So forgiveness pre-requires understanding the mistakes of the past? here hear re this opposing this me-first, America-first, white-first, male-first approach>…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Lesson 1: Life
Read MORE: Lesson 1: LifeWhen Paul suggested we do something on a Lutheran theologian and mentioned Dietrich Bonhoeffer, my ears went up. A number of my other friends have named him recently when discussing how the church should relate to government activities they think are…
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Lesson 2: The Cost of Discipleship
Read MORE: Lesson 2: The Cost of DiscipleshipI first read The Cost of Discipleship my first year in divinity school when a classmate, Gene Outka, who went on to teach ethics at Yale, recommended it as something every Lutheran pastor should read. It was good advice. Bonhoeffer…
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Lesson 3: Ethics
Read MORE: Lesson 3: EthicsBonhoeffer’s arrest prevented him from finishing what was meant to be his greatest work. Back in seminary, I rather hurriedly read what we have of the Ethics as an academic study and was unimpressed. I reread it in the past…
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Lesson 4: Letters and Papers from Prison: Observations
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Letters and Papers from Prison: ObservationsMy primary goal when I started rereading the Letters was to examine what Bonhoeffer means about the need for a religionless Christianity in our world come of age. He repeatedly claims that this demands brutal honesty in reading the scriptures…
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Lesson 5: Letters and Papers from Prison (Part 2): Stocktaking of Christianity
Read MORE: Lesson 5: Letters and Papers from Prison (Part 2): Stocktaking of ChristianityI thought the best way to report what Bonhoeffer meant by the need for a religionless Christianity in this world come of age would to be to use an outline he himself provides. At one point in the Letters, he…
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Lesson 6: Letters and Papers from Prison (Part 3): The Real Meaning of Christian Faith
Read MORE: Lesson 6: Letters and Papers from Prison (Part 3): The Real Meaning of Christian FaithThe second chapter in Bonhoeffer’s proposed book on religionless Christianity in our world come of age examines the real meaning of faith. He repeatedly claims this demands the absolute honesty of repentance that admits our failures and accepts divine guidance…
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Lesson 7: Letters and Papers from Prison (Part 4): Conclusions and Consequences
Read MORE: Lesson 7: Letters and Papers from Prison (Part 4): Conclusions and ConsequencesThroughout his writings, Bonhoeffer repeatedly contends the Church must commit herself to living in complete honesty and by the standards found in the scriptures if she is to save the world from self-destruction. Only in this way can she avoid…
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Lesson 8: Final Thoughts on Bonhoeffer
Read MORE: Lesson 8: Final Thoughts on BonhoefferI really have been overwhelmed rereading Bonhoeffer. As I have repeatedly reported, I was not that impressed when I first studied him in divinity school. At that time, I was caught up in the civil rights movement and naively felt…
Recent Comments
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!
yes we need to forgive our leaders yet make sure they do the right thing – which they aren’t.