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Dietrich Bonhoeffer”s Ghost pursued him through time.

“Why”, asked the Ghost, “did one drawn to the Sermon on the Mount and to nonviolence, retaliate?”

We guess the answer:

The very enormity of Hitler’s evil. Even pacifists said, “We must fight!” Bonhoeffer offers an explanation, but Bonhoeffer knows the Ghost has more to say. Bonhoeffer himself knows more. Bonhoeffer’s religionless Christianity builds on the Sermon on the Mount. So too Bonhoeffer’s world come of age. And his famous notion of cheap grace most certainly attaches a cost to discipleship. But for doing what? There’s the rub.

Painfully, Bonhoeffer knows there is a lasting contradiction between his actions then and what he might have done if he had had the time.

So he is not surprised to hear the Ghost explain, “Evil for evil merely breeds more evil.. Jesus knows a better way; he is more canny. Negotiation is his style and parable his sword. He shakes the very props of Empire with a word. Why did he die? It was to show the power and shape of Abba’s love. To vindicate and demonstrate the truth of Abba’s Way..”

The Ghost continues. “Dietrich, it is not too late. Inspire those who come after to speak what you would have spoken. Instead of creeds, obedience. Instead of a set of beliefs, a way of life. Instead of ‘church’, a practiced faith. Instead of assent to war and its ways, a removal of the sword from Caesar and the final coming of age which is Abba’s Way.

“This way confronts but does not kill. This way puts on no airs and claims no truths. It simply acts and values Abba-like That’s all.

“You knew it then: The old way will not work. Do not allow your legacy to venerate you for the wrong thing.”

Bonhoeffer, like Hamlet, talks back. And, like the poet in Isaiah 6, says: “I am a man of unclean lips. Living in a world of unclean lips.”

The Ghost replies, “You are indeed. But Abba sets you free. Then, Dietrich, if they kill, it will be for the right. Make strait the way of Abba, Dietrich. Make it strait.”

Then on the parapet, the ghostly figure disappears. And now we hear a rising angels’ song.

Abba whose home in heaven is
Hallowed and holy is your name
Let your realm come your will be done
Till earth and heaven are the same

Give us this day our daily bread
Forgive the wrongs that we have done
As we forgive those who do wrong
Lead us not into temptation

Deliver us from evil lord
And guide us safely to your shore
Yours is the power to heal and mend
Yours is the glory ever more

Thank you for your very helpful feedback. You are correct about Bohoeffer’s example of stamina. May we all press on and live for Jesus even when there is opposition. Take care brother,

Bryan

Do You Preach on a Regular Basis?

Yes_x__ No___

Numeric Responses

The design of the blog site was: (mark one)
__1 __2 _x_3 __4 __5

Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

2. The content of the blog was: (mark one)

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3. The effectiveness of the blog was: (mark one)

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Written Responses:

4. Do you learn anything new about Dietrich Bonhoeffer?

(a) No__

(b) Yes_x_

If yes, what?

Historical details.
His attitude toward preaching
How his work can impact us today.

5. What were the strengths of this blog?

Informative, clear

6. What were the weaknesses of this blog?

Too much information

7. What would you suggest to make this blog more helpful?

Summerize with a lead in line. If someone wants more info, use a link

8. Other Comments:

Very good job

Nice blog.

I only have one comment. Turn off the “Snap” feature. As a regular blog reader and commenter I find it one of the most annoying features bloggers can use. The best blogs I read do not use it at all and for good reason. Links yes, “Snap” no.

Keep up the good work and thanks for the invitation to read and comment.

Scott

Do You Preach on a Regular Basis?

Yes__X_ No___

Numeric Responses

The design of the blog site was: (mark one)
__1 __2 __3 __4 _x_5

Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

2. The content of the blog was: (mark one)

__1 __2 __3 __4 _x_5

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3. The effectiveness of the blog was: (mark one)

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Written Responses:

4. Do you learn anything new about Dietrich Bonhoeffer?

(a) No__

(b) Yes_x_

If yes, what?
I did not know, or had forgotten, that DB came to New York and then turned around to rejoin his people, leading directly to his death. Powerful. That DB was perhaps the first to be silenced by the regime when his radio broadcast was cut off. That resistence was much earlier in the Third Reich than I realized.

5. What were the strengths of this blog?
Clear, helpful, wonderfully organized. Of benefit to preachers, students in seminary or Bible college, and lay people wanting to learn from DB.

6. What were the weaknesses of this blog?
I will send via email a few typos. I wonder if you want to go farther in the Application of chapters 5 & 6. For example, you quote Piper on the Proverb with regard to abortion…what would DB say about this today? Would he preach courageously against abortion? Would he say that the blood of millions of infants is on the hands of the church today? If in Canada, would DB preach courageously against gay marriage, even if it meant going to jail for doing so? Would he preach in the American pulpit against materialism, to people with 3 cars, two homes, and home theatres in their finished basements? And as for chapter 6, what would DB say about reaching the unreached tribes today, especially among the muslims? Would he call the church to die for the sake of Christ in taking the good news to the islamist world? to the world of HIV/AIDS sufferers?

7. What would you suggest to make this blog more helpful?
In future posts, should you choose to continue, you could have some dialogues with prominent preachers over your 6 points, preachers such as Piper, your professor Dr. Robinson, Erwin Lutzer, Warren Wiersbe, etc. Also, DB scholars. It could be really fascinating. On the point above about the application of chapter 5, for example, it would be great to read what Piper thinks about parallels between preaching against the Third Reich in Germany in 1939 and preaching against abortion in America today.

8. Other Comments:
Tremendous. Terrific. I hope to see this in print some day soon. Dr. Galloway!!! Wow, that will be something! Dr. Galloway, published author! You could then write another book on the significance of Tom Osborne’s coaching philosophy for preaching in 21st century Nebraska.

Do You Preach on a Regular Basis?

Yes X No___

Numeric Responses

1. The design of the blog site was: (mark one)

__1 __2 __3 __4 X 5

Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

2. The content of the blog was: (mark one)

__1 __2 __3 __4 X 5

Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

3. The effectiveness of the blog was: (mark one)

__1 __2 __3 __4 X 5

Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

Written Responses:

4. Do you learn anything new about Dietrich Bonhoeffer?

(a) No__

(b) Yes X

If yes, what?

* more of the history surrounding his life
* more of his teachings
* how the themes of his writings apply to contemporary issues

5. What were the strengths of this blog?

* excellent content
* the themes are well thought out in terms of accuracy and relevance

6. What were the weaknesses of this blog?

* not a weakness, but the reading is more demanding than the average blog

7. What would you suggest to make this blog more helpful?

* more bite-size posts

8. Other Comments:

Excellent job. I hope you turn this into a book one day!

Thank you your comments. I would be very interested in reading your conclusion on Bonhoeffer’s Ethics. Bryan

Do You Preach on a Regular Basis?

Yes___ (occasional pulpit supply) No___

Numeric Responses

The design of the blog site was: (mark one)
__1 __2 __3 X4 __5

Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

2. The content of the blog was: (mark one)

__1 __2 __3 X4 __5

Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

3. The effectiveness of the blog was: (mark one)

__1 __2 X3 __4 __5

Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

Written Responses:

4. Do you learn anything new about Dietrich Bonhoeffer?

(a) NoX

(b) Yes__

If yes, what?

5. What were the strengths of this blog?

I’m interested in your ideas on the influence Bonhoeffer has had and may have upon preaching in the 21st American church. I’m doing PhD studies at Concordia Sem in Practical Theology. I’m exploring how Bonhoeffer’s Ethics may help to inform the intersection of theology and law arising in debates over contemporary moral issues involving questions of human life and death (e.g. abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, just war)

6. What were the weaknesses of this blog?

There is such a wealth of discussion over Bonhoeffer. You might want to consider adding some links, for example the International Bonhoeffer Society — http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/~diebon06/index.html

I would also suggest that your reflections on primary sources reference Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works English edition – http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/~diebon06/DBWE.html

7. What would you suggest to make this blog more helpful?

see above

8. Other Comments:

I am looking forward to reading this blog on a regular basis.
Thanks for extending the discussion on one of the most important 20th theologians.