Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a notable German theologian and Lutheran pastor, faced execution by the Nazis in 1945 at the age of 39. Reportedly, just before his death, he expressed to a fellow inmate, “This is the end — for me the beginning of life.” While he was contemplating eternal existence, his passing marked a significant turning point, leading to his posthumous recognition as a martyr and beacon for anti-Nazi efforts.
Around the globe, churches pay tribute to Bonhoeffer through statues and stained glass art, and his writings have inspired numerous books exploring his profound calls for selfless discipleship. His notable assertion, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die,” continues to resonate widely. However, his words have been both celebrated and misrepresented; people across the political spectrum have leveraged Bonhoeffer’s legacy to align with their causes, from military conflicts to civil rights issues, even invoking him during the January 6th Capitol riots.
As the memory of Bonhoeffer thrives nearly eight decades posthumously, the struggle to claim his moral authority has intensified, according to scholar Stephen Haynes. He notes that the desire to incorporate Bonhoeffer’s ethical stance for political objectives has grown amid increasing societal division in America. Recently, a number of his relatives and Bonhoeffer scholars publicly denounced the application of his philosophies to movements they believe would have horrified him, such as contemporary religious nationalism and xenophobia prevalent in both the U.S. and Europe.
Adding to the dialogue surrounding Bonhoeffer, a new film titled “Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin” is set to premiere for streaming at the end of January 2024. The film and its marketing have sparked heated discussions due to perceived inaccuracies about Bonhoeffer’s portrayal, especially the imagery suggesting he was an active assassin, which is disputed by scholars and family members of Bonhoeffer.
Born in 1906 in Breslau, Germany, Bonhoeffer exhibited deep faith early in life, pursuing ministry from a young age. By 21, he had completed his doctoral dissertation and furthered his studies in New York, where he experienced the profound faith of the African American church community. As the Nazis exerted their control over Germany, Bonhoeffer opposed the establishment’s attempts to infiltrate Protestant churches, a theme underscored in the film through a bishop’s endorsement of Hitler as a divine figure.
During World War II, Bonhoeffer was involved in a clandestine operation against Hitler within the German intelligence service, conveying sensitive information and devising escape plans for Jewish individuals. He endorsed but did not actively participate in an assassination plot against Hitler. Ultimately captured for his resistance efforts, he spent two years imprisoned before his execution, alongside several family members who also perished as part of the Nazi regime’s brutality.
Scholars and relatives like Ruggero Schleicher-Tappeser have articulated that the family instilled in Bonhoeffer a commitment to honesty and the pursuit of truth, values that spurred over 80 of his descendants to openly reject the rhetoric of contemporary right-wing movements, emphasizing that Bonhoeffer would vehemently oppose any association with extremist groups today.
The International Bonhoeffer Society and other academic voices released statements condemning attempts to use Bonhoeffer’s teachings, such as “cheap grace,” to rationalize rightward shifts in U.S. policies, notably critiquing the founding document of Project 2025 for invoking Bonhoeffer’s legacy inaccurately. The project, connected to the political elements of the incoming Trump administration, misinterpreted his ideas to dismiss refugee protections and environmental stewardship.
Prominent figures in Bonhoeffer scholarship have criticized author Eric Metaxas for ostensibly transforming the theologian’s narrative to fit a more nationalistic viewpoint within Christian circles. Metaxas’s celebrated biography has reached evangelical audiences, further shaping public perception of Bonhoeffer as a figure representing moral courage against governmental authority.
Despite mixed reviews of Metaxas’s works, many scholars contend that Bonhoeffer’s beliefs were nuanced and should not be co-opted by a singular ideological group. They argue that his story should inspire individuals to engage critically with issues of governance and morality, rather than foment divisions.
As the discourse surrounding Bonhoeffer continues, both he and the filmmakers grapple with the struggle against extremes in political and religious movements. A cast member and Bonhoeffer’s interpreter in the film at one point denounced appropriations of his story for extremist causes, emphasizing our collective duty to oppose violence and authoritarianism.
While the biopic has finished its theatrical screenings in the U.S., it will soon be available for international audiences. The film’s creator, Todd Komarnicki, has expressed discontent with the marketing narrative characterizing Bonhoeffer as an assassin and intends to highlight the core messages of compassion and servitude inherent in Bonhoeffer’s life and teachings.
In Bonhoeffer’s poignant reflections toward the end of his life, he questioned the authenticity of how he was perceived by others, expressing a sense of uncertainty about his moral standing. His legacy, rich with lessons on faith and activism, continues to provoke necessary discussions about the intersection of spirituality and social justice.
