Book Review: Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

I received a copy of Eric Metaxas’ new book in the mail for review and was amazingly surprised at the detail he put into this book. It’s probably the first Dietrich Bonhoeffer biography in 40+ years and I’m sure it was well worth the wait for anyone who may have been waiting for one. It includes real picutres, documents, etc. from Bonhoeffer’s life and his society which bring this story to life on a level I have yet to see in a biography.

Metaxas does an exquisite job of laying out the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a concise yet extremely detailed way from beginning to end, bringing us beautifully to the climax of Bonhoeffer’s April 9, 1945, execution at Flossenburg concentration camp for his role in an insurgence against Adolf Hitler.

Of all the compelling aspects of this book, I was drawn most to the testimony of the camp doctor, H. Fischer-Hullstrung, who said:

“[Just before the execution] I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer kneeling on the floor, praying fervently to God… so certain that God heard his prayer… I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.”

A man facing certain death for his convictions and clearly fueled from his Christian ethics, Bonhoeffer resembles the martyred apostles of Jesus Himself, willing to die for his beliefs and praising God until the end. Metaxas perfectly describes Bonhoeffer’s theology as being rooted deep in historic Christianity, emphasizing the life of Jesus Christ and a certain prophet-like disdain for the wicked generation in which he lived. Lead by this conviction, Bonhoeffer would not settle for the injustices being carried out and promoted by the Nazi regime.

This book is highly recommended for any Christian. Whether you’re new or seasoned, a theologian or an armchair layman, Metaxas’ scholarly yet accessible writing style will bring you on a journey through the life of a man of God who suffered well for the cross of Christ.