Michael asks…
Why did Dietrich Bonhoeffer write that he found God in suffering people?
He was first a Nazi supporter and later changed and helped many jews to escape from concentration camps. He was later jailed and executed by the nazis for helping jews escape. Some of his letters were smuggled out from his cell .
If people say that Hitler and the nazis were Christians who gassed jews, then how come Bonhoeffer who became a christian helped jews to escape and even paid with his life for it?
What was the difference between Hitlers version of Christianity and Bonhoeffer‘s Christianity?
weight loss cardiff answers:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran Pastor. It is possible that like many in Germany he may have supported the strengthening of the nation that Hitler promised. However, he never supported the evil that became the token of Hitler’s reign.
Bonhoeffer was smuggled out of Germany. He could have remained there and lived a long life. However, he knew that the German Church had to be rebuilt after Hitler was overthrown. He believed that he could not help rebuild the church unless he actively opposed Hitler. He therefore returned to Germany.
He helped lead the Christian resistance to Hitler. Whether or not he was involved, he was accused of being part of the group that tried to assassinate Hitler and was thus imprisoned. He died there just a few days before the concentration camp was liberated. His witness to Christ’s truth in the midst of the horrors of the Third Reich did help to change the church in Germany. It is stronger because of his faithfulness to death.
He also left us a rich library of writings that have helped define modern Christianity.
Why did he find God in suffering people? He knew the truth of scripture – “For as you did to the least of these my brothers (sisters) you have done to me.” Our Lord is always among the poor and suffering.
Pastor John
edit: Just reread your question. What Hitler was, faithwise, is in dispute. There are records that show he came from Jewish ancestry. He was raised in a Catholic Church. However, there was little of Christian teaching in the horrors of the Third Reich. Hitler’s belief in the Super Race of Germany and his genetic experiments have as much to do with Humanism and science as with Christianity.
The truth is that Hitler was a confused and evil man who used his beliefs to bolster his own actions. His actions do not reflect any form of Christianity or for that matter other faith beliefs.
Mary asks…
Who is Dietrich Bonhoeffer?
Who is he? How was he important and influent the Christian people?
What’s he known for?
weight loss cardiff answers:
Was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian and martyr. He was also a participant in the German resistance movement against Nazism and a founding member of the Confessing Church. His involvement in plans by members of the Abwehr (the German Military Intelligence Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent execution by hanging in April 1945, 23 days before the Nazis’ surrender. His view of Christianity’s role in the secular world has become very influential.
Nancy asks…
What do you think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and C.S. Lewis on their views of Christianity?
What if anything did they accomplish? Would they Approve of the legislation of HR bill 254 in restricting Religious Free Speech?
weight loss cardiff answers:
The writings of both have contributed a great deal to Christian heritage. I don’t believe either would have approved of a bill restricting religious free speech. Boenhoffer called on professing Christians to walk the walk, he wrote “The cost of discipleship”.
Lewis was a Christian philosopher. He wrote “Mere Christianity” which gave a lot of logical reasons to believe. He also wrote “Screwtape Letters” an imaginary letter dialogue between two demons (a nephew and his uncle). His book “The great Divorce” is fantastic. And if you like child fantasy, read the Narnia chronicles. That’s the best.
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