Dietrich Bonhoeffer

If Not For You

Humans are incredible creatures capable of incon-

ceivable actions and creations whether it is physical

or mental. What is even more spectacular is the ability

to look within oneself and realize that the majority of

one’s country is blind to evil. To take this even further

by helping remove that blindness affecting everyone so

that they can see the light once more is superhuman

wisdom. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a man who had these

abilities and was able to spread these similar views

upon others. How he was able to do this is a tale for the

ages, but the stage had to be set in order to partake in

these immaculate events that happened.

The Weimar Republic did its part to help create a path for Hitler to walk to power. This political orga-nization is one of the reasons that Bonhoeffer’s tale of heroism and illuminating theological writings became a reality. He was able to make an inner sacrifice for the greater good and passed his wisdom to others who may not have been as morally strong. Letters have been found of his encouragement to other resistance members, which show true leadership in a tough setting. Acts of self-righteousness sometimes can get overlooked, but thankfully we know who was the moral backbone was of the resis-tance in Germany. The world may be a different place if not for Bonhoeffer.

In order to fully understand how Bonhoeffer became a crucial resister during Hitler’s reign, one must understand what factors allowed Adolf Hitler to squirm his way into the leader of the coun-try. One of the main reasons was the Weimar Republic. They were the political party that took charge in the transitional time after World War I. The great inflation of 1923 brought hard times to the people of Germany. During this time the middle class lost their savings, jobs were not created, and social service and public spending ceased to live. The occupation of the Ruhr added even more pressure on the Weimar Republic. The Ruhr was the industrial center for Germany and it put the unions in a deprived disposition. What goes up must come down, and eventually the depression caused even more suffering to the German people. This acted as a stake to separate the industrialists and unions against each other even more.

Even though Germany was in bad shape that does not ex-plain why a man who was a pacifist made such a leap in moral beliefs to consider as-sassination the answer to his problems. Bonhoeffer appeared to be a man of great moral strength, so why did he make a vast switch in beliefs? The answer is not black and white, it is grayer. There is not a real event that switched him in an instance, it was a process overtime. There was a realiza-tion through Jesus’ teachings that lead him to the ultimate decision to take another’s life. Larry L. Rasmussen gives de-tailed information that sheds light on Bonhoeffer’s greater understanding of Jesus’ teach-ings.

He says, “Wheth-er it was deputy-ship as interven-ing on behalf of Jews , or the deed of free responsi-bility as the ratio-nale for consent-ing to plans for assassination, or the acceptance of guilt as the hinge of his move from passive to active resistance, the lines lead back to the Gestalt Christi, to Christ whose very being is being-there-for-others,” (Rasmus-sen 37).

This gives an overview of what Larry Rasmussen’s case is in Bonhoeffer’s change in moral views. To put it simply, Bon-hoeffer appears to have made the choice of assassination based on Christ and his teach-ing of being there for another individual no matter what.

Other elements also played an important role as Rasmus-sen points out. There was a clear inclination to help out the Jews due to the persecutions. The free responsibility is more directed towards the idea of conspiracy. Rasmus-sen says, “In delineating the structure of responsible life Bonhoeffer interposes a crucial element missing in that heritage and thus missing during the years of the Third Reich, an omission with shuddering consequences This was the deed of free responsibility, the undertaking of a courageous venture that simultaneously violates the laws of the civil order and conforms to the form of Christ in the world (reality),” Rasmussen 45).What the conspirators were planning was treason, which has legal consequences. Bonhoeffer justifies the actions because Christ’s laws reign supreme. This period of time required national law breaking in sake of a higher good. One must be responsible for another’s life. The acceptance of guilt was the final step in the conversion away from pacifism.

The continual understanding of Jesus’ teachings particularly helped Bonhoeffer in this final step of conversion. He noticed that Jesus took upon himself the guilt of others. Instead of blaming things on the Nazis, which no one would blame him for, he bore the responsibility of Germany’s actions. In addition to this he also took the burden of rectifying the country. The act of killing is evil, but the resisters took that weight upon their shoulders for the sake of those that needed help.

Dr. Kelly also shows evidence of how Bonhoeffer made the switch from pacifism.

He says, “Bonhoeffer the German began to recognize the need to transcend the national

setting of his faith and loyalty. It was a strug-gle with his own attachment to Germany,

but eventually the struggle wrung form him a deeper commitment to principle of the Sermon of the Mount and a firm devotion to the cause of world peace. Paradoxically, this commitment led to a truer loyalty to Germany in the higher integrity of service to country he and his fellow conspirators would exemplify,” (Kelly 101). This has a connection to Rasmussen’s views on Bonhoeffer. Through a greater study of the Bible, Bonhoeffer was able to continue down the path of resistance and also strengthened his responsibility of Germany. People may say they will die for their country, but how many would sacrifice past views in order to take on the heavy burden of an entire country? There was no gold medal that these resisters were going to receive right away, they knew they would be seen as traitors to Germany and its people, but these few individuals recognized the bigger picture. Bonhoeffer let God show him the way and he in turn followed faithfully.

Bonhoeffer was the moral backbone of the conspiracy because of his never ending wisdom and guidance he pro-vided to the conspirators. He under-stood that there was a responsibility different from the one discussed earlier in this paper. This responsibility was to defend those unable to protect them-selves. The protection was against lawless violence created by Hitler and the Nazis. His wisdom and clear guidance helped the resistance keep moving on even after failed attempts. He made sure that the other resisters were acting within good faith and righteous morals. He under-stood that with killing comes guilt and regret. The members of the resistance took this upon themselves in order to restore peace and justice to those who were affected by Hitler’s reign of terror. In the past, Christians were expected to mourn after war due to the sin of killing. Not only could the soldiers not consume the Eucharist right away, but they had to do penance for three years.

Bonhoeffer was the moral backbone

of the conspiracy because of his never

ending wisdom and guidance he provid-

ed to the conspirators. He understood

that there was a responsibility different

from the one discussed earlier in this

paper. This responsibility was to defend

those unable to protect themselves. The

protection was against lawless violence

created by Hitler and the Nazis. His

wisdom and clear guidance helped the

resistance keep moving on even after

failed attempts. He made sure that the

other resisters were acting within good

faith and righteous morals. He under-

stood that with killing comes guilt and

regret. The members of the resistance

took this upon themselves in order to

restore peace and justice to those who

were affected by Hitler’s reign of terror.

In the past, Christians were expected to

mourn after war due to the sin of killing.

Not only could the soldiers not consume

the Eucharist right away, but they had

to do penance for three years. There are

physical documents that also support

why he was the moral backbone of the

resistance. Bonhoeffer wrote some re-

flections to other conspirators in 1943 to

help them along this morally challeng-

ing part of their lives.

There was one reflection entitled Who Stands Fast?, and one part stood out from it. It stats, “Who stands fast? Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedient and responsible ac-tion in faith and in exclusive allegiance to God – the responsible man, who tries to make his whole life answer to the question and call of God. Where are these responsible people?,” (Coles 111). This sounds like a moral leader rallying the “troops” to keep pushing on and take a stand against evil. He mentions sacrificing everything a man stands for in order to do the moral work of God.Bonhoeffer understood that there would be more sacrifice than just a man’s life. His reputation, conscience, and freedom would all be sacrificed in order to kill Hitler. If they succeeded then they would be seen as traitors to their own country. They could be put in jail for their actions. Even though their mind may not want to commit this assassination, they knew deep down in their souls it had to be done. Bonhoeffer was reminding them of the true strength that was needed, faith in God.

If the resister’s faith was strong in God than they

could accomplish anything. To know that God is on

your side means a lot. To some it may not, but true

faith in God gives one the confidence to succeed in

whatever they may be doing. Where would we be

without Dietrich Bonhoeffer? He was a man full

of wisdom and inner strength that few have. The

guidance he provided to the resistance was crucial

even though they did not succeed.

He put the minds and souls of the men involved in the right place through his reflections, whether oral or written. The resisters understood that they had a responsibility to protect the weak and innocent from Hitler and in doing so had to sacrifice more than just their lives. They put the burden of an entire country on their back so that light may one day shine again of their beloved country. This was made possible through the spiritual guidance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. If not for him, Germany may not be where it is today, or viewed in the same way it is now.