BONHOEFFER: AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN WITH CHARACTER
It has been a tradition in my family since I was a child to give and receive books at Christmas. This Christmas was no exception. I was most fortunate to receive: Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas, The Bed of Cruces by Nicholas Taleb and Decision Points by George W. Bush. I am thoroughly enjoying Bonhoeffer, which I chose as my first read, and I plan in my next several posts, to explain how this book relates to my study of character. Eric Metaxas’ insightful tome can be read on several levels: as biography, as history, or as theology. It seems to me that the values instilled by Bonhoeffer’s mother, his elite upbringing, and his excellent education enabled him—in fact, compelled him– to confront the evils of National Socialism. However, it was the author’s analysis of Bonhoeffer’s theological underpinnings and attention to ethics that captivated me the most.
Metaxas cites the ancient Greek poet Archilochus, who famously declared that “the fox knows many little things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” The ”one big thought” that truck me most vividly taken from twentieth century Christian hero’s Letters and Papers from Prison…
” Who stands fast? Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedient and responsible action in faith and in exclusive allegiance to God — the responsible man, who tries to make his whole life an answer to the question and call of God. Where are these responsible people?”
Thinking of whether I am a “responsible man” and listening to the call of discipleship in Christ is a fine way to begin the New Year. Thank you Eric Metaxas for your masterful work.