Bonhoeffer s doctoral dissertation sets out the theology of sociality that informed all his work, engaging social philosophy and. Since his death, and especially in the last two decades, dietrich bonhoeffer. The ardent atheist or devoted relativist might view the decline in north american church attendance as signaling the death of christian religious fever. Each of the four sessions in this study is designed to be completed in 90 minutes. Bonhoeffer and britain 2006 dietrich bonhoeffer works, volume, london 19331935 edited, 2007 the spck introduction to bonhoeffer 2010 the moot papers. Aug 01, 2009 recently i decided to make my way through bonhoeffer s collected works in order. If the deed is to have become a force, then the world itself will long to confess the word. Recently i decided to make my way through bonhoeffers collected works in order. His best friend, eberhard bethge, spent the remainder of his long life documenting and commenting on bonhoeffers ideas and theology. A theological study of the sociology of the church was dietrich bonhoeffers dissertation, completed in 1927 and first published in 1930. Ballard, bonhoeffer on providence in history, scottish journal of theology 27 1974. The atheist or relativist who measures success in numbers would politely suggest that we are witnessing the secularization of america, similar to trends in western europe as church attendance declines.
Faith, freedom and society 19381944 edited, 2010 ecumenical dynamic. The communion of saints thesis by bonhoeffer britannica. Books by dietrich bonhoeffer author of the cost of discipleship. The classic study of dietrich bonhoeffers social thought, now expanded with neverbeforepublished bonhoeffer letters. Bonhoeffers doctoral dissertation sets out the theology of sociality that informed all his work, engaging social philosophy and sociology to interpret the church as christ existing as. Here are brief introductions to bonhoeffers books, including many that deserve to be more widely known. Borg, john dominic crossan, oct, 2009, religion, 272 pages. The christology of dietrich bonhoeffer 5 view jesus only as a historical figure of the past whose influence somehow affects us. Sanctorum communio, bonhoeffers doctoral dissertation completed in 1927. A dogmatic inquiry into the sociology of the church, 1963, dietrich bonhoeffer, collins, 1963.
Bonhoeffers response to the godofthegaps, journal of the evangelical theological society 14. Sanctorum communio by dietrich bonhoeffer and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Dietrich bonhoeffer biography and list of works dietrich bonhoeffer books. Although far from uncontroversial, it is also clear that bonhoeffers involvement in the german resistance has. The communion of saints and dietrich bonhoeffers life. If you have only one hour for your meeting, you will need to choose fewer questions for your discussion. A theological study of the sociology of the church. Along with enlightening us about his early positions on sin, evil, solidarity, collective spirit, and collective guilt, the volume unfolds a systematic theology of the. This is not the same as loudly shrieking out propaganda. Here are over 200 documents that include extensive correspondence with his family and eberhard bethge much of it in english for the first time, as well as his.
Here are the roots of his commitment to the confessing church and the resistance movement. Sanctorum communio was bonhoeffer s dissertation, completed in 1927 and first published in 1930. Bonhoeffer was born on february 6, 1906, in breslau, germany. The topic,bonhoeffer and the jews, figures prominently in these. The work, available in this series for the first time in its entirety in english, includes all material omitted from the original 1930 german publication. Apart from his theological writings, bonhoeffer became known for his staunch resistance to the nazi dictatorship. Your may also opt to devote two meetings rather than one to each session.
Revival of church life always brings in its train a richer understanding of the scriptures. Bonhoeffer s dissertation, sanctorum communio or the communion of the saints, was published several years later in 1930. Martys biography of letters and papers from prison is timely, for though we seldom encounter the kind of blatant poaching of bonhoeffer s statements that occurred in the 1950s and 60s, the fragmentary character of the prison correspondence still invites individuals from a wide variety of ideological positions to conscript his last theological. Although a large portion of the original preface was edited out by bonhoeffer prior to publication, newer critical editions include bonhoeffer s original preface. Bonhoeffer, a lutheran pastor and theologian, took part in the plots being planned by members of the abwehr military intelligence office to assassinate hitler. Dietrich bonhoeffers ecumenical quest world council of.
Over against this, bonhoeffer insists that only the risen one makes possible the presence of the living person and thus provides the necessary condition for christology 45. This word must be preserved as the most sacred possession of the community. May 04, 2012 this paper will focus on bonhoeffers thinking set forth in the following books. Dietrich bonhoeffers political theology conrad grebel. Sanctorum communio was bonhoeffers dissertation, completed in 1927 and first published in 1930. Sanctorum communio by dietrich bonhoeffer overdrive. Dietrich bonhoeffers letters and papers from prison, by. Widely acclaimed as the best study of dietrich bonhoeffer s early social theology, clifford greens bonhoeffer is here fully updated and expanded with new material not available anywhere else. Recently i decided to make my way through bonhoeffer s collected works in order. A theological study of the sociology of the church was dietrich bonhoeffer s dissertation, completed in 1927 and first published in 1930. Other articles where the communion of saints is discussed.
Along with enlightening us about his early positions on sin, evil, solidarity, collective spirit, and collective guilt, the volume unfolds a systematic theology of the spirit at work in the. Act and being, in which he traces the influence of transcendental philosophy and ontologyas. Dietrich bonhoeffer works, volume 1 sanctorum communio. Dietrich bonhoeffer was one of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century. A dogmatic inquiry into the sociology of the church the first christmas, marcus j. In this, his first published work, bonhoeffer lays the rich and complex foundation for much if not all of his future work. Based on careful reconstruction of the manuscripts, freshly and expertly translated and annotated, this new critical edition features an insightful introduction by clifford green and an afterword from the german editions editors. Scripture and myth in dietrich bonhoeffer 1937 and life together 1939, are favorite books in evangelical circles. Dietrich bonhoeffer february 4, 1906 april 9, 1945 was a german religious leader and participant in the resistance movement against nazism. Palmer, the christology of dietrich bonhoeffer, evangelical quarterly 49. The fragments that were bonhoeffers life and work the primary confession of the christian before the world is the deed which interprets itself.
Since his death, volumes have been written about bonhoeffer the latest a new biography by eric metaxas. Bonhoeffer author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Widely acclaimed as the best study of dietrich bonhoeffers early social theology, clifford greens bonhoeffer is here fully updated and expanded with new material not available anywhere else. Dietrich bonhoeffers most popular book is dietrich bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer and the new monasticism discipline of music. A dogmatic inquiry into the sociology of the church. This splendid volume, in many ways the capstone of the dietrich bonhoeffer works, is the first unabridged collection of bonhoeffers 19431945 prison letters and theological writings. I think he was executed for treason by the nazis, along with others in the same movement, and the lutheran church, of which he was a member, considers him a saint.
A seminal bonhoeffer treatise that exposes his radical vision for the church. The crown jewel of bonhoeffer s body of work, ethics is the culmination of his theological and personal odyssey. A theological study of the sociology of the church, available for the first time in its entirety in english, includes all material omitted from the original 1930 german publication. His writings on christianitys role in the secular world have become widely influential, and his book the cost of discipleship has been described as a modern classic. Books by dietrich bonhoeffer author of the cost of.
Dietrich bonhoeffer reading room tyndale university. Bonhoeffer was a pastor, theologian, and leader of nonviolent opposition to the nazis. A theological study of the sociology of the church mn. The classic study of dietrich bonhoeffer s social thought, now expanded with neverbeforepublished bonhoeffer letters. Bonhoeffers doctoral dissertation sets out the theology of sociality that informed all his work, engaging social philosophy and sociology to interpret the church as christ existing. Here are the roots of his commitment to the confessing church and the. The cost of discipleship revised edition by dietrich. Some of his other books, especially his ethics, written by him in prison, are published in english, and others will appear before long.
The crown jewel of bonhoeffers body of work, ethics is the culmination of his theological and personal odyssey. Bonhoeffer was a man who understood and truly lived a costly discipleship. The communion of saints 1927 his first two works, both academic dissertations, lay the. Dietrich bonhoeffer biography dietrich bonhoeffer february 4, 1906 april 9, 1945 was a german religious leader and participant in the resistance movement against nazism. He left the safety of america to return to germany and continue his public repudiation of the nazis, which led to his arrest in 1943. Sanctorum communio, bonhoeffer s doctoral dissertation completed in 1927. This paper will focus on bonhoeffers thinking set forth in the following books. In it he attempts to work out a theology of the person in society, and then, particularly, in the church. Dietrich bonhoeffer works augsburg fortress press vol. Now in an affordable paper edition, sanctorum communio is more readily usable for teaching and scholarship. The communion of saints 1927 his first two works, both academic dissertations, lay. Bonhoeffer s first published work i believe that is correct was his theological dissertation named sanctorum communion, it was a blend of sociology and theology addressing the church.
In this chapter bonhoeffer deals with two overarching themes. What we discern in bonhoeffers writings, confirmed in a remarkable way by his life and death, is an authentic witness to jesus christ in relation to the situations in which he found himself. Hislife togetheranddiscipleshipare considered to be spiritual classics, and few theological works have made as much of an impact asletters and papers from prisonupon publication. Dietrich bonhoeffer books biography and list of works. He was a theologian, pastor, spiritual writer, and one of the key figures in the. Martys biography of letters and papers from prison is timely, for though we seldom encounter the kind of blatant poaching of bonhoeffers statements that occurred in the 1950s and 60s, the fragmentary character of the prison correspondence still invites individuals from a wide variety of ideological positions to conscript his last theological. This minidissertation represents a critical reading and interpretation of key bonhoeffer texts, including sanctorum communio, discipleship and life together.
He was deeply religious and this led him to work in opposition to national socialist injustices. Behind all the slogans and catchwords of ecclesiastical controversy, necessary though they are, there arises a more determined quest for him who is the sole object of it all, for jesus christ himself. Act and being, in which he traces the influence of transcendental philosophy and ontologyas well as. Including all the material that was omitted in the original 1930 german publication, bonheoffers doctoral dissertation engages social philosophy and sociology to interpret the church as christ existing as churchcommunity. Dietrich bonhoeffer has 176 books on goodreads with 168722 ratings.