Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Living for Truth, Dying for Christ
This post has been adapted from an essay I was asked to write. My goal was to write how Bonhoeffer was an ideal Christian Man in that he represents the Five Pillars of Manhood. The Five Pillars of Manhood are: Think Eternally, Reject Passivity, Act Courageously, Live Above Reproach, and Accept Responsibility.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer born February 4, 1906, was a German theologian, a pastor, and a martyr. Bonhoeffer grew up a Lutheran in Breslau, Germany, where he lived with his father, mother, and six siblings. His father, being a learning neurologist and psychologist in Germany, instilled the love of virtue and an "insistent realism." This realism grew deep roots in Bonhoeffer and had massive implications for his faith later in life. Because of this, I believe he represents an ideal Christian man as he embodies the five pillars of Manhood.Â
Bonhoeffer represents the ideal Christian man in that he thought eternally. Being a Christian for Bonhoeffer meant that the grace that he received through Christ in his salvation caused a total perspective shift. No longer would he settle for anything less than complete obedience to Jesus Christ. For him, all of life is now because of Christ. Fellowship, studies, worship, and everything in between are because of Christ and what He had accomplished. "Cheap grace" was to live comfortably and casually in the knowledge of being a Christian, Bonhoeffer was so compelled by Christ's love and the grace that he was given that his worldview was soaked in his Savior. Bonhoeffer's eternal perspective was visible in what he wrote as well as his actions.Â
His eternal perspective in Christ compelled him to Reject Passivity, another pillar of Manhood. Bonhoeffer was extremely active in life writing, preaching, and leading a seminary. From a young age, he desired to be a pastor and devoted his life to the pursuit of that. When the Nazis took over and the Protestant Church of Germany started supporting them, Bonhoeffer was there to voice his opposition. When the non-supporting church went underground and formed the "Confessing Church, he supported them and even headed up an underground seminary in Finkenwalde, where he trained pastors through vigorous theological studies as well as daily physical training. Though in the face of persecution, Bonhoeffer modeled a firm foundation in Christ by teaching and leading others in what it means to live for Christ. He often traveled back and forth to England from Germany in the early to mid-30s carrying secret messages for the Allies and preaching along the way. When in England he preached at German-speaking churches. Bonhoeffer's life reflects a firm belief in Jesus Christ which led him to take numerous risks for the furtherance of the Gospel in Germany. He also wrestled with his identity as a Christian while simultaneously a German. To take action against Hitler or not. Ultimately, he reached a point where he believed that he must take direct action against the Nazi regime and was part of an assassination attempt against Hitler.
Bonhoeffer represents courage for many Christians and I believe is an ideal representation of manhood’s pillar of Act Courageously. He was a secret agent for the Allies, led an underground seminary, and spoke openly against the Nazis on the radio. Though it inevitably cost him his life, Bonhoeffer lived true to his love for Christ. In 1937 he wrote Cost of Discipleship, addressing what it means to follow Christ. He embodied Luke 14.27 such that he followed Christ to his death on April 9th, 1945. He wrote much in prison and developed a good relationship with several of the guards. He even delivered a short sermon on the morning of his death, and he was hung shortly afterward. Bonhoeffer encapsulates courage in the face of death and shame. He fervently studied the Word of God and was eager to apply it in his life. He represents a consistency that is rarely found in our generation. His passion and zeal for Christ bore strong implications on his life and we are blessed to see the fruit that bore from it and continues to bear.
The last two pillars of Manhood are Live Above Reproach and Accept Responsibility. Bonhoeffer did both of these well. Recognizing the grace that had been afforded to him by Jesus Christ he knew that he had to take responsibility for this new life that he had been gifted. He knew that he was called to die to himself and to bear fruit in accordance with repentance. He lived for Christ and that was his ultimate aim. Though he was a fallen man he strived to represent what it meant to be a disciple of Christ. He outlined extensively this responsibility in much of his writings, namely in Cost of Discipleship and Ethics. He knew that he was called to obedience in Christ and accepted the implications. Being vocal against sin and the Nazis caused him to be arrested and imprisoned. Though convicted as a criminal and sentenced to death he continued to write and preach and minister to others in prison. I am reminded of the Christians in Hebrews who were not ashamed of being implicated as Christians because "they knew that they had a better possession and an abiding one." (Hebrews 10.34)
In conclusion, Bonhoeffer embodies much of what is lacking in our present time. A man of his time who refused to stand aside and live comfortably on the sidelines in America he took action in what he believed God wanted him to do. He saw the needs of his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and went to their aid. The actions that he took are well documented and I encourage you to learn about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I believe that Bonhoeffer sets a high standard for Christians of our generation, he read the cost of discipleship that Jesus talked about and reckoned it was worth the price. Bonhoeffer states in his book Cost of Discipleship "When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow Him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world. But it is the same death every time—death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call." Let us be like Bonhoeffer who recognizes that dying to ourselves means to live in Christ. Colossians 3.3-4 states it beautifully "for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Let us learn from Dietrich Bonhoeffer who truly believed "for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1.21)