Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Theology, and Political Resistance

In 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a theologian and pastor—was executed by the Nazis for his resistance to their unspeakable crimes against humanity. He was only 39 years old when he died, but Bonhoeffer left behind volumes of work exploring theological and ethical themes that have now inspired multiple generations of scholars, students, pastors, and activists. This book highlights the ways Dietrich Bonhoeffer's work informs political theology and examines Bonhoeffer's contributions in three ways: historical-critical interpretation, critical-constructive engagement, and constructive-practical application. With contributions from a broad array of scholars from around the world, chapters range from historical analysis of Bonhoeffer’s early political resistance language to accounts of Bonhoeffer-inspired, front-line resistance to white supremacists in Charlottesville, VA. This volume speaks to the ongoing relevance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s work and life in and out of the academy.

Carefully distinguishing between political theology and "politicized" theology throughout, this volume provides a multipronged articulation of the enduring legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It is a labor of love and acumen by many of the leading international scholars who have dwelled with Bonhoeffer's work the longest. Their clarity and steadfastness are a fitting tribute to Bonhoeffer with topics ranging from the historical to the contemporary, from the theoretical to the practical, and from Bonhoeffer's opposition to the Nazified church to the present-day theo-political responses to mass incarceration, the rise of the "Alt-right," and other pressing issues and movements of our time. In a time desperately calling out for courage and prophetic witness, this book will inspire and challenge you by Bonhoeffer all over again.--Jeffrey W. Robbins, Lebanon Valley College, author of Radical Democracy and Political Theology, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Theology, and Political Resistance is a fresh, timely and cutting-edge collection of essays that deal with the implications of Bonhoeffer's theology for pressing issues as broad as church resistance, the status of natural law, and the challenge of climate change and as specific as mass incarceration in America, racial injustice in South Africa, and confederate monuments in Virginia. Whether established or emerging interpreters of Bonhoeffer, the authors share a sense of urgency to apply Bonhoeffer's insights to our most pressing political and social tasks. In the welter of competing attempts to establish Bonhoeffer's relevance for contemporary life, this volume stands apart and demands our attention.--Stephen Haynes, Rhodes College, Readers looking for expert and impassioned guidance in their effort to win a rich and responsible reading of Bonhoeffer in our present political moment will be well served by time spent with these serious, engaging and timely essays. The editors have drawn together a wide-ranging set of reflections which together illumine important aspects of the ongoing reception of Bonhoeffer in the American scene in particular.--Philip G. Ziegler, University of Aberdeen, An incisive collection of essays by leading Bonhoeffer scholars on a controversial theme in Bonhoeffer's legacy at a time in global history when his relevance is once again of critical significance for Christian witness across the globe.--John de Gruchy, University of Cape Town

Lori Brandt Hale is professor and chair of religion at Augsburg University and co-author of Bonhoeffer for Armchair Theologians. W. David Hall is W. George Matton professor of religion and philosophy at Centre College and author of Paul Ricoeur and the Poetic Imperative: The Creative Tension Between Love and Justice.