MY INTEREST IN DIETRICH BONHOEFFER • I knew of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as the author of two very good books, The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together. In the introductions to the editions I had, I read that he died as a martyr in World War II, but did not know the reasons why. But his name was certainly much respected and admired in my college and graduate circles. My pastor at that time would often quote Bonhoeffer in his sermons.

It was not until a few decades later that I learned not only about his death as a martyr, but about how he had lived life in all its fullness. This revelation came in 2012 when I read an excellent Bonhoeffer biography written by author Eric Metaxas. That book changed everything. I learned that he died for living out his Christian faith in the face of evil. For joining the German resistance to Hitler. God had called him to act and to sacrifice all in sole allegiance to God on behalf of God’s people, the Jews. And in this, his deep struggle as a church leader was being faithful to that call even though many others were not ready to follow him. In fact, he knew that his resolve may not be fully understood by current, and perhaps even future, generations. He knew that not many people could go where he was going or could see what he was seeing. His biography showed me how history — and I mean the deep joys and struggles of personal history — gives us all a perspective of our common humanity, and with that, of the essence of life.