For those who might maintain a subscription or keep current with this blog site, you are aware that Dietrich Bonhoeffer has been a newly created historical superstar to much of the Church. Several mainline denominations have ascribed to him martyr status and honestly, I would not debate that honor. That being said, he has also generated a discussion as to the appropriateness of looking to him as a model for cultural engagement considering his theology was originally formed through German theological liberalism of the 1930’s. I have already written concerning my perspective of his journey and the distinctions I personally hold compared to what we know of Bonhoeffer. I would like in this blog, in a more practical way, highlight what I believe to be the four lessons the conservative evangelical Church might learn and what pastors of those churches need to embrace.
LESSON #1
Bonhoeffer recognized that the state Church of Germany was largely compromised.
It became evident early in Hitler’s regime that his plan was to eviscerate the influence of the German clergy and connect the Church to the laws and expectations of the state. Hitler’s plan generally worked as Germany’s pastors easily yielded to the Nazi’s agenda. Most of us are all too aware of the story of the train filled with Jews destined for a concentration camp passing a church on a Sunday morning with the congregation all too aware of it’s passengers. Instead of engaging the evil the Church simply “sang louder” to drown out the noise. It has become the anecdotal story which illustrates the complete compromise of the Church.
Tyranny and evil exists in America because the Church remains in a compromised state. Our problems with these things is directly related to a similar condition in our churches. There is an appropriate place of relationship and friendship with our governmental leaders. I would even concede the thought that to be at the “table” of public discussion there is an expected decorum and respect with our civic leaders. But our generosity of spirit should never be construed nor manipulated to yield our deeply held Scriptural concerns. This is why Bonhoeffer was a part of founding the Confessing Church of Germany as an alternative and response to the compromise of the state church of Germany.
The Bonhoeffer Institute is another organizational conduit which seeks to help the American Church maintain its convictions and recovery our core Christian values.
LESSON #2
Bonhoeffer trained ministers to renew the Church and challenge tyranny.
It is never enough to simply inspire and inform the clergy (although those elements are important), but rather train them in the practicalities of renewing and leading their churches as well as challenging cultural evil.
Bonhoeffer started what was considered an “underground” seminary at Finkenwald. If you wonder if the instruction at Finkenwald actually challenged the Nazi’s it might interest you to know that the entire student body and professors were eventually arrested by the Gestapo in order to stop their training. The school was continued but might be called, “seminary on the run”. Bonhoeffer would visit his students and continue to train and converse with them despite not having a building to meet in.
The Bonhoeffer Institute is much like the “seminary on the run”. BI travels from city to city and state to state to train clergy in the theology of reformation. It will be this solid, orthodox instruction of biblical reformation that will renew the American Church and clergy to release it to challenge our current problems with biblical answers.
LESSON #3
Bonhoeffer was willing to consider new paradigms (Scriptural) in confronting evil.
Bonhoeffer wrestled profoundly with the evil of Hitler and the Nazi’s. He saw the holocaust and the destruction of Germany which would deeply effect any person with a moral compass. We know that he was a part of certain circles that were discussing the possibility of assassinating Hitler. We have no firm evidence that this action would have been endorsed or dis-endorsed by Bonhoeffer. He was captured and killed before those discussions were revealed. We do know that his incarceration and martyrdom was due to his name association with those people actively considering it. I caution any guilt by association accusations at this point. Bonhoeffer was a pastor whose theology was transforming significantly in his latter days.
I do think that it is totally appropriate to derive the lesson that Bonhoeffer was willing to consider new paradigms with regards to confronting unmitigated evil. Whenever I make this point people leap to the conclusion that I would advocate assassination under certain circumstances. Honestly, I know the United States through the CIA has probably executed a number of people through assassination. I would be naive to think otherwise. And I cannot say that I have spent hours pondering the Christian position of assassination. Fortunately, that has never been on my radar and I have confronted no evil which would demand such a discussion. However, as America continues to spiral into rebellion I do believe that a fresh look at the Scriptures will be necessary and a new paradigm for cultural engagement will need to emerge. The Bonhoeffer Institute is designed to provoke that much needed thought in our current state. We cannot continually do what we have always done and expect different results.
LESSON #4
Bonhoeffer was the first-fruit of contemporary clergy courage in the face of evil.
There have been courageous clergy all through global and American history. Bonhoeffer’s courage is notable because the evil he confronted was notable. His commitment to suffer with his countrymen in order to help reconstruct Germany at war’s end is an inspiration and model for today’s clergy to courageously stand for truth.
The unfortunate reality is that most ministers today seek to be liked rather than seek to be of influence. They want the accolades of the culture and community and certainly not its ire. Gratefully, more are beginning to venture into the realm of cultural reformation and political engagement. This is a good sign. However, these pastors will need the ongoing training, support, and encouragement from their reformation colleagues to maintain their fearlessness. The Bonhoeffer Institute is continually designing ministry options in order to facilitate the meeting of that need. At this moment seminars, conferences, curriculum, and counsel are all becoming available to support the pastors in becoming watchmen on the wall and elders at the gates of their communities.
I want to encourage any who might read this and sense it resonate in their spirit to consider taking the next step and supporting BI in its mission to pastors and churches. Consider the donation and support page on The BI webpage linked to this blog or use the link below and help us meet the financial goal to begin to put into motion a great national vision for reformation. No gift is too small and I am believing for some significant gifts as well. And if a BI would be of interest in your community, please contact us and we would love to explore those possibilities.
https://www.gofundme.com/the-Bonhoeffer-institute
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