So, I have a confession.
The first biography I ever read on Bonhoeffer was Eric Metaxas’ book, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy. Now granted, this wasn’t my introduction to Bonhoeffer, I had already read Discipleship, Life Together, and Creation and Fall but aside from a few biographical notes I’d picked up in classes, Metaxas was my first “deep dive” or dive at least into Bonhoeffer’s life. You are likely wondering why I feel the need to confess such a thing or why I feel the shame I do about this, so let me explain. First and upfront, I think Metaxas tells a pretty good story, a World War 2 thriller involving this “Pastor” this “prophet”, this “martyr”, this “spy”. It wasn’t a story though nor should it have been a thriller. It was sold as a biography, and what it was instead was a fan fiction about who Bonhoeffer might have been had he been an American Conservative.
The book which started this blog (Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker by Andrew Root ) opened my eyes to the shortcomings of Metaxas’ story. Root’s book set some aspects of Bonhoeffer’s life straight from the crooked story Metaxas told and whet my appetite to start anew in coming to learn the story of Bonhoeffer’s life. So when I found myself sidelined by an appendectomy, I decided to tackle Bethge’s biography of Bonhoeffer; what a joyous labor that was. Much that was missing or falsely framed in Metaxas’ story gained clarity, Bonhoeffer the person started to shine through. Next I read Marsh’s biography of Bonhoeffer, A Strange Glory, and appreciated more the complex but beautiful person Bonhoeffer was. My interest in Bonhoeffer resembled an obsession as I started collecting his works. I read His Letters from Prison, Ethics, even his first two dissertations more and more of his world opened up to me a world I want others to see.
Some, but not all of my books by and about Bonhoeffer
I understand though that not many have time nor the desire to read the thousands of pages from the material mentioned above, (Some may be losing steam a few hundred words into this too long introduction.) so into this void steps Laura M. Fabrycky’s text, Keys to Bonhoeffer’s Haus (KTBH), a wonderful tour into the life the wisdom and the world of Bonhoeffer, one which I happily recommend to Bonhoeffer veterans or newbies alike for it’s fresh perspectives and its wholly satisfying (and challenging) approach to Bonhoeffer.
What Metaxas did to Bonhoeffer (molding him into his own agenda) was not unique to how Bonhoeffer has been used since his death. Dietrich’s good friend Bethge spoke out at various times against the efforts of those who would hijack his message or make him the hero of their cause. One thing I truly appreciated about this book was the constant and honest effort by Laura Fabrycky to name the areas where she might be tempted to do likewise and avoid those pitfalls. What ends up emerging is one of the most enfleshed versions of Bonhoeffer that I have encountered in my studies- a look at Bonhoeffer that I am grateful for in the present times of uncertainty. Writing into what was already the chaotic state of our world she tells the reader ”
Above all, I wrote this book as a sign that I have chosen hope and invite you to do so too” KTBH- p.28
Now, granted Laura Fabrycky chose hope before a pandemic and riots around the country but I believe she would continue to choose hope, I know I am trying to.
One aspect of being a hope filled people is speaking hope and truth into the world. Early on the author explores how the Nazis reformed and repurposed language to fit their needs. Alongside this tendency came a similarly disturbing tendency for those living in that time to use passive language which denied the ugliness of their actions or the actions of the state and euphemized atrocities. Into this world Fabrycky reminds us that Bonhoeffer called for the church to drive a spoke in the wheel of oppression. I am worried that as the church we function more as a lubricant for the machines of oppresion be they political, racial or capital. We sprinkle our vocabulary on top of the American dream in order to make it’s selfish aims seem Holy. Instead of amplifying the voice of the hurting we dampen it down with switching the word “all” in for the word “black” when discussing who’s lives matter. A rather passive practice.
I want to say here that Bonhoeffer would say “this” or Bonhoeffer would say “that” but as I am brought through this story of Germany and Bonhoeffer I am reminded by the author that to do so wouldn’t be fair. Our times are not Germany’s. So instead as she puts so wonderfully
“we can take counsel from the wisdom of his life, but it is our responsibility to act wisely in our own lives” p. 51 (KTBH)
And that’s just it, no matter how many books on Bonhoeffer or by Bonhoeffer one reads we are reminded that we can’t have him do the work of today. That needs done by us; as we seek counsel and wisdom in prayer and Scripture.
Keys To Bonhoeffer’s Haus, has eight chapters, or keys for consideration as Laura Fabrycky seamlessly weaves between her experience as a volunteer tour guide at Bonhoeffer’s haus in Germany, and engagement with Bonhoeffer. The keys aren’t cheap tokens from a shallow dive into Bonhoeffer, but instead are hard earned insights from careful consideration, study and time spent in shared places with Bonhoeffer. That matters to me the reader because it would be a shame to see Bonhoeffer tokenized or watered down, rest assured that doesn’t happen here.
I won’t discuss each key (Read it yourself!), but one of my favorite chapters/ keys was Chapter 4 The Watchwords. With the key: “When we hold on to the truth, we find the truth holds on to us, even when we are tempted to despair”(KTBH 91). I liked this chapter most because of where I am; a bit overwhelmed with the hurting all around, and feeling unable to do much if anything to help. In this chapter, Laura Fabrycky explores Bonhoeffer’s engagement with Scripture and prayer in his adult life. She reminds us what a powerful practice prayer was for him and his students. As she puts it so wonderfully,
When Bonhoeffer joined his heart in prayer, whether when traveling before his arrest or after, when he was in prison, even though he was very alone, he joined the prayers of the scattered Confessing Church community and the company of heaven and earth. (KTBH, 117)
I am reminded that though I may feel isolated (I am quarantining extra due to my health.), I can find community in prayer and in Scripture. These may not seem to be very profound insights for an ordained elder in the church, but believe me I needed and appreciated the reminder. No where was this reminder more striking than in some words she had on the Psalms while reflecting on Bonhoeffer’s book Prayerbook of the Bible she tells the reader
“The Psalms don’t offer an escape from life; they offer a way to avoid escaping it— a way back from stone into flesh”120
I’ve not done justice to many aspects of Fabrycky’s work; she opens up Dietrich’s neighborhood, home church and house through stories of her time lived in Berlin that gave so much more depth to the story than I had gleaned elsewhere. There are 8 keys and I really only dove in on one, but towards the end of the book she has some poignant words of reminder that we are not Dietrich! But that is okay and reading this book can give the reader a picture of Dietrich’s life that can “be a helpful model, a sturdy bannister, that can help us expand our moral imaginations in our life and times” (KTBH, 211).
So then, read this book. Consider the keys, and expand your imaginations to how you can be active truth tellers today, tomorrow and in each valley or peak in life.
I read too much 