The Bonhoeffer Reader

by Clifford J. Green (Editor), Michael P. Dejonge

For the first time, a representative collection of all Bonhoeffer's theological works is available in a single volume, edited by Bonhoeffer scholars Clifford J. Green and Michael P. DeJonge. The Bonhoeffer Reader follows on the heels of the newly completed 16-volume Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works English Edition (DBWE), a major 25-year translation project supported by the International Bonhoeffer Society and published by Fortress Press. From this massive collection of books, lectures, articles, letters and sermons, about 800 pages of all Bonhoeffer's key theological writing have been chosen to reveal his central theological ideas and their development. The Reader is formatted so that students can easily go back to the original DBWE volumes and all the additional resources included in them, making it easier than ever to pursue a more comprehensive study of Bonhoeffer's brilliant theological career.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Theology, Ebooks

832 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Summer Fernandez Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer have probably come up in my personal reading at least a dozen times in the last year, so I googled him and was surprised, given my youthful interest in people who fought against Nazism, that I had never before heard of this theologian martyr who died dramatically opposing Hitler's regime. Now, having read a tiny sampling of his work, I am no longer surprised. My secular education would never have exposed me to someone this religious and my religious education focuses primarily on scripture and doesn't leave a lot of time for an author this prolific.

This book was deep and dense, definitely not a beach read. (and to be honest, I only read the chapters that interested me. For example, I don't really care about mid-century Presbyterian church politics but I am deeply interested in discipleship and ethics in the face of difficulty) But they were deep and dense in a fascinating, soul restoring, intriguing way-like the ocean.

I checked this out from the library, but it is now in my Amazon cart so I can underline a personal copy to my hearts content and refer back to it often. The editorial introductions at the beginning of each chapter alone make it worth the price.

[Michael Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A healthy sampling of Bonhoeffer’s writings. The editors of the 16-volume DBWE did a fantastic job linking the volumes. So this reader has a neat citation format that shows readers where to find expanded versions of his works.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely readable meaning it flowed well and its introductions aided in the reading. I still fantasize I’ll read his complete works but to have read this whole book will probably suffice. It helped I read it for a class but it was good.

[Nate Rubright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing for context on Bonhoeffer. The Letters are good, the Ethics are better

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely got more "bang for my buck" by purchasing this from Amazon for $8. Most of his more well known works are here and a good variety besides. The translations are new and I recommend it without reservation.