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Bonhoeffer and King: Speaking Truth to Power
A study of two of the most significant prophetic leaders in the twentieth century, J. Deotis Roberts's Bonhoeffer and King is an instructive work in theological ethics. This book considers and compares the theological reflections that guided Bonhoeffer's courageous stand against Nazism and King's quest for civil rights in America.
176 pages, Paperback
First published December 22, 2004
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About the author
J. Deotis Roberts
22 books6 followersJ. Deotis Roberts was the fourth president of the Interdenominational Theological Center. Born July 12, 1927 in Spindale, North Carolina, he earned a Ph.D. in Philosophical Theology in 1957 and later received a Doctor of Letters Degree, both from the University of Edinburgh. Roberts also received degrees from Johnson C. Smith University (Bachelor of Arts), Shaw University Divinity School (Bachelor of Divinity), and Hartford Seminary (Master of Sacred Theology).
He was a pioneer of Black theological discourse in the late 1960’s known as the Black Theology movement, whose most notable public figure is James Cone. As a highly respected and first generation African American theologian, Roberts offered a critical response to the early works of James Cone, particularly Cone’s Black Theology and Black Power.
In addition to this work, Roberts has taught at several universities, training generations of scholars at educational institutions around the world including Howard University, Yale University, Duke University, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Buenos Aires. Outside his role as ITC President, Roberts has held different administrative posts, most notably as the first and only Black president of the American Theological Society, also being one of its earliest African American members. J. Deotis Roberts has published numerous books and articles, including The Prophethood of Black Believers: An African American Political Theology for Ministry, Black Theology in Dialogue, and Liberation and Reconciliation: A Black Theology, and A Black Political Theology. He served as the president of the Interdenominational Theological Center from 1980-1983.
He was a pioneer of Black theological discourse in the late 1960’s known as the Black Theology movement, whose most notable public figure is James Cone. As a highly respected and first generation African American theologian, Roberts offered a critical response to the early works of James Cone, particularly Cone’s Black Theology and Black Power.
In addition to this work, Roberts has taught at several universities, training generations of scholars at educational institutions around the world including Howard University, Yale University, Duke University, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Buenos Aires. Outside his role as ITC President, Roberts has held different administrative posts, most notably as the first and only Black president of the American Theological Society, also being one of its earliest African American members. J. Deotis Roberts has published numerous books and articles, including The Prophethood of Black Believers: An African American Political Theology for Ministry, Black Theology in Dialogue, and Liberation and Reconciliation: A Black Theology, and A Black Political Theology. He served as the president of the Interdenominational Theological Center from 1980-1983.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 12, 2017
A really helpful introduction to both the biographies and theologies of the two men in the title. As a comparative study, it's mostly introductory, but is still a quite helpful overview. If you're looking for in-depth analysis then this probably isn't what you are looking for, but the bibliography is great.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in the contributions of Bonhoeffer and King, or anyone who is relatively unaware of the ways these men impacted social justice.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in the contributions of Bonhoeffer and King, or anyone who is relatively unaware of the ways these men impacted social justice.
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August 26, 2020Fantastic for basic thoughts of each man in comparison to each. Easy reading also.
January 31, 2021
Loved reading the life stories, influences and thought of both men. The Sermon on the Mount was formative for both men and impacted how they viewed the Kingdom of God in the hear and now.
April 24, 2011
Roberts compares the lives and prophetic witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King. The books itself is more a monograph written as a "study," but the points made are powerful. And hopeful -- it teaches that one can choose, can decide to speak, to bear witness, to meet with evil on its own ground and to resist it. Some quotes:
re King: he became convinced that noncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good.
by King: Evil is recalcitrant and determined and never voluntarily relinquishes its hold short of persistent, almost fanatical resistance.
The individual never experiences self in total isolation. The self is not complete without communications with other persons. At our best, we are persons in community.
Evildoers are victims of evil as much as are the individuals and communities that evildoers oppress.
By King: The American people are infected with racism -- that is the peril. Paradoxically, they are also infected with democratic ideals -- that is our hope.
re King: he became convinced that noncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good.
by King: Evil is recalcitrant and determined and never voluntarily relinquishes its hold short of persistent, almost fanatical resistance.
The individual never experiences self in total isolation. The self is not complete without communications with other persons. At our best, we are persons in community.
Evildoers are victims of evil as much as are the individuals and communities that evildoers oppress.
By King: The American people are infected with racism -- that is the peril. Paradoxically, they are also infected with democratic ideals -- that is our hope.
July 24, 2014
Great introduction to liberation theology and nonviolence.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews