Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

My mother lent me this book recently.  Upon taking it, she said she couldn't wait to read my review of it prompting me to move it to the top of my (very long) reading list.  I am certainly glad I did.  In Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy, Eric Metaxas provides a thorough account of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Bonhoeffer was born into a large, aristocratic German family who were devoted deeply to intellectual careers.  In a home of scientists and philosophers, Dietrich's choice at a young age to pursue theology in his academic endeavors may have seemed an unlikely choice and particularly unfavorable for such a bright young man.  There was, however, a tradition of theologians in his mother's side of the family.  He was educated in Tubingen, Berlin, and New York, and his ministries took him to Barcelona, London, and various cities in Germany.  He became deeply involved in the ecumenical church community as was as the Confessing church tradition.  With his keen mind, love for scripture, and gift for writing, Dietrich was clearly cut out for the career of a full-time academic.  This was not to be his fate.  His commitment to living a Christian life according to both Christ's example and his teachings led to his decision to be a pastor and ultimately to his role in a plot to eliminate Hitler.  It may be difficult for an American reader to justify how godly living could not be dissonant cognitively with assassinating a head of state.  One must recognize the deep love that Bonhoeffer had through Christ for those being persecuted.  Briefly, his justification for these actions depended on knowing that God was the source of all authority.  Any government who abused their God-given power must be held accountable by the body of believers who are the representatives of Christ on earth.  Not only is it right for the Christian to speak out against injustice, it is a high calling and duty.  Dietrich desired to be a voice for all the voiceless Jews (and Christians) who had been kidnapped, tortured, worked, starved, murdered, and cruelly disposed of by Hitler and the Third Reich.  In doing so, he accepted that he, too, might share in their suffering and ultimately Christ's suffering. 

To dispel any thoughts that this book is another story on Hitler, WWII, or the Holocaust because such topics are often dreary and depressing, this book is anything but that.  Truly the majority of it is devoted to the expression of Bonhoeffer's faith, his remarkable friendships, his career, his tight knit family, and even romance.  True, Dietrich lived a short life (being executed at age 39), but in those short years he lived a very robust and meaningful life.  Learning about his life filled me with such hope, wonder, and admiration for a man I've never known that I can hardly help but want to encourage all my friends to read it.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer was much more than a pastor, prophet, martyr, or spy; he was a musician, a friend, a writer, a brother, a scholar, a fiancé, and above all a man deeply committed to God.

As for Eric Metaxas writing, I have to say that it was miraculous.  It was obvious how much research he had done (this book is over 500 pages), and he typically allowed the story to be told by the writings of others (principally, of course, Dietrich's own letters and texts).  The chapters gradually shift from titles about where Dietrich lives for a period of time (Barcelona 1928, Berlin 1929, America 1930-1931, etc.) to the subjects that determined the direction his life took (Plotting Against Hitler, Bonhoeffer in Love, Valkyrie and the Stauffenberg Plot, etc).  In truth, Dietrich's story really was at first about where he traveled and shifted to the decision to remain in Germany once the war began and actively work against the evil regime.  Metaxas provides a full understanding of Bonhoeffer's life in an engaging writing style.  Metaxas hardly inserted himself in the narrative making it feel like the story wasn't being told by someone who wasn't actually there.  When I did notice the author, it was to clarify or interpret a theological principle or some action Dietrich took.  I was grateful for these occasions for two reasons.  First, it is so easy to mischaracterize a person when words and actions are taken out of their appropriate context.  Metaxas was certain to provide the right context for everything he wrote.  Second, some of his reflections helped me synthesize my understanding of something particularly difficult absorb.  Bonhoeffer at times is too smart for me, and it was nice to have Metaxas as my interpreter.

I recommend this book (as I said before) to anyone and everyone.  Honestly, I wish I had this book before I read The Cost of Discipleship (by Dietrich Bonhoeffer) because I think it would have made his teachings more profound.  After all, how much more closely do you listen to someone when you know them and how they came to know what they want to teach you?  I am also looking forward to reading Bonhoeffer's Ethics.  In truth, this biography is a testament to how he lived and is likely as instructive on Christian living as anything Bonhoeffer himself actually wrote.  Please please please read it.

Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck

I love a Steinbeck fiction and have read a few. Travels with Charley recounts the tale of Steinbeck's journey around the United States with his old French poodle (literally this dog was born and bred in the Hexagon). They set out from New York City during the fall of 1960 in a large truck fitted with a cozy mobile home in its bed; this vehicle was called Riconante (an homage to Don Quixote). Since it was a non-fiction story but not exactly autobiographical, I would best describe it as blog-style writing. Steinbeck combines some day to day events with reflections and observations about individuals as well as our national identity. Most interestingly he made some comparisons to a few European cities or countries with which I'm recently better acquainted. He savored regional flavor and glorious geography while constantly contrasting it with an ever growing sense that the nation was becoming more homogenized by media, food, and the interstate. Why the interstate? Simply because it thwarted his efforts to leisurely enter a city and take in what he saw. Both his charm and enthusiasm for the trip wane as the book continues. Entering Texas followed by the South reveals his preconceptions and distaste for these places. Though it was honest, it was a weak place to end his adventures and thus the story.

I admit that I'm glad I found this little book on the shelf at school for free. For one, my copy has that wonderful almost sweet old book scent--I believe it was printed not long after the first few editions (the cover even reveals that in its prime, it was selling for 75 cents!). I enjoyed each time he encountered a friendly conversation or invited anyone into his wheeled home for coffee. I also loved the oh-so-human attributes he projected on his companion, Charley. What Steinbeck revealed about himself was also really appealing; he's a man after adventure. Gratifying to my female nature, he also confesses his love for his wife throughout the book making exceptions to the rules of his mission to meet with her for a brief weekend or event in Chicago and Houston. This is a good read for Steinbeck lovers, low budget traveler, folks who love making friends, and history buffs who want a picture of the nation 50 years ago.

After the Fall by Arthur Miller

Hmm... After the Fall by Arthur Miller is an intriguing play. Sometimes I love to read plays because they read quickly as there is mostly only dialogue. This one took me ages to finish because it's probably better seen than read. The main character, Quentin, is a portrayal of the author, and the play recounts significant autobiographical moments. Quentin is having a conversation with an unknown Listener; Quentin hears the Listener speaking to him though the audience doesn't. They are having a conversation about life, love, hope, and despair. Quentin's memory allows the audience to revisit episodes he has previously had with family members, colleagues, and lovers. Most shockingly, Miller reveals the horribly intimate details of his relationship with Marilyn Monroe (called Maggie in the play). Quentin works through these memories as a catharsis. Ultimately he arrives at two interesting conclusions~ "Whoever goes to save another person with the lie of limitless love throws a shadow on the face of God" and (paraphrasing) that we are very dangerous, and in spite of death (both literal and metaphorical) we can have hope to love again and again. This may sound a bit convoluted having not read/seen the play.

I can appreciate the dreamy fashion in which the play was written; it was like a perpetual fog of memories, faces, and thoughts. However, I disliked the story and how he ultimately arrived at his truths. It all seemed a bit indulgently unclear and artistic~ like stream of consciousness for the stage. Also, it felt exploitative (even though it was Miller's life, too) to expose the details of Monroe's mental illness. It was just horrible to me. Here is where he gave the most detail to any once person in the play; I suppose she had the greatest impact on him. As the reader, I felt like I had to endure a lot of confusion and discomfort for him to arrive at the point where he could accept that love is imperfect, you can't save anyone, and it's okay to accept imperfect living and still be happy. I think I'd rather have read The Crucible.

I'm a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson

If you are interested in boosting your vocabulary with Jane Austen style English (i.e. "agreeable" or "diversion" or "an engaging custom"), this book is alright. As for Bill Bryson's insights into American culture after living in England for 20 years, I find him occasionally offensive and slightly ignorant. For instance, he talks about the inconvenience of personalized numbers on health insurance accounts to social security numbers. Though kidding, he proposes to just have one number for everything. In light of the rise of identity theft, these segments just seem stupid. As for his views on politics and justice, he's an ignoramus. He insults politicians for the sake of entertaining himself and makes efforts to justify drug use based on what he considers an unfair justice process for those who use drugs. Bryson could have held his argument afloat if he had stuck to either overly exaggerated thoughts or practical suggestions. Since his language skills are elevated, I'm sure he could have made an intelligent argument as entertaining as the poorly constructed ones he offers in this book. The most redemptive part of this read for me was the segments based on benign observations of the charms of American culture--the history of motels, the customer service at a post office, hotline numbers for every household product, and garbage disposals. These parts were delightful; if I edited this book, these would be the only thing the readers would see.

When Character Was King by Peggy Noonan

Whether you love politics or hate them, this is a fantastic biography to read on Ronald Reagan. The majority of the book is focused on his life and his character; I learned about his childhood in Illinois and his career as an actor and later a Union chief for SAG. For those who are curious about his presidency, this book gives a brief overview of the major moments in his political career.  Most notably, Peggy Noonan comments on the economic crisis of the early 1980s and the power struggle between America and the Soviet Union. I love how Noonan includes portions of President Reagan's own writings and speeches. A biography is incomplete without the words of the man.

From this book I have thought more about the role of the president and how intrinsic it is to know the founding documents of the United States of America in order to be a great leader. If you love liberty and support freedom, learn as much as you can about Ronald Reagan and his character.