Bonhoeffer on the Christian and politics

[Crabtownboy]

Politics are not the task of a Christian.

 

[Arbo]

The same Bonhoeffer who participated in politics by actively opposing his country's government?

Had he followed his own advice as presented in the OP, he would have lived longer; but as I understand the man, it would have been with a heavy conscience.

 

[annsni]

Can I read the entire context?

 

[mont974x4]

I recommend the book "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy". It is an excellent biography. One of the things it does is outlines the development of his doctrinal stances as well as his political ideology. It specifically addresses the issue raised by Arbo.

 

[annsni]

I recommend the book "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy". It is an excellent biography. One of the things it does is outlines the development of his doctrinal stances as well as his political ideology. It specifically addresses the issue raised by Arbo.

I have the book - it was free on the Kindle. From me doing some searching right now, it seems this quote is from when he first returned from NY and was a pacifist but from knowing a little history about him, we know that he certainly changed his mind later on. So I'd say that it is not a good representation of the man as he battled in Nazi Germany.

 

[mont974x4]

The book I mentioned was written by a man named Metaxas. He references a lot of other books by Bonhoeffer as well as books about him. I don't know which book is quoted in the OP. I was just suggesting the book I know that discusses how his ideals changed based on his study of the Word and his understanding of what Christ calls us to as believers. This is most stark, IMO, in considering his explanation of how he came to be an active participant in a plan to kill Hitler. I don't recall anything in his argument that I could object too. One thing that did not change is his belief that we are to live sacrificially. The change was in how that is loved out in practical ways based on his cultural and historical context.

It could be a very helpful read for us living today. I found the parallels between then and now (in politics and in the Church) remarkable.

 

[annsni]

The book I mentioned was written by a man named Metaxas. He references a lot of other books by Bonhoeffer as well as books about him. I don't know which book is quoted in the OP. I was just suggesting the book I know that discusses how his ideals changed based on his study of the Word and his understanding of what Christ calls us to as believers. This is most stark, IMO, in considering his explanation of how he came to be an active participant in a plan to kill Hitler. I don't recall anything in his argument that I could object too. One thing that did not change is his belief that we are to live sacrificially. The change was in how that is loved out in practical ways based on his cultural and historical context.

It could be a very helpful read for us living today. I found the parallels between then and now (in politics and in the Church) remarkable.

That book was free on the Kindle for a short time and I made sure the whole family got it.

 

[mont974x4]

It is worth the read for sure. I bought it with a gift card I got when I got my BA. It was the first book I got to read for pleasure since starting college. LOL

 

[Arbo]

When Metaxas' book was released, I read roughly half of it before getting sidetracked by another work. In the half that I did read, I found him to be an interesting individual. I should probably finish it.

 

[Alcott]

Politics are not the task of a Christian.

And you make a great number of political posts on here. Let the readers come to their own conclusions.

 

[annsni]

It is worth the read for sure. I bought it with a gift card I got when I got my BA. It was the first book I got to read for pleasure since starting college. LOL

I just finished my brainless fiction book and now it's onto a serious book. I think I'm pulling out Bonhoeffer tonight!