Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor, expert of theology and one of the founders of the Confessing Church who is however best known for being a fierce anti-Nazi activist. He was a student of theology and was a believer in liberal values that put him directly at odds with the philosophies of the Nazi Party. He went on to earn a doctorate in theology from the University of Berlin. He lived in the United States for some time and worked in New York City, before returning to his native Germany. The stint in the United States further broadened his liberal worldview. Along with his theological work, he was a liberal thinker as well and his views have influenced a wide range of people across Europe. His book ‘The Cost of Discipleship’, written in 1937, is considered among the most important books of the time and is still regarded as a classic. However, his most important contribution during his lifetime was his vociferous opposition to Adolf Hitler and his policies, which eventually led to his arrest. He had also spent time in one of the infamous concentration camps but he was eventually tried and executed when he was found to have been involved in a plot to kill Hitler. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writings, speeches, thoughts and work always focussed on ‘practicing what you preach’. Our collection of Dietrich Bonhoeffer quotes has been excerpted from his writings, and speeches. Here are some thought-provoking thoughts and quotations by Dietrich Bonhoeffer on understanding, kindness, suffering, persecution and evangelism.
We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.
Music... will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.
Nothing that we despise in other men is inherently absent from ourselves. We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or don't do, and more in light of what they suffer.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Not hero worship, but intimacy with Christ.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me.
We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.....We must not.....assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.
The Church is the Church only when it exists for others...not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live for Christ, to exist for others.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our church. We are fighting today for costly grace.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Absolute seriousness is never without a dash of humor.
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