Bonhoeffer — Pastor; Spy; Assassin
Following a failed assassination attempt on his life at a high security bunker, Hilter rounded up those involved with the resistance and conducted mass executions. One of the men executed was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a remarkable figure who left a lasting impact on theology and history.
Born as one of eight children in a prominent family in 1906 in what was then Germany, Deitrich grew up being fascinated with the big questions of life like: What is my purpose? Is there life after death? And what does eternity mean? He studied theology at several universities where he became influenced by earlier theologians. He longed to spread his view that Christians must live out their faith through action. He took up a position at a German church in Barcelona where he was exposed to the realities of poverty while serving the Spanish communities. Here his transformation from a mere theologian to a more compassionate pastor-theologian blossomed.
Upon returning to Germany, he was ordained and took a position as a lecturer at the University of Berlin. No one knew this mild-mannered man would go on to play a critical role in the resistance against the Nazi regime. He believed the nations of Europe should live peacefully together. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler was coming to power.
While Bonhoeffer, with his blonde hair and blue eyes, perfectly fit Hitler’s Aryan stereotype, any affinity between him and the Third Reich stopped there. He was vocal in his opposition to Hitler, particularly against the regime’s anti-Semitic policies. He was one of the first to publicly speak out against Hitler’s actions towards the Jews. But in the middle of a speech against the new regime he was abruptly silenced by government censure.
Within the church, Bonhoeffer called for Christian resistance to Hitler’s persecution of the Jews. He stood up for those who were not of his own faith when they were treated wrongly. This serves as an inspiration for us and our writing. Whether we be Muslim, Christian, Jewish, or profess another faith, we can all be inspired by this man’s life and words.
After the Nazi regime interfered in the church’s affairs, Bonhoeffer and others founded the Confessing Church, which stood in opposition to the Nazi-influenced German Christian Movement. They aimed to maintain the independence of the church from state control – and to uphold Christian doctrines against Nazi ideology. Bonhoeffer played a significant role and taught in the spirit of resistance at its underground seminary.
He was soon declared an enemy of the state and fled Germany for the United States but once there he knew it wasn’t where he belonged. For him, life was a series of crucial decisions and one who believes does not flee so he returned to Germany just before the start of World War II. Using his brother-in-law’s connections, Bonhoeffer started working for the Abwehr (the German military intelligence), but his intention was to act as a spy against his ‘employer’ – a courier for the resistance movement. The position allowed him to communicate with the Western Allies and reveal the intentions of the German resistance in hopes of securing their support, and to help Jews escape Nazi oppression.
Bonhoeffer transformed from a pacifist devout pastor to a double agent who became involved in secret plots to overthrow and later assassinate Hitler. When the truth of Bonhoeffer’s dual role was discovered, he was arrested and imprisoned in Berlin.
Later, he was transferred to various concentration camps. Despite extremely harsh conditions, Bonhoeffer remained steadfast in his beliefs and continued to inspire others. After two years in captivity, Bonhoeffer was executed by hanging at Flossenbürg concentration camp, just weeks before the end of WWII. His execution was part of a broader purge of resistance members following the failed assassination attempts on Hitler.
Bonhoeffer’s resistance efforts were driven by his deep faith and moral conviction. He believed that all believers, regardless of specific religion, had a duty to oppose injustice and tyranny, even at great personal risk. He said, “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself: Not to speak is to speak evil. Not to act is to act evil.” This message presents itself in several ways in our novel. Adam stands up against the oppression of AI in his homeland. And his mentor Komourin struggles in fear of being exposed, but finally speaks out against the bully Bogart.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s legacy as a theologian and martyr continues to inspire those who stand against oppression and fight for justice to this very day. His writings and teachings, many of which find their ways into the pages of our books, are filled with profound insights and powerful statements, including:
“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world it leaves to its children.” This sentiment motivated Adam and Tari as they worked to prevent civil war in Galtland.
“There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very difficult, but at the same time we can find great comfort in gratitude for that life. It is only with gratitude that our lives become rich!” This is an overarching message in our third novel, ‘Never Forgotten.’
Bonhoeffer is commemorated at WestMinster Abbey as one of the statues representing the ten most important Christian martyrs. His words continue to resonate with many people today – offering guidance and inspiration in various aspects of life, faith, and resistance against injustice. Bonhoeffer’s life is a testament to the power of faith and conviction in the face of tyranny. His words, his legacy, continue to challenge and inspire people to stand up for justice and live out their beliefs with courage and integrity.
