for me, the beginning -- of life." He was hanged the following day. Admiral Canaris was also hanged at Flossenbürg. Within days the Americans liberated the Camp. Bonhoeffer ledt us, however, an preicelesst body of theologival writings. Indeed, he became one, if not themost widely read and influential Protestnt theologin of modern times.
Germany was a European country with a strong Christian tradition, both Protestant and Catholic. Yet there was little resistance to the NAZIs from the German church, especially the Protestant church. The NAZIs targeted the Catholic Church, but this was less necessaey with the Protestabt Church. One of the rare voices of resistance was Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Dietrich's father was a professor of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Berlin.
Dietrich was born in Berlin (1906).
Dietrich was a bright boy and excellent student. Bonhoeffer graduated summa cum laude from the University of Berlin (1927). He was awarded his doctorate in theology at the age of 21 with a thoughtful doctoral thesis, 'Sanctorum Communio' (Communion of Saints). He concepualized chalenging new ideas concerning the nature of Christianity.
As part of the process of becoming a Reformed (Luthern) Church pastor, Bonhoeffer worked a year as a curate in a parish of a German community in Barcelona, Spain (1928-29). Spain at the time was descending into the Civil War. Here, Bonhoeffer witnessed social chaos and a decline of traditional values as the world descended into financial crisis. He became critical of a Church concerned exclusively with religiosity and ignoring the economic needs of people. He returned to the University of Berlin (1929). He wrote his habilitation thesis 'Act and Being' (Akt und Sein). He discussed transcendental philosophy and the impact on Protestant and Catholic theologies.
Bonhoeffer went to the United States for postgraduate study as part of a teaching fellowship at New York City's Union Theological Seminary (1930). There he studied under Reinhold Niebuhr. While at the Seminary he met Frank Fisher, a black seminarian. Fisher took him to the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. There Bonhoeffer taught Sunday school and was introduced to African-American spirituals. The brief American experience gave gim a newfound appreciation of faith and moral responsibility. [Marsh] He returned to Berlin to be a lecturer in systematic theology (1931).
Soon after, Adolf Hitler was appointed Charcellor (1933). Hitler moved rapidly to seize control of Germany. NAZI supporters were soon active in every area of German life. And this included religion. The NAZIs unconstitutionally imposed new church elections (July 1933). Bonhoeffer energetically participated in the elections working for the selection of independent, non-Nazi officials. The elections were of course rigged and NAZI supporters were elected to important church positions. NAZI Welfare officials moved to take over many Church welfare activities. Had the NAZIs won the War, they would have founded an entirely new state religion to replace Christianity.
Bonhoeffer established a ministry fir the dontrodden and bravely began to speak out against the NAZI oppression of Jews. [Marsh] Bonhoeffer became a leading figure in the Confessing Church which evolved into the center of Protestant resistance to Hitler and the NAZIs. He organized and led the underground seminary of the Confessing Church. He described his ideas and experiences with the underground seminary in his book, Life Together. Another book, The Cost of Discipleship criticises what he referred to as "cheap grace," grace which he described as an excuse for moral laxity. The Christian tradition in Germany generally accepted the political establishment--basically Jesus' instruction of rendering unto Ceasar. Life in the Third Reich, however, led himto the conclusion that Christians had to resist evil even it was perpetrated by legitimate state authorities.
His sister Christine married Hans von Dohnanyi, who becanme active in the anti-NAZI resistance. Bonhoeffer had first made contact with resistance grouos while in America. Von Dohnanyi introduced Bonhoeffer to a resistance group plotting to overthrow the NAZIs (1939). By this time, he was being closely monitored by the Gestapo.
Bonhoeffer was concerned after the outbreak of the War that he would be drafted to military service. This would involve taking an oath to serve Hitler as Führer. Refusal was a capital offense. His sister Sabine along with her husband of Jewish ancestry Gerhard Leibholz and their two daughters, escaped to England through Switzerland (September 1940). Bonhoeffer
joined the Abwehr (1941). This is interesting that an individual considered disloyal by the Gestapo could join the Abwehr. Of course there were a substantial number of Abwehr members who despised Hitler, including Abwehr head Admiral Canaris. While at the Abwehr he became aware that after the invasion of the Soviet Union, that Germany had begun killing Jews in large numbers.
The Gestapo arrested him and Dohnanyi (April 1943). The arrest was the result of the rivalry between the Abwehr and SS. Their Resistance activities were not yet known. They were imprisoned in the military prison in Berlin Tegel. It should be stressed tht prison in NAZI Germany was different than a concentration camp. A level of legality still vcovered most individuals held in prisons. After the failure of the Bomb Plot attempt on Hitler's life (July 1944), Gestapo investigations uncovered evidence of Abwehr involvement in the Resistance, including Bonhoeffer's activities. He was not executed, apparently because a relative had some influence. He was then as the Soviets moved toward Berlin, he was transferred to first to Buchenwald (February 1945) and then to Schoenberg Prison (also described as Flossenbürg Cocentration Camp) in Bavaria.
Gestapo agents found Admiral Canaris' diaries with details about his anti-NAZI activities. Hitler who had met with Canaris on many occassions was furious. He ordered that the Admiral be executed as well as other Abwehr conspirators. After conducting a Sunday service, two prison guards entered the cell and ordered, "Prisoner Bonhoeffer, make ready and come with us." This was the nortmal way prisoners were taken away to be executed. He told an English friend, This is the end -- but for me, the beginning -- of life." He was hanged the following day. Admiral Canaris was also hanged at Flossenbürg. Within days the Americans liberated the Camp.
Bonhoeffer left us, however, an preicelesst body of theologival writings. Indeed, he became one, if not the most widely read and influential Protestnt theologin of modern times. [Marsh]
Marsh, Charles. A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (2014), 528p.
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