Standing Convicted

I was reading my Bonhoeffer as I soaked in a hot tub of water - oh such luxury!  I dig my Bonhoeffer books out about every five  years - read, contemplate, sigh and feel inadequate.

Bonhoeffer chose poorly in life.  He rose to head of the National Church (Lutheran), the single most powerful Christian voice in Germany before and during the War.  Unfortunately, the complete lack of a Christian witness during the War, cost the Lutheran church dearly.  A once pious people turned apathetic and then agnostic.

Bonhoeffer's choice to not condemn the assassination attempt against Hitler, brought him to the attention of those with lists. A long investigation as to why, landed him in prison as one of the co-conspirators!  Hitler was cautious, he moved slowly against the head of the church, but eventually - yeah, Bohoeffer and most of the males in his family were jailed and executed.  Bonhoeffer met his end April 9, 1945 - the last official execution by the NAZI's.  There would be no living martyrs allowed in the post war Germany!

Somewhere around July 9,1944, Bonhoeffer wrote these interesting words:

"We sons of pious races,
One time defenders of right and truth,
Became despisers of God and man,
Amid hellish laughter.

"Yet though now robbed of freedom and honour,
We raise our heads proudly before me.
And if we are brought into disrepute,
Before men we declare our innocence.

"Steady and firm we stand man against man;
As the accused we accuse!

"Only before thee, source of all being,
Before thee are we sinners.

"Afraid of suffering and poor in deeds,
We have betrayed thee before men.

"We saw the lie raise its head,
And we did not honour the truth.

"We saw brethren in direst need,
And feared only our own death.

"We come before thee as men,
As confessors of our sins.

"Lord, after the ferment of these times,
Send us times of assurance,

"After so much going astray,
Let us see the day break."

If you think about the perilous times Bonhoeffer lived in, you can understand what he saw as his sins before God.  And knowing God's justice, he knew he was not going to escape, though he longed for freedom.

And think on these words and the state of the world today....

Tomorrow, I have much to say.