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He studied at Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1930 and 31. During this time he was well aware of developments in Germany, but could not arouse much interest from a complacent west. The ignorant complacence of those who did not understand the roots of the titanic struggle that was about to occur in Germany, as Bonhoeffer did, grieved him. For some time he struggled with his options, including some time in England, before he decided to return to suffer with and share in the creation of the Confessing Church in Germany.
He saw it as his duty to return rather than exercise his opportunity for freedom, even though he sensed what this could mean. 'The reasoning which brought Bonhoeffer to his decision belongs, as Reinhold Niebuhr says,"to the finest logic of Christian martyrdom". "I shall have no right", Bonhoeffer wrote to Niebuhr (before leaving the US for the final time in 1939) "... to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with my people....Christians in Germany will face the terrible alternative of either willing the defeat of their nation in order that Christian civilization may survive, or willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilization. I know which of these alternatives I must choose; but I cannot make this choice in security"
Sources :'Memoir' written by G. Leibholz as a forward in 'The Cost of Discipleship' SCM, 1980, p13 and 'Who's Who in Christian History.' by J.D. Douglas.
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∙ 16y ago
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∙ 11y agoHe studied at Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1930 and 31. During this time he was well aware of developments in Germany, but could not arouse much interest from a complacent west. The ignorant complacence of those who did not understand the roots of the titanic struggle that was about to occur in Germany, as Bonhoeffer did, grieved him. For some time he struggled with his options, including some time in England, before he decided to return to suffer with and share in the creation of the Confessing Church in Germany.
He saw it as his duty to return rather than exercise his opportunity for freedom, even though he sensed what this could mean. 'The reasoning which brought Bonhoeffer to his decision belongs, as Reinhold Niebuhr says,"to the finest logic of Christian martyrdom". "I shall have no right", Bonhoeffer wrote to Niebuhr (before leaving the US for the final time in 1939) "... to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with my people....Christians in Germany will face the terrible alternative of either willing the defeat of their nation in order that Christian civilization may survive, or willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilization. I know which of these alternatives I must choose; but I cannot make this choice in security"
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When did Dietrich Bonhoeffer return to Germany?
He returned to Germany in 1931.
Is the cellist Dietrich Bethge son of Bonhoeffer's friend Pastor Bethge?
Yes, Dietrich Wilhelm Rudiger Bethge is the son of Eberhard and Renate Bethge. Renate Rudiger is the niece of theologian and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Eberhard was his closest friend. Another nephew of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is Christoph von Dohnanyi, long time conductor of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was an excellent pianist and Eberhard Bethge an excellent flutist.
How did Dietrich Bonhoeffer die?
Well, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged in a concentration camp because he basically lived the ethics that he taught. Bonhoeffer was an advocate for Jews in national socialist Germany during World War two, and that landed him in prison.
Why was Dietrich Bonhoeffer arrested?
He was accused of complicity in the 20 July 1944 attempt to assassinate Hitler.
Where does thi come from The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children?
Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
When did Dietrich Bonhoeffer return to Germany?
He returned to Germany in 1931.
What was Dietrich Bonhoeffer known for?
He was a pastor and a theologist. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed for contributing to a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler and resisting Germany's Nazi regime in other ways.
What was Dietrich Bonhoeffer best known for?
He was a pastor and a theologist. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed for contributing to a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler and resisting Germany's Nazi regime in other ways.
What is Dietrich Bonhoeffer's birthday?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born on February 4, 1906.
When did Dietrich Bonhoeffer die?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer died on April 9, 1945 at the age of 39.
Why did Dietrich Bonhoeffer defend Jews?
what did bonhoeffer realise when he was released from prison
What religion was dietrich bonhoeffer?
He was Christian
Where did Dietrich Bonhoeffer live?
Poland
Method of execution of Dietrich Bonhoeffer?
He was hanged by the Nazi's a week before their defeat. Watch the movie about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it is pretty good.
How old is Dietrich Bonhoeffer?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born on February 4, 1906 and died on April 9, 1945. Dietrich Bonhoeffer would have been 39 years old at the time of death or 109 years old today.
Did anyone help Dietrich Bonhoeffer?
Yes
Where did Dietrich Bonhoeffer grow up?
Bonhoeffer was born in Breslau, Silesia, and moved to Berlin when he was six.
