Plot Summary
In April 1933 Hitler's "Aryan Paragraph," a law banning Jews from working within the German government, went into effect. Since German churches relied on support from the state, most complied by dismissing their pastors and any employees of Jewish decent. Deitrich Bonhoeffer's faith, however, compelled him to defy Hitler and speak out against him. Within days of the implementation of the new law, Bonhoeffer published an essay titled "The Church and the Jewish Question" that asserted Christians have an obligation to help victims of the state, even if they were not of the Christian faith. His convictions drove him to stand up to a regime that few dared.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: A Righteous Gentile vs. the Third Reich is a detailed account of this complex person. In addition to being an outspoken Lutheran theologian, Bonhoeffer became a double-agent, spying on the enemy and pretending to be in subjection to the regime, all the while gathering information that would be used in an assassination attempt on Hitler.
Bonhoeffer's understanding of his faith required more of him than adhering to a personal moral code and a life of non-violence. His rejection of Hitler's philosophy was unique for a loyal German, especially a religious man. This audiobook contains never-before-revealed facts about his intriguing saga.
Eric Metaxas is a well-known American biographer. In addition to Bonhoeffer, he wrote Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery. His other works include children's books and television scripts, including Veggie Tales and Strawberry Shortcake. Bonhoeffer's works have won awards and attracted accolades, including the 2010 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's "Christian Book of the Year" Award.
Metaxas is also known as an effective commentator, narrator and debater. He's commentated for CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. Additionally, he's been featured on NPR and The History Channel, and has debated at the Oxford Union, the nation's oldest debating society.
Mataxas resides in Manhattan with his wife and daughter.
"This is a really excellent book. It gives real insight into the life of Bonhoeffer and reveals his spirit. Also, an excellent history lesson is woven into the narrative. So the book reveals the extraordinary faithful and courageous person against the backdrop of the evil that was Nazi Germany."
—
Alan (5 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Who better to face the greatest evil of the 20th century than a humble man of faith?
As Adolf Hitler and the Nazis seduced a nation, bullied a continent, and attempted to exterminate the Jews of Europe, a small number of dissidents and saboteurs worked to dismantle the Third Reich from the inside. One of these was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor and author.
In this New York Times bestselling biography, Eric Metaxas takes both strands of Bonhoeffer's life--the theologian and the spy--and draws them together to tell a searing story of incredible moral courage in the face of monstrous evil.
In Bonhoeffer, Metaxas presents the fullest account of Bonhoeffer's life, including his:
- heart-wrenching decision to leave the safe haven of America to return to Hitler's Germany
- involvement in the famous Valkyrie plot and in "Operation 7," the effort to smuggle Jews into neutral Switzerland
- lifelong dedication to sharing the tenets of his faith
This edition, revised and with a new introduction from the author, shares the deeply moving story through previously unavailable documents, including personal letters, detailed journal entries, and firsthand personal accounts to reveal never-before-seen dimensions of Bonhoeffer's life and work.
Praise for Bonhoeffer:
"Metaxas has created a biography of uncommon power--intelligent, moving, well researched, vividly written, and rich in implication for our own lives. Or to put it another way: Buy this book. Read it. Then buy another copy and give it to a person you love. It's that good." --Archbishop Charles Chaput, author, First Things
"Metaxas tells Bonhoeffer's story with passion and theological sophistication." —Wall Street Journal
"Metaxas presents Bonhoeffer as a clear-headed, deeply convicted Christian who submitted to no one and nothing except God and his Word." --Christianity Today
"Metaxas has written a book that adds a new dimension to World War II, a new understanding of how evil can seize the soul of a nation and a man of faith can confront it." --Thomas Fleming, author, The New Dealers’ War
Download and start listening now!
About Eric Metaxas
Eric Metaxas is an American Christian author, speaker, and conservative radio host. His 2014 book Miracles was a New York Times bestseller. His biographies, children’s books, and works of popular apologetics have been translated into multiple languages around the world. He was awarded the Canterbury Medal in 2011 by the Becket Fund for Religious Freedom.