SILENCE IN THE FACE OF EVIL IS ITSELF EVIL

Today marks Dietrich Bonhoeffer's birthday, a German theologian known for his stand against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. As we honor the memory of Bonhoeffer, it’s crucial to remember that we also have the privilege and responsibility to engage in the public square. Read more: http://alln.cc/1fDmZZY-

On April 9 1945; just days before the US army would liberate Flossenburg prison where he was being held, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged. Bonhoeffer had lead the Confessing Church in Nazi Germany and was just 39 when he died.

Bonhoeffer was outspoken in his opposition to the Nazis and was willing to speak out not just about Hitler's dictatorship but also his euthanasia programme and the Jewish holocaust. Bonhoeffer had many opportunities to escape Germany; yet deliberately chose to continue his work serving the Confessing Church, a group of churches that refused to allow their pulpits to be used for Nazi propaganda. In 1943, just after getting engaged, Bonhoeffer was arrested and taken to Tegel prison and then later to Flossenburg where he was exectuted.

Bonhoeffer was a pastor, theologian and poet. His theology fuelled his political engagement and it cost him his life. Through his writings he remains a powerful prophetic voice to the church. Alongside CS Lewis he is one of the world's most quoted theologians; his personal courage and martyrdom bring authenticity to his challenging words. 70 years on from his death, it is vital that his call to costly and courageous discipleship is still heeded.  

ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM BLOG


DIETRICH BONHOEFFER, 1906-1945 (WIKI)


DIETRICH BONHOEFFER (Jewish Virtual Library)


DIETRICH BONHOEFFER (Christian History)


INTERNET ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PHILOSOPHY


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BOOK OF COLLECTED SERMONS


THE WORLD OF CONFLICTS (Video)



                                                                                   

MY MODERN DAY INTERPRETATION

We cannot be silent in the face of all the evil things which are happening in our Nazi-esque society, and being perpetrated by the politicians, their lackeys, Big Pharma, Monsanto, the clini-shrinks, the warmongers, and various other scum and their wimps.

         SCUM AND WIMPS, ONE YEAR ON: A poem inspired by my friend Thomas Tallis