Dietrich Bonhoeffer and a Theology of the Exception

by Kevin O’Farrell, Jennifer McBride (Series Editor), Michael Mawson (Series Editor)

Engaging with the many debates about the meaning and character of Bonhoeffer's late resistance theology and action, particularly as it relates to his participation in the attempted coup d'état against Hitler, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and a Theology of the Exception attends to Bonhoeffer's understanding of the exception. Resisting the common reduction of the exception to a political or ethical concept, O'Farrell argues that the exception for Bonhoeffer is an extraordinary moment in history that disarms persons, impinging on one's understanding of politics and ethics.

Through a wide engagement with the Bonhoeffer corpus, this book claims that this leads to distinctive narrations of key concepts in Bonhoeffer's responsibility, the free venture, simple obedience, and action beyond the law. It also offers a different portrait of Bonhoeffer to contemporary narrations. The Bonhoeffer that emerges is neither a Niebuhrian realist, a pacifist, or a religious fanatic, but one who is impelled to act apart from the law without this action becoming arbitrary. This Bonhoeffer provides a hopeful political witness that seeks a world beyond the conflicts and divisions of this age.

196 pages, Hardcover

Published December 28, 2023

Reviews

[Corey]

Someone needed to write this book and I’m glad he did. Especially loved the stuff on Kierkegaard.

[Cody Bivins-Starr]

Review in Studies in Christian Ethics forthcoming. Stellar and incredibly complex work from a dear friend.