Since there were more martyrs to the Christian faith in the 20th century than in all previous centuries combined, and since the world adds to their numbers at an accelerating rate in this 21st century, Christians should examine carefully Bonhoeffer’s life and message. In the book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Eric Metaxas explores all facets of this complex yet winsome man with care, passion and skill.
Born into an educated German family (Bonhoeffer’s father was a scientist; one of his brothers worked with Albert Einstein to split the atom), Dietrich was 13 when he made a conscious decision to choose religion over science, deciding to become a theologian, and was awarded a doctoral degree at the callow age of 21. In 1924, while in Rome with his brother, Dietrich was granted an audience with Pope Pius XI and found himself overwhelmed by the beauty and antiquity of the Vatican. But he decided to remain a Protestant.
Digital Columnists
The article you have requested is only available to subscribers of the Catholic Register.
There are two ways to read this article.
1. Subscribe to our digital edition and read the complete newspaper, plus additional features, on your PC, laptop or tablet. Subscription rates start at just $3.99.
2. Subscribe to our weekly newspaper and have the print edition delivered right to you door each week.