Book Review: Bonhoeffer Abridged: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by by Eric Metaxas and Timothy Keller

Growing up in a Lutheran household in Germany, I became familiar with the person of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. early on and have admired his strength of character for a long time. I was therefore happy to find this book that shows in abbreviated form just how unique this man was and how much of an example he can still set for every Christian today.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was not an easy person. He was certainly a Christian and a Lutheran, but did not fit into mainstream thinking and maybe that is the reason I admire him so much. He stands for a religion and a church that is not agreeing on everything and speaking with one voice on every issue that is relevant today, but for a church that favors unique and individual thinking to challenge existing ideas and seek out through discussion and arguments what it best for the role of the Church. Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an individual did what he thought was right and in the process of offended people, not just the ruling Nazis.

Of course he is famous for his opposition to the ruling Nazi party and his death in the concentration camp - never yielding until the end. For this aspect of the book, this abridged version is a good introduction to the life and death, but also the beliefs of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. If you are familiar with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this book may not be in depth enough for you to spark additional interest. But for someone familiar mostly with the military or historical aspects of WW2 and interested in learning more about the resistance to Hitler or the role of the church, this abridged version of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life is a good introduction to a complex part of German history as shown through the life and work of an equally complex character.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed in this review is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.