A few short thoughts on a recent read.
70. Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Letters & Papers from Prison. Very much worth the read. I forget when I picked this up – perhaps it was a gift after I asked the family for something of Bonhoeffer’s? But that is no matter, I’ve had this on my shelf for a bit now and picked it up recently when I wanted something biographical/autobiographical. Wasn’t sure how good a book would be that was simply letters back and forth yet…wow, this delivered and it was oh so good for my soul. Also I have now realized I really do need to read the biography of him by Bethge at some point. I will add it to the list! But this book? It is what the title says, mostly letters he wrote in prison (and letters he received!) as well as some poems, short reflections, ponderings, etc. I loved this. I think you get more of the real flavor of a person from their personal letters than from their formal writings, and so here. Obviously there is a tragic undertone, knowing that despite the hope and cheery attitude in many of the letters, Bonhoeffer will never walk free through those prison doors. But that didn’t bother me. No, what I found fascinating and quite encouraging was just seeing the true love communicated between Bonhoeffer and his family and dear friends. I loved seeing the encouragement and exhortation, the warmth and the devotion that Bonhoeffer had for those he loved. I loved seeing the little mundane details of his likes and dislikes, his idiosyncrasies and quirks. I loved seeing how he honored his parents and sought to encourage them even as he sat under lock and key. I loved seeing the fierce love and depth of feeling Bonhoeffer felt for his dear friend Eberhard Bethge. I loved seeing the genuine faith Bonhoeffer had in God and the delight that filled his soul to commune with God and think of things divine even as he was ever so conscious of what it means to live this Christian life on this world right now as we walk a path not always certain. This was just a profoundly encouraging book. I even loved seeing Bonhoeffer try to work out his theology and thoughts about church and life and religion as he thought about his own historical context and mused on what was and what should come for the church at large. I of course also found it fascinating reading this as a historical work and understanding how these German Christians lived in a very challenging situation (yes, bombs falling all around them these last few years of WWII!) and sought to honor God even under a regime they did not quite see eye to eye with. While “just being a book of letters and random writings”, I found this quite edifying and good for the soul. Strongly recommend.
