Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series) [Paperback]

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Author), Robert Coles (Compiler, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - theologian, pastor, martyr - is one of the most significant Christian witnesses of the twentieth century. His writings challenge us to address the presence of God in the world and history. His courageous resistance against Hitler, his imprisonment and execution dramatize "the cost of discipleship." These selections, with a poignant introduction by Robert Coles, provide a penetrating entry to the heart of Bonhoeffer's message.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bonhoeffer and Coles . . . Deserve to be read, pondered, and cherished. --Robert McAfee Brown

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Paperback: 127 pages
• Publisher: Orbis Books; 1st edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570751943
• ISBN-13: 978-1570751943
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born in Breslau in 1906. The son of a famous German psychiatrist, he studied in Berlin and New York City. He left the safety of America to return to Germany and continue his public repudiation of the Naz*s, which led to his arrest in 1943. Linked to the group of conspirators whose attempted assassination of Hitlerr failed, he was hanged in April 1945.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bonhoeffer's general thought in an accessible format., February 25, 1999

By 

Charles A. Cooper (Jacksonville, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Modern Spirituality Series) (Paperback)

For most people Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a difficult read. This is partly because his writing assumes a philosophical style which is not comfortable to many people. It is also because his thought it so complex and so rich that most of us are overwhelmed at first. This little book does an amazing job of extracting and encapsulating Bonhoeffer's principle ideas into representative snippets that beg for meditation and further reflection. In many cases the reader will also find here an impetus to seek out the more complete writings, which are carefully indexed at the back of the book. I can think of no better starting place for any lay person wishing to become aquainted with Bonhoeffer's overall thought for the first time.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant thoughts from a witness who stood up, January 18, 2001

By 

A. Hogan (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series) (Paperback)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a martyr,saint theologian, writer and witness. His writings, from which these exerpts have been gleaned, can be dense filled with obtuse terminology,and somewaht dry. These exerpts are clear, straightfoward, and life affirmimng[as all good theology should be]Bonhoeffer has become celebrated for his concept,developing during his final days, of a churchless Christianity. That controversy is not going to bed quite yet, though I think it ignores the basic fact that He was a practising churchman, very involved in the scarements and in developing future pastors at Finkenwalde...Either way, this is an excellent introduction to Bonhoeffer, from Coles introduction to the exerpts of all his major works{Life together,Ethics, Christ the Center, The Cost of Discipleship and Letters and papers from prison} this is the best introduction to the seminal churman of his time, and one of the greatest men of the past century.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Introduction, June 14, 2001

By 

Jim Street (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series) (Paperback)

I am constantly amazed at the number of Christians I meet who have never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This little book could go a long way toward remedying that situation. Although much of Bonhoeffer's work is difficult to understand, this helpful little volume selects from the among the best and clearest of his writings. In a day when so many Christians are happy to limit their reading to only the lightest of reads, this little book could do a lot to help them to the so-called "next level." The book would be a great volume for discussion groups interested in exploring Bonhoeffer's thought.