Reading Bonhoeffer

Dorothee Soelle once wrote, ""Dietrich Bonhoeffer is the one German theologian who will lead us into the third millennium."" As we near the end of the first decade of this third millennium, Bonhoeffer continues to inspire new generations as a spiritual guide for their actions on behalf of peace and social justice. This book by Geffrey Kelly provides a critical analysis and reading guide to two of the spiritual classics that are now available in new translations through Fortress Press. Reading Bonhoeffer offers a running commentary of each segment of these popular texts along with discussion questions suitable for the university and seminary classroom as well as parish adult education programs. In a final section of the book, Kelly excerpts and analyzes three significant texts by Bonhoeffer on the need for world peace against the rising militarism and continued glorification of war in Germany and other European nations. Geffrey Kelly fuses personal characteristics that define him--deep sensitivity for spirituality, ecumenical openness and knowledge, the discipline of individual and communal practice of devotion, a sharp eye for contextuality, and his unmistakable Irish passion--and mingles them into this study of two widely acclaimed works by Bonhoeffer. The combination of those elements, and his intimate knowledge of the literature by and on Bonhoeffer, make for a fresh, well-written, and compelling introduction . . . and highlight Dietrich Bonhoeffer's relevance for living in today's context as followers of Christ. --H. Martin Rumscheidt Atlantic School of Theology Halifax, Nova Scotia Reading Bonhoeffer--both vintage Kelly and vintage Bonhoeffer--will serve to introduce yet another generation to this important voice from the church's immediate past. Specialists and those looking for an introduction to Bonhoeffer's faith and witness, as well as the average Christian seeking to grow in faith, will benefit from this text. In this presentation, both Bonhoeffer's and Kelly's passion for Christian discipleship comes through. --H. Gaylon Barker V. P., International Bonhoeffer Society, English Language Section Editor, Theological Education at Finkenwalde, 1935-1937 Geffrey Kelley, a prolific writer in the field of theology and religion, has now provided what I think is his best and most helpful work in spirituality--a work useful for ordinary readers as well as scholars in living their own daily lives."" --Charles W. Sensel United Methodist Minister Emeritus Board Member, International Bonhoeffer Society, English Language Section Geffrey B. Kelly is Professor of Systematic Theology at La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Best known for his research and publications on the theology and spirituality of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Kelly is past president of the International Bonhoeffer Society, English Language Section. The present book is the offshoot of his editorial work for the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works English Edition--the new translations and critical editions of the collected writings of Bonhoeffer, which are being published by Fortress Press. Among his recent works on Bonhoeffer are Liberating Faith (2002), The Cost of Moral Leadership (2002), and A Testament to Freedom: (1995).