Bonhoeffer

Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

By: Eric Metaxas, Timothy Keller

Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner, Eric Metaxas

Length: 23 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's 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, known as much for such spiritual classics as The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together as for his 1945 execution in a concentration camp for his part in the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

In the first major biography of Bonhoeffer in 40 years, New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas takes both strands of Bonhoeffer's life - the theologian and the spy - to tell a searing story of incredible moral courage in the face of monstrous evil. In a deeply moving narrative, Metaxas uses previously unavailable documents - including personal letters, detailed journal entries, and firsthand personal accounts - to reveal dimensions of Bonhoeffer's life and theology never before seen.

In Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, Metaxas presents the fullest accounting of Bonhoeffer's heart-wrenching 1939 decision to leave the safe haven of America for Hitler's Germany, and using extended excerpts from love letters and coded messages written to and from Bonhoeffer's Cell 92, Metaxas tells for the first time the full story of Bonhoeffer's passionate and tragic romance.

Listeners will discover fresh insights and revelations about his life-changing months at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and about his radical position on why Christians are obliged to stand up for the Jews. Metaxas also sheds new light on Bonhoeffer's reaction to Kristallnacht and his involvement in the famous Valkyrie plot and in "Operation 7", the effort to smuggle Jews into neutral Switzerland.

Bonhoeffer gives witness to one man's extraordinary faith and to the tortured fate of the nation he sought to deliver from the curse of Nazism. It brings the listener face to face with a man determined to do the will of God radically, courageously, and joyfully - even to the point of death. Bonhoeffer is the story of a life framed by a passion for truth and a commitment to justice on behalf of those who face implacable evil.

"Insightful and illuminating, this tome makes a powerful contribution to biography, history and theology." (Publishers Weekly)

"[A] massive and masterful new biography." (Christianity Today)

"Metaxas tells Bonhoeffer's story with passion and theological sophistication." (Wall Street Journal)

"Metaxas magnificently captures the life of theologian and anti-Nazi activist Dietrich Bonhoeffer.... A definitive Bonhoeffer biography for the 21st Century." (Kirkus)

©2011 Eric Metaxas, Timothy Keller (P)2020 Thomas Nelson

Mandatory Reading

This is hands down one of the best biographies ever written of a preacher. It is an encouragement to the believer and the historical accuracy woven throughout is a major plus for history buffs. In addition Mr. Metaxas does a phenomenal job in pointing out Bonhoeffer's dilemma with the church and the failings of church leadership to lay hold of the bible to and grasp the truths therein as their very lives depended on it. Honest in his approach to Bonhoeffer, the author doesn't exalt the man higher than he should be, nor does he approach him with disdain. In truth, I believe this book should not only be read, but studied by layman and preacher alike. So in my opinion, yes get this book!

Awesome book!

What an amazing book! Great author! He took me back into Germany from the 20 to 40’s. Every detail was so vivid.

Important Work

We’ll organized, presented, and written work about a remarkable figure in German and world history.

We know not what to do, but our eyes are on You.

“Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin and more about courageously and actively trying to do Gods will”

Such a convicting book about actively living out one’s faith. Learning that cheap grace also includes just building up your theological knowledge and not actively living as a Christian was insanely convicting.

All around, I highly recommend this book. It is has been very impactful to me. And the story itself is never boring for such a long book.

A great life lived, a masterful telling thereof

This book inspires me all the more to live my own Christian life fully devoted to the Lord. There is so much to learn from Bonhoeffer‘s life, and Eric Mataxas has captured it fully and accurately. We learn about the evil that human hearts are capable of. And we also learn of the great good.

For Christians only. Walking on hallowed ground.

A journey that formed and shaped my already Christian faith. No one can truely follow Jesus without counting the cost and obeying His call.

Wow...what a life.

This book was amazing. I have the physical copy in storage, but decided to listen to the book. There were so many moments I had to stop and think about what was just said or take some time to process his choices in life in comparison with my own. And, at the same time, I saw many of my family characteristics in his story as well--which was beautiful, as I wonder what parts of myself are cultural/stereotypical of German people, Lutheran people, etc.
The book was very thorough and well-written and I would gladly listen to another by this author.

An incredible account of a remarkable man

What an incredible walkthrough of someone wildly influential in theology. To learn and understand Bonhoeffer’s beliefs, actions, and being by actual accounts from himself and his peers truly shapes an incredible view to what it was like during this dark time in Germany. Metaxas does a wonderful job detailing the life of Bonhoeffer and carefully allowing his work to be vividly imagined by the reader to the point that Bonhoeffer’s impact cannot be ignored.

The Gain of Discipleship

Metaxas tells the amazing and well researched story of Bonhoeffer and the Spirit of Jesus at work in his life. Bonhoeffer was transformed body and soul, little by little into a man who was at peace even in the hands of his executioner. What sort of power produces such security?

Supernatural, moving, humbling.

The story is so powerful and humbling. My life is reorienting around obedience in powerful ways because of the content and weighty insights shared herein. Highly recommend.