bonhoeffer letters and papers from prison

I kept asking myself, “HOW does he go on? How can he stand this?” And yet, he never complains. His resolve and exuberant love for the Lord is the most beautiful aspect of these letters. Often Dietrich reminds himself about the importance of worshipping God, praying to God, and doing so every single day. He was able to convert “his annoyance at the limitations of our relationship, into a hopeful and eager expectation and challenge.” Maria was allowed monthly visits.ĭietrich said of his relationship with Maria, “I believe our union can only be a sign of God’s grace and kindness, which calls us to faith.” And in regard to trusting in the future, he said, “This is where faith belongs. He once told his fiancé, Maria, that their engagement was a source of strength to him. His correspondence with family and friends obviously helps him cope with his circumstances. We readers gain a beautiful visual of why he was also known as Pastor Bonhoeffer. Fellow prisoners look up to him, many times seeking his thoughts and wisdom.

His faith never wavered.Īs time progresses, Dietrich befriends some of the prison guards as well as the inmates, often helping in the sick bay. What’s terribly convicting, yet in a positive way to grow our own faith, is Dietrich’s deep contentment and joy in spite of being imprisoned, treated unfairly, many times starved (although he said, “The mind’s hunger for discussion is much more tormenting than the body’s hunger for food.”), all the while enduring air raids, bombing, etc. There are more pearls hidden in these letters than one can count. Because Bonhoeffer references so many Scripture verses, it’s nice to look them up and figure out where he’s leading us. What’s evolved for me (you may prefer to read it differently) is I’m only reading a few of the letters each day, devotional-style. (Don’t miss the two important words in the title, “from prison.”) A mere 436 pages, we readers simply cannot rush thru’ these gems. His dear friend, Eberhard Bethge, put all of these together in book form. These letters are from Dietrich Bonhoeffer to his family and friends, along with letters in return from them, plus Dietrich’s notes on various topics such as books, types of music, favorite hymns, as well as lessons he learns and occasional poems.

Bonhoeffer letters and papers from prison