Christian Cyclopedia

(1906–45). Ger. ev. theol.; studied under Harnack, Seeberg; also at Union Theol. Sem.; student pastor at technical high school and instr. at U. in Berlin; protested against Deutsche Christen (see Barmen Theses); accepted pastorate in London; Confessional Ch. (see Kirchenkampf) called him back to Ger. 1935 to lead the sem. at Finkenwalde (Pomerania); in US in summer of 1939 at invitation of R. Niebuhr; his activity in the opposition movement led to his imprisonment 1943; executed at Flossenbürg concentration camp. Tried to answer the question “Who is Christ?” in the ch. (Communio Sanctorum), in theologies of action and essence (Act and Being), in Biblical studies (The Cost of Discipleship), in the world (letters). His Ethics describes the Christian's conformation to Christ.

E. Bethge, Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Gesammelte Schriften (Munich, 1958– ); J. D. Godsey, The Theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Philadelphia, 1960); The Place of Bonhoeffer, ed. M. E. Marty (New York, 1962).