As much as I like to read, I’m not a big fan of biographies. So when I was asked to read a 542-page biography of a 20th century theologian and then interview the author, I accepted with an attitude of toleration. As in, “not my preference, but if I must…”
Within one chapter, my attitude turned 180 degrees. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy brought the man, Dietrich, to life again. Eric Metaxas managed to gather loads of original material–love letters, sermons, letters, personal interviews–that tell a flowing story of one man’s life and its immeasurable effect on the church.
His message to believers is applicable today, for the relationship between church and state today looks amazingly like 1930s Germany. Not Nazism now, but the reach of the state’s influence and how the church does or doesn’t respond. Bonhoeffer has something to teach us.
So read my interview with Metaxas. He’s a great guy–so gracious when I goofed and had to completely re-do the interview. And funny, too. His website is here.