“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
The other day I was telling someone about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. You may not recognize the name, but you’ve heard him quoted. Bonhoeffer is a household name among Christian leaders of all denominations and perhaps one of the greatest Christian theologians to live. Yet when it comes to understanding Bonhoeffer, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Growing up in Germany, Bonhoeffer studied theology and received his doctorate when he was only 21 years old. Coming to America to continue his studies at Union Theological Seminary and started working at a church in Harlem, New York. Despite is notable accomplishments at this point in his ministry, what intrigues me the most about his life happened upon his return to Germany.
Not long after his return to Germany, Hitler was gaining momentum. The Holocaust was in its infancy and the Church in Germany was about to make a very important decision to say the least; how do we respond? (Church history, specifically in Germany during this time, is fascinating and certainly worth some investigation on your part.) Appreciated as a leader in Christian thought, Bonhoeffer had many eyes on him and his response carried a lot of weight.
Just think about this for a moment. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, great theologian and thought leader, understands aspects of scripture I only one day hope to understand. What scriptures were going through his mind? Love your neighbor as yourself? (Mark 12:31) Do to others as you would have them to do you? (Luke 6:31) Respect the government God has put in authority over you? (Romans 13:1) What do you think he did?
Bonhoeffer was intricately involved in not one, but multiple assassination attempts on Hitler’s life. He played a double agent in Hitler’s regime and conveyed crucial information to those trying to assassinate Hitler. He helped develop assassination plans. He was close to being discovered and captured, therefore considered fleeing to America. He ended up staying when understanding his inability to minister to his people after the war, if he did not stay to be with them during the war. Eventually, he was discovered and sent to multiple concentration camps, being executed only months before Hitler’s suicide and the end of the war.
Why do I find this so fascinating? Because, especially here in America, Christians are known for social apathy. Let’s face it, Christians in America are only marginally active when it comes to justice for those marginalize by society. Most Christians want to cover their ears when it comes to issues of human trafficking, extreme poverty, and others society has cast aside. We may say amen when the preacher talks about it in church, but then we go home and live our own lives.
This must stop.
Many in my generation seem to think acting and speaking out means being involved in protest, marches, and voicing one’s opinion brashly on Facebook. Yes! That is exactly how we end poverty, human trafficking and genocide! (Please note the extreme sarcasm!!)
All I simply want to do is make you aware and challenge you not to stand idly by. I want to point you to one of the greatest thinkers in the Christian faith and show you how involved he was in justice. Doing research into what clothing brands guarantee no slaves are used anywhere along production line. Do some digging to see what ministries to the needy are active in your community and get involved. Read up on the issues to be informed. We all need to be more involved in fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves.
“How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked?
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
– Psalm 82:2-4