Biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Resistance without surrender

4 February 1906 9 April 1945 the theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born on February 4, 1906 in Wroclaw, in Poland, but his family is originally from Berlin. It is an upper class family, very important and very visible from relationships at the highest levels of the State administration. Karl's father is a prominent professor of the Faculty of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Berlin, where the same Athenaeum Dietrich will teach in subsequent years. Her mother Paula, is one of the few German women graduates of the time. Dietrich chooses to study theology, a choice "anomalous" for his family members who attended the Lutheran Church, but looked with a tinge of irony both to the church about theology, believing that true modern culture was represents mostly from secular culture and scientific thought. Studies therefore in Tübingen and at the University of Berlin and ends his studies in 1927 with the famous dissertation "Sanctorum Communio" ("the communion of Saints"), a text dedicated to the Church. Meanwhile, assiduously frequents the parish. When announcing that he wanted to be a pastor relatives react badly. The older brother (a prominent physicist), tries to dissuade him, arguing that the Church is now weak and unsuccessful: whereupon he replies: "If the Church is really what you say to be, then I'll have to give me to do to reform it." In 1930 Bonhoeffer he travelled to the United States as host of a prestigious seminar, but is discouraged and disappointed to see that the American students come in a superficial manner and disinterested to theology. In his activity as a teacher always shows a great interest not only for theology, but also for the Church in its concrete figure, that is for the community and the life of the community. From 1931 to 1933 teaches in Berlin. His work shows an innovative, engaging students in activities not only in academia but also the political situation exists. Thus begins his growing opposition to Nazism. In 1933, in a radio broadcast, Hitler defines a Fürher but a Verfürher (seducer). The transmission is immediately interrupted. At the end of January 1933 Hitler goes to power and Bonhoeffer becomes convinced that there is no space at the University to teach theology as he wished, because of the control that the regime exerts even on cultural activities. Therefore leaves Berlin to settle in London for a couple of years; back soon in Germany in 1935, where he remained until 1939. Shortly before the outbreak of war he emigrated again in America, since the location is highly compromised. At that time he had already accumulated various measures of police: could not move freely, could not speak in public, had been withdrawn permission to teaching qualification and couldn't write. In America Bonhoeffer has a strong crisis of conscience. Does not accept within himself the fact of having abandoned his people and not combat the dominant policy of his country. After a few weeks retraces his steps and does return home, well aware of the dangers that this meets. Makes contact with the ferment against the regime and with the resistance, which in Germany has certainly not enjoyed a popular size. Begin to form groups and, within one of these, opera precisely Bonhoeffer. Until, in 1943 he was arrested and interned in Tegel military prison. An Italian inmate who asked him how he, Christian and pastor, could participate in a conspiracy that sought Hitler's death, Bonhoeffer said, "When a fool launches its cars on the sidewalk, I can't, as a pastor, Bonhoeffer. to bury the dead and console the families. I, if I am in that place, jump and grab the driver to his steering wheel". Is put in an army prison along with many other officers and soldiers but this situation "worldly" as he puts it, is also the vital context that explains the great reflections appeared in letters written from prison, writings, collected in the book "resistance and surrender", later donated fame. The attempt, typically, is to overcome the traditional dualisms of Christian tradition, especially in the modern tradition. As long as it remains in the military prison his situation is all in all "serena": can have contact with the family, writing letters; but, worsened his situation, is then placed in a Gestapo prison in Prinz-Achracht Strasse in Berlin. By Dietrich Bonhoeffer there is no further news until April 9, 1945 is hanged in the concentration camp of Flossebürg.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.