Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Called by God

by Elizabeth Raum

Book Overview

Nazi Germany produced an unusual group of Christian martyrs--among them, the nun philosopher Edith Stein, the mystical philosopher Simone Weil, and the peasant conscientious objector Hans JSgerstatter--but perhaps none so complex as the Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Born into a large upper-middle-class, professional family that was not particularly devout or observant (his father was one of the leading psychiatrists in Germany), Dietrich...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826415547
• ISBN13: 9780826415547
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Continuum
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Understanding Bonhoeffer

A refreshing and informative 170 + pages survey of Bonhoeffer's life. This should be the first book on Bonhoeffer one reads to get the full sweep of the major points in his life, family, theology and death.

of book clubs and discussions

The reading is easy, but the lessons of faith in the face of evil will never leave you. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a man who became so alarmed at Hitler's treatment of the Jews that he dared to oppose Hitler even in the face of death and participated in the failed plot to assassinate him. Bonhoeffer abandoned his protected role in the Clergy working tirelessly for those targeted by Hitler. Ms. Raum's journalistic style creates a powerful story, the events of which are starkly presented. Juxtaposed against the rise of Hitler is the life of a man of wealth and privilege who, seeing the looming threat, embarks on a fatal journey. It is a story of a man of God, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, standing up for the people of God and never giving up or turning his back on God's call even unto his own death on the gallows in a concentration camp. This is a wonderful book for any Book Club. Ms. Raum offers questions on her website as a jumping off point. The book and the questions provoked over 2 hours of lively discussion and insight into how God uses people and those who take the challenge.

A True Hero

Anyone, who's never heard of Bonhoeffer, can read this book and receive a wonderful introduction to a true hero. It's clear and simple enough to give to a young teenager, but also factual enough and inviting enough for any age.Ms. Raum has taken a complex subject and hero and made them both available to anyone who wants to explore how Christians responded during World War II in Germany.