One of the most intriguing figures in Christian history for me is Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer argued for complete nonresistance and yet was implicated in a plot to assassinate Hitler. Bonhoeffer was too conservative for liberals and too liberal for conservatives.
Eric Metaxas attempted to turn him into an evangelical culture warrior in his bestselling biography. But what was Bonhoeffer really like? The best place to go is his own writings.
Some may turn to popular works like The Cost of Discipleship or Life Together but his Letters and Papers from Prison will give you a deeper perspective on this complicated pastor and theologian.
In some ways this book is the least and most theological of his books. It seems to be about mundane topics, such as asking for more writing paper or cigarettes. It may surprise some evangelical fans of Bonhoeffer that he clearly connected his creative output to his access to cigarettes.
At the same time, it is deeply theological. Forced into solitude and removed from comfort, Bonhoeffer reflected theologically on all his circumstances.
This book is made up of letters to his friends and family. He discusses his desire to use the time to study subjects that he is less familiar with. He also speaks of his intentions of marrying his fiancé on his release. Of course the reader knows that his hope is futile.
He puts on a brave face for his parents but gradually begins to prepare for his fate with his closest friend. It is an emotional moment near the end of the book when the two way correspondence ends and his family write anxiously, wondering where he was.
At that point, Bonhoeffer is moved from his prison of Tegel to the concentration camp that would hold him until his execution.
I found it a moving experience to read Letters and Papers from Prison and it gave me renewed appreciation for Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Please note that the links in the post are Amazon affiliate links.
