Today is Pearl Harbor remembrance day from WWII - on the other side of the world, in Germany, a young theologian was penning his thoughts
from a Nazi prison...
from a Nazi prison...
"A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes... and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent"
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian, a pastor, a spiritual writer, a musician, and an author of fiction and poetry. As a Christian, Bonnhoeffer lived in Germany during the time of Hitler and stood up in voice and action against the atrocities facing the Jewish people. In April of 1943 he was imprisoned for his political resistance to the Nazi's brutality. Nearly two years later he was transferred to Buchenwald concentration camp. When it was discovered that Bonnhoeffer was a part of a group attempting to assassinate Hitler, Hitler ordered Bonnhoeffer and the other members of this group to be killed.
As a Christian, Bonnhoeffer lived in Germany during the time of Hitler and stood up in voice and action against the atrocities facing the Jewish people. In April of 1943 he was imprisoned for his political resistance to the Nazi's brutality. Nearly two years later he was transferred to Buchenwald concentration camp. When it was discovered that Bonnhoeffer was a part of a group attempting to assassinate Hitler, Hitler ordered Bonnhoeffer and the other members of this group to be killed. On April 9th, 1945, Bonhoeffer (age 39) was hanged at Flossenburg for his participation in a Protestant resistance movement to the Nazi regime.
For reflection:
- What strikes you about Bonnhoeffer's statement in light of his imprisonment?
- Did Bonnhoeffer ultimately get freedom? How does your answer make you feel?
- What are some of the perceived "prisons" of your life that you need "Someone" from the outside to open the door?
- How might you hope in Christ to be near you in your waiting and hoping?
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment