Dietrich Bonhoeffer: In the Midst of Wickedness

Christian Heroes: Then & Now #39

by Janet Benge

Born into a loving family, Dietrich Bonhoeffer pursued a life as a pastor, teacher, theologian - and spy. He spoke out about the trouble in Germany when Adolph Hitler came to power, urging the Christian church to rescue disparaged people groups and resist Hitler’s evil empire.

Accused of being a troublemaker, Dietrich continued on fearlessly in the midst of wickedness. His work as a spy in the German resistance and participation in a plot to assassinate Hitler led to imprisonment and eventual execution. But the lesson of his life story “Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act” (1906-1945).

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Christian, History, Faith, Religion, Audiobook

208 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2012

About the author

Janet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.

Reviews

[Allyson Jamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great reminder to stand up for what you believe in despite the consequences! Not enough people do that.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any kind of war story, always gets me. I was able to experience Dietrich's life as he grew up during World War 1 and died in it. Very cool seeing how he was involved in Hitler assassination attempts, freeing of some Jews, etc. The only reason it has 2 stars is because I didn't feel like it was as heavily immersed in Christian principles, it was extremely vague about his Christian life other than the fact that he went into theology and became a pastor. There was very little Christian references which was disappointing.

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written story about this Christian paster and lecturer. He received his doctorate from the University of Berlin. He was a boy in Germany during WWI. He witnessed the loss of food supplies during the war because of a British blockade. After the war, Germany was suffering because of the war reparations they agreed to make to the allies. And then the stock market crashed and US loans to Germany stopped. He watched as the NAZI party grew to power through the 1930s. He watched Hitler persecution of the Jews from the work force. Then as WWII started, it felt like WWI all over again. He worked for Germany intelligence and passed information to the Allies. He was also linked to a plot to assassinate Hitler. Although he had a one sided midnight trial, Hitler ordered that he not survive the war. He was executed in April 1945 just weeks before Hitler would commit suicide. His body was burned.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook, and the German accent scattered throughout kind of annoyed me, but the content was all wonderful and convicting.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, but not my favorite in this series. Felt bogged down in the worldwide politics and not much about Bonhoeffer's actual faith, conversion, etc. The gospel and Jesus seemed surprisingly absent.

Having read biographies of Bonhoeffer written for adults, I know there is so much more that children can glean from his story than was presented here.

Okay. But not great.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great introduction to the life of Bonhoeffer. I read this to my kids ages 8 & 11. A lot of very difficult subjects were discussed in this book, but they weren’t too graphic or hard for my kids to understand. I did not edit as I read.

[Jessi Schwind · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief overview of the life of Bonhoeffer that was refreshing and encouraging. We live in a culture that believes they are being brave by calling someone Hitler on Twitter. Dietrich was a Christian who had the courage to stand against the actual Hitler and lost his life because of it.

[Noel Hume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, but inspiring. Opened my eyes to the evil of Hitler and the Nazi Regime.

[Jewelie Casteel · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the life of an honorable Christian man during a time of great tragedy and chaos. His story should inspire devotion and courage among any born again believer.

[Angela Blount · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this knowing only that Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a WW2-era Christian theologian who somehow participated in a plot to assassinate Hitler. (A plot which I had only heard of a few years ago, as it was never noted in my high school history class.) And plot for which he and others were executed shortly before the end of said war.

Here, Janet Benge gives us the man's biography in the context of historical events--using known records and saved letters between Bonhoeffer family members as a scaffolding. She begins with Dietrich's early life prior to WW1, and lays out numerous causalities between the First World War and the Second--primarily in how the German people were treated after the first war paved the way for Hitler's rise to power two decades later (an aspect I was also not taught.) For that alone, this is a worthwhile read.

You know going into this that it ends badly for our would-be hero. Which isn't so much a spoiler as a source of impending and inevitable dread. We know what will happen, just not precisely when.

The word choices and sentence structures are fairly basic--aimed at a YA readership, without sounding too juvenile. And there is some needless repetition earlier on in the book that makes it feel like it could have used another content-editing pass. But overall, I'd recommend it. Particularly for anyone who wants an overview without too hefty a time commitment.

[Summer Cromartie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these YA versions of Christian hero biographies! Even though they're for young people, this one still made me really queasy because of all the atrocities from WWII.

I gotta say though, while Bonhoeffer was an amazing leader, Christian, pastor, and theologian, I personally think it was wrong for them to plot to kill Hitler. Lots of things in the Bible lead me to disagree with his choices, but that's only my opinion. Also, I find the title of martyr to be a misfit since he didn't die because of his faith in Christ so much as actual treason.

In spite of those unpopular opinions, I really enjoyed hearing about his ministry and journeys to other parts of Europe and also to the United States. It was wild to watch him react to America's racism and then see it happen in his own home country.

I prefer him to be praised as a bold preacher, professor, leader, and theologian than an insurrectionist.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard bits and pieces of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's story, but this was the first full book on him that I've read. Based on other things I've listened to, I can tell that this account is more generic/simple and lacking some details. But it was suitable for my purposes; a quick and yet complete overview of Bonhoeffer's life. Covering his childhood, his experiences during and following World War I, how he became a pastor and what formed his thinking, followed by his interntional affairs and aid in the German assassination attempts on Hitler, and culminating in his imprisonment and ultimately death by hanging.

[Andy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good narration. Bonhoeffer is a great story to read especially knowing the context of his time.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short book about the heroic Christian pastor, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, who lived in Germany during the horrific Nazi reign of terror.

[Raven Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so GREAT! Bonhoeffer is one of my all time heroes!

[Amelia Veldman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like it was a good story just poorly written. his life was incredible and could've been made into a much better book.

[Shelby Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys and I enjoyed reading this together. It was inspiring to learn of Deitrichs bravery and faith.

[Lauren Acosta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Tiffany]

I like Bonhoeffer's story. This particular book was heavy on his childhood/ early years. We didn't care for it as much as some of the other Christian Heroes: Then and Now we've read.

[Bryan Eberl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been a while since I’ve read one of these books. Great simple way to read up on hero’s of the faith and their stories.

[Jordan Swails]

Obviously deep subject matter that is over the kids’ heads for now, but this one led to several conversations about faithfulness, love and, ultimately, sin — for that, I’m grateful.

[Lauren Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I honestly didn't know much about Dietrich Bonheoffer, and this was a very quick overview. Felt like some really cool parts especially early in the war had to be rushed for them to get his whole life in a short book.

[Carrie Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m hooked on this series now. So well written, ties in historical events with more personal details than a text book, and always so inspirational.

[Megan Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

The parallels between the rise of the Nazi party in Germany and the current state of the US are beyond eerie. It is faithful individuals like Bonhoeffer that give me hope for humanity.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! We learned a lot about German history from this book, and how Hitler duped people into loving him. The parallels of what is going on in America right now is scary.

[JD' · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the 10 commandments say, "Thou shall not kill."
Should Christians tolerate killing of any kind?
Or what about assassination?
In the Bible Ehud, is a left handed assassin who kills the fat king of Moab, Eglon. Moses killed a man and David went on a killing spree.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, becomes a theologian of Christianity in Germany in a time that produced Adolf Hitler, the most evil human being in the 20th century and thus Bonhoeffer becomes a spy to assassinate Hitler who was killing millions upon millions of innocent people.
I personally don't believe we have the right to kill and assassinate anyone. By reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I realize that I am personally against killing of all kind. I think Storm Troopers are humane by using stun guns. But then I read about the Jan 6th and the whole "riot" thing is a circus and stun guns should be encouraged, but the media just vilanizes everyone on the right. The media coverage in America is a joke as there is no media in things that truly matter like family court corruption and trafficking of children. I feel like Dietrich Bonhoeffer would be involved today in the Jan "insurrection."
I think the democrats are a total joke for having too much media coverage on Jan 6th. And I'm not really into the Republicans for going all out to protest on Jan 6th. The whole thing is a joke and I admire the Babylon Bee for speaking out on satire about the absurdity of it. when you read about WW2 and Hitler, assassination attempts and concentration camps, the whole time in rooting for Bonhoeffer... to stay in America and get out of Germany. Don't get caught up in the affairs of the time. We have no control. Instead give the control to God and let it go and let it happen.

[Benedict Vitai]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An inspiring story of a man who stood up for what was right when many around him chose to remain silent.

It gave me a human picture of Bonhoeffer that I hadn't seen before, having before this only read part of Bonhoeffer's book Nachfolge ("The Cost of Discipleship").

It encouraged me to discover that there were many points in Bonhoeffer's life when he didn't know which way to turn. A particularly moving chapter in his life was his decision to return to his homeland of Germany right as the second world war and all of its horrors were unfolding, after having just arrived in New York City to a comfortable lecturing position at a prestigious seminary.

This book also puts to rest any speculation as to Bonhoeffer's sexuality, providing a moving description of his courtship and subsequent engagement with Maria von Wedemeyer.

A life lived in service of the truth.

I was recently brought to tears watching the Mothers' Day episode of Songs of Praise, as a British lady of Caribbean heritage spoke of her mother, a pentecostal minister who devoted her life to the poor and needy. She told us that her mother had a saying which she would often repeat: "At the end of my life, the only thing that will matter is what I did for Christ."

When I look at Bonhoeffer's life, I see an example of another person who came to know Jesus Christ, and was filled by the love that Christ brings, and devoted his life to serve his saviour.

May we see a revival of this Christian spirit in our nation and in the hearts of young people in particular.

God bless.

[ReadingMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Sunday during the sermon, my pastor mentioned the life of Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his brave resistance against the Nazi and attempt for assassination of Hitler which led to 2 years of imprisonment and eventual execution. I have wondered how Germany so quickly fell into the scheme of Hitler’s dark regime and Nazi's incredulous murderous actions, following like mindless drones. Well, the truth is Nazi did not take the power without resistance. There were people awakened and resisted; yet sadly the majority of them were killed.

“Not to speak is to speak and not to act is to act.” Pastor and theologian Bonhoeffer set a great example of how Christian should act during the time of uprisings of dark power. Many comes in the name of Christianity, like so many German Christians during the WWII actually was on the side of Nazi. So many crimes have been conducted under the name of God… (Lord forgive us….) The Bible that I know teaches us faith with action; and we, the Christ followers, must exhibit actions that support our belief systems and conscientiousness. Having survived the past several years in this nation, I am so aware of what is at stake and what can happen, if we are not awakened. As Bonhoeffer resisted Hitler’s evil empire, we, the Christ followers, must pursue the truth and justice. Lord help me and give me the strength to do the right thing when it is required of me.

[Katherine Basto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This young adult biography on the life and times of German pastor, teacher and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was well-written and interesting. The authors weave Dietrich's idyllic early life before World War I and the advent of World War II. Dietrich, whose father was a psychiatrist and his mother who came from a long line of theologians and pastors contributed to who he became, a true man of God. Included are his travels to parts of the world and the people he met along the way.
The authors have an excellent way of writing the overall history of the second world war within the story, without sounding too pedantic. The map of Europe and the places Dietrich lived and traveled to was a helpful visual. I learned more about WWII(than in some history books) and want to know even more of the life of the brave Bonhoeffer.

[Ariel Paiement · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great listen. Very sad that this man's life ended before WWII ended. I learned a great deal from this, and it is alarming to me that many of the same trends that allowed Hitler's rise to power (similar trends to those that allowed Stalin's rise in Russia) are occurring in America today in our political arena, just as they did back then in post WWI Germany. God help us all if we head down the same path as either Russia or Germany at those times! A serious wakeup call, and I feel every American Christian ought to either read or listen to this biography. If we do not learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat it.