The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a story about Nazis, spies and courage.

Along with other pastors and theologians, Bonhoeffer stood up to the Nazi government in Germany, the heart of the regime. Starting their own church called the Confessing Church, they openly professed that Jesus Christ was their first allegiance, not the state nor the Nazi party. That might seem obvious in 2019, but they were a minority in the 1930s and they took some serious heat for it. In fact, many pastors believed Adolf Hitler was a man who could save Christianity through political power. But Dietrich was not duped.

It was during this time that Bonhoeffer wrote his most famous work, “Cost of Discipleship,” when he was 31 years old. It was a call to radical Christian obedience and a rebuke of Christians who sought complacency and comfort. It is, without a doubt, one of the three most influential Christian books of the 20th century. Go read it.

(Writing one of the three most influential books on Christian life and doctrine is a lot like writing a monthly column about historical church figures for a Salvation Army publication aimed at Gen Z, but slightly less cool.)

After being shut down by the Nazis, he began teaching at a secret and underground seminary. But that too was discovered and closed. With mounting losses, the Church became increasingly reluctant to speak out against Hitler, lest they suffer stronger and harsher consequences. But Dietrich refused to give up.

Instead, he decided to go undercover. He signed up to be part of the secret service that traveled to churches all over Europe, collecting information about the places and people he visited. He used his position to help Jews escape Nazi oppression. He was being paid by the Germans to liberate the oppressed Jewish people! #Hero

Bonhoeffer continued his secret fight against the Nazis until it was discovered he was part of a plot to assassinate Hitler. He was sent away to one of the concentration camps, where he spent a year writing and reflecting. He was hanged for his radical obedience a month before the camp was liberated by Allied forces. 

So What?

Dietrich’s commitment to the Gospel never wavered, but he did change tactics as the world around him changed. How best can you live out a radical life of obedience?