The Myth of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Is His Theology Evangelical?

by Richard Weikart

In this arresting new study of Bonhoeffer as a theologian and as an activist, Weikart carefully and persuasively argues that Bonhoeffer's postwar reputation as an anti-Nazi martyr has subsumed aspects of his religious and cultural beliefs and praxis to the detriment of both.

Genres: Theology

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Dr. Weikart is Professor of History at California State University, Stanislaus, and Fellow at the Center for Science and Culture of Discovery Institute, Seattle.

He completed his Ph.D. in modern European history at the University of Iowa in 1994, receiving the biennial prize of the Forum for History of Human Sciences for the best dissertation in that field. His revised dissertation, Socialist Darwinism: Evolution in German Socialist Thought from Marx to Bernstein, was published in 1999.

His book, From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics, and Racism in Germany, documents the influence of naturalistic evolution on ethical thought, euthanasia, militarism, and racism—and ultimately Hitler's ideology.

With an extensive background in modern German and modern European intellectual history, he has published articles in journals such as Isis, Journal of the History of Ideas, German Studies Review, History of European Ideas, European Legacy, and Fides et Historia. One such article received the Selma V. Forkosch Prize for the best article in 1993 in the Journal of the History of Ideas.

Articles by Richard Weikart

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting read, rather heady but does well in its arguments regarding the subject (using Bonhoeffer’s writing throughout as examples, with endnotes and a bibliography too). Definitely would recommend as reading alongside Metaxas’ biographical writings.