Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • German Lutheran theologian and pastor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a prominent German theologian and pastor whose writings and teachings focused on the role of Christianity in the modern, secular world.
   • Active opponent of Nazism: He was a committed and courageous resistor against the Nazi regime in Germany. His opposition led to his arrest, imprisonment, and eventual execution by the Nazis in 1945.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The theological works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer continue to inspire modern Christian thought.
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer's resistance to Hitler's regime is a powerful example of moral courage.

Advanced Usage

• "Bonhoefferian" (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of the theology or ethical stance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
  • His approach to faith in a secular society is deeply Bonhoefferian.

Variants and Related Words

• Bonhoeffer, Dietrich: The full name, often used in formal or academic contexts.
• Theologian: A person who engages in the study of theology, a key descriptor for Bonhoeffer.
• Resistance figure: A term highlighting his active opposition to the Nazi government.

Synonyms

• Theologian: scholar of religion, divine.
• Dissident: resistor, opponent (specifically in the context of his stand against Nazism).

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Costly Grace": A central concept in Bonhoeffer's theology, contrasting cheap grace with the demanding, transformative grace that requires discipleship and action.
  • Bonhoeffer's book discusses the idea of "costly grace."
• "Religionless Christianity": A concept from his later writings, pondering the form of Christian faith in a world that has "come of age" and no longer relies on religious presuppositions.

Noun

1. German Lutheran theologian and pastor whose works concern Christianity in the modern world; an active opponent of Nazism, he was arrested and sent to Buchenwald and later executed (1906-1945)