Dietrich Bonhoeffer: False Teacher, Traitor, Damned

Like MLK, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a false teacher. Also like MLK, Dietrich Bonhoeffer studied at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Unlike MLK, Bonhoeffer is a deeply dangerous theologian, because where MLK lacked subtlety and cunning, Bonhoeffer most certainly did not.

When Bonhoeffer writes or speaks, he may very well sound Christian — may very well even be Christian (in his comments) here and there in his writings —, but he uses Christian terms with anti-Christian definitions= (for instance, he calls the Crucifixion and the Resurrection myths). Scripture commands the Christian to be on his guard against false teachers — to be as wise as a serpent and the judge the spirits. Bonhoeffer denies almost every core tenet of the Christian religion at some point in his writing.

And yet Bonhoeffer is held up as a towering figure by many supposed Christian leaders. He is called a theologian, a pastor, a teacher, and a martyr. In this episode, we examine those claims by looking at what Bonhoeffer actually wrote — what he actually believed and taught. You will be left with a very different image of this man than the one so very many pastors — to their discredit and to the misfortune of their sheep — have had instilled in them.

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Show Notes

“Bonhoeffer” and “Vatican II” [Google Ngram]

See Also

Further Reading

Parental Warnings

None.