Bonhoeffer: a Quick Review
A few days ago I received an email with an opportunity to watch an early release of “Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.”
After grabbing a couple of tickets, I wondered who I could convince to come with me to a movie starting after 10:00 pm. I called my son Paul and asked if he wanted to watch a late show, and immediately he was game and headed over.
Here are a few quick thoughts (without spoilers) that may sound a little jumbled, but that is only because they are…jumbled. I mean, come on, I’ve only been home for a little while and it’s after 2:00 in the morning!
The movie started very slow (for me), but it did not take long to draw me in. I’m glad I stayed “locked in” during the opening scenes depicting some of Bonhoeffer’s childhood, or I would have missed something very precious at the end of the movie.
“Bonhoeffer” had something special that many modern movies do not have, and that is an actual storyline. It felt good watching a movie that was not overly congested with CGI, cameras that are constantly switching, and endless explosions to keep your attention due to the lack of good acting and a plot. Now look, I enjoy CGI, cameras that are apparently ADHD, and find explosions to be quite fun. But this movie caused me “lean in” as I found myself exploring various scenes for deeper meaning, and it did not disappoint. The actor who played Dietrich did an exceptional job.
Though it did not go into great depth, it did convey enough to remind me of just how evil Hitler was. I find this very helpful in an age where “Everyone I don’t like politically is Hitler!” I’ve never heard such ridiculousness and cringe insanity in my entire life as I have the last few years. No…Trump is not Hitler, and neither is Biden, Obama, Bush, or Clinton. Now, if one of our political leaders begins to arrest pastors, takes the Old Testament out of the Bible and all references to Jews, topples churches and smashes statues of their Saints, and oh, I don’t know…maybe murders 6 million Jews…then you may have a Hitler on your hands.
Courage, and not Bonhoeffer’s theology, was on full display, and for that I am very glad. It is interesting that though Bonhoeffer wrote over 30 books, his most influential work is “The Cost of Discipleship”. I read it the first time in my early 20’s, then again in my 30’s, again in my 40’s, and I guess I’ll need to read it once more now that I am in my…well, let’s not say it 😃
Quotes: Those who are familiar with Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemoller will be excited to hear some of their most significant quotes spoken throughout the movie. One quote I expected, but not the others, and they were a pleasant surprise.
Antisemitism. This movie is so timely, as we have entered a time of increasing hatred and animosity towards Israel and the Jews. Recently, I have witnessed some of the most psychotic and twisted propaganda concerning Israel and the Jews spewed by vitriolic nutjobs who have no idea what they are talking about. Including from some prominent pastors and leaders. Absolute insanity, and I wish I had more time to address this, and I am sure I will in the soon future (I have spoken on this some in our private group in Facebook called The Factory).
I’ll close with two powerful quotes;
Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.
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