Bonhoeffer: Suffering & Solidarity

Question 1

What does Bonhoeffer link Christian discipleship to?

Answer 1

The passion of Jesus - his rejection, suffering and death

Question 2

What do discipleship and costly grace involve?

Answer 2

Self-denial and endurance

Question 3

What was a central part of Bonhoeffer’s theology?

Answer 3

‘Existing for others’ or ‘solidarity’, linking it closely to discipleship

Question 4

What was Bonhoeffer offered, but rejected?

Answer 4

The opportunity to stay in London and learn from Ghandi about the principles of non-violence, but he chose instead to run the Finkenwalde seminary

Question 5

How could Bonhoeffer have escaped?

Answer 5

He could’ve stayed in the USA, but he stayed only three weeks before returning to Germany to share in suffering

Question 6

What did Bonhoeffer’s solidarity lead him to?

Answer 6

The Resistance movement

Question 7

When did Bonhoeffer die?

Answer 7

He was hanged on April 9th, 1945 without a trial, just two weeks before American soldiers liberated the concentration camp