Anniversary of Bonhoeffer's Martyrdom (March 23, 2005)
I always know good art, because when I leave I want to pursue my own art and be more of an artist myself. The Bonhoeffer interview was art, because I left desiring the artistic character of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I listened to the interview three times and took notes. For two days I was quieter and serious. The quotes from this interview have applied over and over in just a few short days.

I always love the show, but this one made me older, wiser, and more serious about throwing my life into the arms of the world as if they were the arms of God and as if they were the arms of my lovely wife. Thank you to Krista and to the entire staff at SOF.

Tim Gapinski
Noblesville, IN (Listens via Web Audio)

Anniversary of Bonhoeffer's Martyrdom (March 23, 2005)
Doing some preparation for a memorial service in which we will remember Bonhoeffer's martyrdom on its 60th anniversary, I happened to find and listen to the archived version of your October 2004 show on the recent Bonhoeffer documentary (and so much more). Beautiful. I suggest that you may want to replay it sometime during the anniversary week. Well done, indeed.

Dr. Joe Ricke
Huntington, IN (Listens via Web Audio)

A Progressive Program (January 11, 2005)
I'm a regular listener to NPR, both on the air and on the Internet. Why is it that it took a Google search for Bonhoeffer to lead me to your fantastic program? I teach English at Mercer University—a Baptist school in Georgia—and frequently discuss topics relating to religion and literature. Your program is a delight, a progressive program devoted to exploring the most vital and insightful religious figures and issues. Thanks for the excellent interviews!

Andrew Silver
Macon, GA (Listens via Web Audio)

Connections (November 8, 2004)
I just listened to the program about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I remembered hearing about Bonhoeffer during my college years in the eighties. I have often thought about this man as I have moved through my life, not because I identified with him, but because he offered a vision of doing the right thing that I could understand. He did not live in some ever-after. He lived in the world and tried to make this world a better place. He thought of others, which is sorely lacking in our own time.

This conversation reminded me that faith is the important thing in life. I struggle often with the question of whether I am doing God's will. I think the program helped me to better understand that there is no way of knowing. As Mr. Doblmeier seemed to say you must be open through prayer to God's message for you. I keep forgetting this fundamental fact about God and doing his will. Thank you for helping me and reminding me of what faith is truly about through the inspiring example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Dan Low
Highlandville, IA (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

A True Test of Faith (November 6, 2004)
Thanks for the great program on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. During this time of paranoid nationalism and militarism, his courage and faith is a benchmark for all who seek justice and peace, over fear, ignorance, and xenophobia. His perseverance and sacrifice in the face of tremendous adversity is the true test of faith. Thanks again.

Anthony Lorts
West Bloomfield, MI (WUOM, 91.7 FM)

Are the 9/11 Terrorists Goals Different from Bonhoeffer's? (November 9, 2004)
Very thought-provoking show. I have always (almost 30 years) held Dietrich Bonhoeffer in very high regard. Many would nominate him for sainthood if Protestants had saints! But now as I'm thinking about his activism against the backdrop of the current war on terrorism, I can't help but think of him in this way despite my continued admiration of him. He was a gifted and inspired seeker of God and a scholar and teacher of God's Word who believed his religious journey led him to attempt to kill a leader whose actions made him an enemy of God. Doesn't sound too different from people who feel they should fly planes into buildings.

Jane Cridland
St. Louis, MO (KWMU, 90.7 FM)

Bonhoeffer and Greater Moral Virtues (November 5, 2004)
This is a terrific program. I downloaded the transcript on this one. I'm doing some research on Bonhoeffer and found this very helpful. It is especially timely in relation to the recent election when, to my view, the evangelical church here is doing what the evangelical church did in Germany: following a leader to war for the uncertain benefits they hope to gain—"faith-based initiatives" etc.

I too am an evangelical Christian, but am appalled at how limited the conservative Christian view is on moral values; they forget the greater moral values of unjust war, the homeless in this country, the growing number of children in poverty—all for the sake of a few pet issues. I think the comparison to Nazi Germany in the 30's is a little frightening. Thank you for airing this.

Sarah Arnold
Topsham, ME (Listens via Web Audio)

Etched on Our Hearts (November 5, 2004)
Great program. I love to read the e-mails and articles out loud. Sorry I can't "hear" them down here in Old Mexico. It is interesting to me how we can misunderstand Bonhoeffer's life. Our nation is so divided these days. How we can villainize our current leader, casting him in the same light as Hitler, and turn around and say that an unborn child has no right to live, is beyond me.

From what I know of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he was a Christian. He saw that there was a moral right beyond the mere whim and fancy of men. This morality, which transcends culture, ideology, religion, everything, is God. Or given by Him from the first. It is what makes us aware that the actions of a man like Adolf Hitler were wrong. What makes us aware that supporting him, i.e. "I knew it was wrong but I was just following orders," or "That's what everyone else was doing" (which were some arguments given by Hitler's officers).

See, they all knew, in their deepest hearts that what was going on was wrong, they were trying to kill there own conscience. Willfully running away from the light and into the dark. I see Bonhoeffer as a man who, knowing Christ, refused to allow the obfuscations of men to destroy his knowledge of what was right. His actions in response to this might be questionable, but the record of history will show that Mr. Bonhoeffer stood by his convictions. I think he did the right thing. As did the Christians who faced lions, and torture, and shameful deaths, and these more in the last century than ever in the first. We all know what is right and good, because God has put it there. May he grant you, and me, the courage that Bonhoeffer showed. The courage to do what we know is right.

Roger Oliver
Puebla, Mexico (Listens via Web Audio)

A Recipe for Melancholia (November 3, 2004)
Thank you for tonight's program on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It was exactly what I needed after this long, exhausting day. Driving home from work in the dark this evening, the drizzle on my windshield matched my melancholy mood. I'm deeply grieved by the results of our elections and the state of our churches.

I reached for my radio dial out of habit and then hesitated before turning it on. Fortunately, I didn't give into my reluctance, because the inspirations from this program trickled through my mind and soothed my aching heart like holy water. Thank you Krista Tippett and Martin Doblmeier for your work on this. I am eager to see the film.

Catherine McCall
Roswell, GA (WABE, 90.1 FM)

A Substitution for Sunday Service (November 1, 2004)
Thank you so much for your conversation with Martin Doblmeier about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. My boyfriend and I listened to the program while driving to Chicago from Grand Rapids early Sunday morning, causing us to miss the worship service we usually attend. After hearing the Bonhoeffer program, we looked at each other, wide-eyed, and I said, "Well, I think we just went to church!"

Bonhoeffer's legacy is moving and extraordinarily relevant in the times in which we live today, and I wish more churches would take the conversational and curious approach that is consistently embodied on Speaking of Faith.

Kate Bowman
Grand Rapids, MI (WVGR, 104.1 FM)

Inspirational Story (November 1, 2004)
One of the most powerful stories of an authentic faith that I have experienced — this while I was just waking up and only listening with one ear! I am a Unitarian-Universalist (UU) and found Bonhoeffer's faith and actions to be very much in line of my UU beliefs. Several outstanding points from the program that I identified with:

1. "Faith is about living fully in this world." This is a very UU idea!
2. That the "conventional" Christian congregations and their fragmentation and supporting only their own narrow point of view have really warped the message of Jesus.
3. I was struck with a fear that the U.S. at this time may be close to the fragmented ultra-"Christian" society of Bonhoeffer's Germany. How do we get back to the authentic Christian church of Jesus and Bonhoeffer and Bishop Tutu?
4. I was very moved by Doblmeier's presentation, without saying so, of Bonhoeffer as a "Christ Crucified" figure from my own era. I never really "got" what the crucifixion was about in terms of "saving" humanity before. Bonhoeffer's life and death shows how someone can live passionately in the world and at the same time be profoundly an authentic Christian — how a real person can embody the qualities of loving and having faith and being ready to die for an important "cause" that goes totally against the rules and common practice or the surrounding society.
5. How society can "corrupt" religious symbols and turn them into symbols of power, corruption, and death all the while justifying the necessity of doing this as being "good for society." This is a wonderful example, for me of the closeness of heaven and hell here on earth if a person or a society loses the fundamental of love of others as the basis of the Christian faith.

Jean Whelan
West Barnstable, MA (WCAI, 90.1 FM)

Bonhoeffer and Existentialism (October 31, 2004)
It seems to me, with my limited understanding of existentialism, that Bonhoeffer could be the poster child for certain factions within that movement. Was he Influenced by existentialists of his time?

I found the program fascinating and thought of my father (also German), who was raised as a devout Catholic but struggled all of his adult life to reconcile the Failures of the church during WWII with spiritual teachings on ethical behavior taught by Jesus and other great prophets. He resolved the inner conflict by choosing to bill himself as an atheist. I have met few people who have lived a life of such integrity and conscious devotion to removing suffering in the world, as my father. He attributed it to living by certain existential principles.

Faith, as defined by Bonhoeffer, was clearly working in my father's life, yet he could never accept a religious affiliation as the reason for it. In fact, he railed against the dangers of religious fundamentalism and worshipping a "tribal God" (as discussed by Bonhoeffer) until his death. I think he would have found some relief had he heard your program today… it might have lessened the inevitable sense of isolation that seemed to come with leading a life of great introspection and the conscious stance he took in promoting justice, that it required.

Thank you for your provocative and stimulating programs. You assume that your listeners have enough intelligence to grapple with complex ideas and an expansive world view! Thanks for the vote of confidence! It is refreshing.

Victory Kadish
Chicago, IL (WBEZ, 91.5 FM)

To Have Bonhoeffer's Courage (October 31, 2004)
As I prepare to go out to do door-to-door canvassing on this next-to day before the election in the "battleground" territory of Pennsylvania, I listened with great interest to this presentation. I have thought so much about what this election is really all about, and I have struggled since 9/11 to see the real ground upon which that attack occurred in this land and at this time in our history.

I was a child at the time of WWII and it has left its mark upon me. Since 9/11 I have joined the ranks of those who protest the war in Iraq and I have felt the sting of disapproval from some in our community. Having lived through all this post-WWII history, I know full well the futility and legacy of war and I was coming to feel that this nation had begun to evolve into a nation committed to peacekeeping and community-building without killing. Listening to Bonhoeffer's story again I was so struck by the quote by him "Peace is the great adventure. Peace is not security."

Definitely, as the Republican Party has figured out, this election is all about the fear right under the consciousness of the American people. Most people, and certainly no men, speak of their fear, but there is tremendous anxiety. Our response to threat is, unfortunately, the old standard "shoot from the hip" philosophy. We are so fearful that we cannot give ourselves the time and sanity to examine what it is we are shooting at. It's blast away and that will frighten off the evil spirits! To even suggest an examination of what we are doing would "cost the election" in the view of both parties. So we will try once again to win the "unwinnable war," which is to say "make ourselves FEEL safe" while we do it.

To quote Bonhoeffer again: "Each nation believes that "God" is on our side, but is "God" at the center of our decisions?" Obviously, many think this is true. Yesterday, I was canvassing in the neighborhoods of very old, staunchly religiously faithful. The majority there will definitely support the present administration. Finally (forgive my going on and on) I believe either way we go we will still have to confront what Dietrich Bonhoeffer was trying to teach us. What do I think of his intention to kill Hitler? Whew, if I had been witness to the things he witnessed on a daily basis I hope I would have had one-tenth of his courage.

Connie Autumn
Chalfont, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Unremitting Excellence of SOF (October 31, 2004)
Here Speaking of Faith is broadcast Sunday mornings at an unsociable hour, but, reprehensible nonbeliever that I am, I still manage to catch most programs. And each is consistently excellent. I have seen Bonhoeffer and thought Krista Tippett's interview with director Martin Doblmeier brought out important context and deepened my grasp of the film's themes. Media interviews about films seldom get beyond general content; but for this listener Tippett added important and timely dimensions to the film.

SOF is consistently the most thought-provoking, responsible, heartfelt programming on NPR [American Public Media]. How long before late risers get to hear it too? Congratulations all!

Michael Rabiger
Chicago, IL (WBEZ, 91.5 FM)

Living According to a Cartesian Mindset (November 3, 2004)
The point the director made to Krista's comment about Dietrich suffering from the lack of "outward signs" of progress/gratitude/awareness was a point well taken. We live in a cartesian world; if you cannot sit on it, eat it, view it, touch it or manipulate it; it does not exist. Lives lived from our head to our fingertips are shallow, lonely, and one-dimensional. The film's director was trying to illustrate the world for Dietrich began at his fingertips and extended out into infinity, His Kingdom…

The silent, sometimes unknowing, invisible, inestimable world is the infinity we/I seek. It is His Will, I yearn for and study about each day. As I push people ahead of me in my quest, the natural eddies of my own efforts have always more than satisfied my own needs. My prayers are not full of supplications but of thankfulness. Your hesitation and seeming slippage to the cartesian/worldly way of thinking was a perfect segue to the listener last night because that is where most of them are. Sad, but true. I listen to your missives with a keen eye, an open heart, and a willing soul.

Donald J. Boland
Norcross, GA (WABE, 90.1 FM)

Bonhoeffer's Timeless Words (October 31, 2004)
Your program on Dietrich Bonhoeffer was stimulating and thought-provoking. As a graduate of The Union Theological Seminary of New York, I have studied and reflected on Bonhoeffer's writings for many years. The program reminded me how timeless his words from the first half of the 20th century have relevance for today's world. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of this German theologian and how faithfulness is never out of date, but religiosity is almost never a valid response to God's action in the world today.

Gayle Strickler, Jr.
Marshalltown, IA (WOI, 640 AM)

Bonhoeffer and Existentialism (October 29, 2004)
Thank you for your thoughtful article on Bonhoeffer. Like you, I read his works while in college working on voter registration and against the Viet Nam war. He offered a questioning faith, a call to be in the world, but not of it, a stance of strength. No waffler, he. While we may disagree with his plan to kill Hitler, we cannot doubt his belief that his action needed to be taken.

Thank you, too, for your always thought-provoking program. I frequently catch you by accident and cannot remember when Baltimore/Washington stations play it. Sometimes I have listened while I am chopping vegetables for soup. Then it's like having a friend over for supper when the food and the conversation will be equally filling and nourishing. You offer new eyes to the world of faith and an opportunity for your listeners to explore new areas in the safety of our home and cars. Thank you for opening the doors of faith to a wider and more diverse audience.

Beth Edelstein
Timonium, MD (WYPR, 88.1 FM)

A More Effective Presentation (October 31, 2004)
This was very thought-provoking. The Bonhoeffer documentary film should be shown in schools and in the media with good publicity so that our young people and average persons could see the message. Most of world problems are connected with religion in some way. Our scriptures are teaching us to love and stand up for justice, but we do not hear the message. A documentary might be more effective in conveying the message.

Saroj Kapur
East Lansing, MI (WUOM, 91.7 FM)

Bonhoeffer's Lutheran Background (October 31, 2004)
A wonderful program on Bonhoeffer. I wonder why in the course of the program it was never mentioned that Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran. His theology grows out of a deep immersion in the Lutheran confessional tradition and Luther himself. I think that would have added to the program's depth. Also, I think Bonhoeffer's efforts on behalf of the Jews could have been made more clearly. He is regarded by many, but not by Israeli authorities, as a Righteous Gentile.

Richard Koenig
Cromwell, CT (WNPR, 89.1 FM)

Compliments from a Jogger (October 31, 2004)
Today I was jogging at 3:15 pm wearing my Walkman radio. By coincidence, I tuned into WOSU and was delighted with the Speaking of Faith program about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. What an absolute joyful "jog" I had as I listened to your program and marvelled at both the quality of Krista's questioning and discussion as well as, certainly, Mr. Doblmeier's information and insights about Bonhoeffer.

I will hope to purchase a tape copy of the program so as to share with others, which may encourage their interest in the program. This is simply to let you know how very much I enjoyed this today. Thank you for the subject and the excellent presentation.

Bernie Schlueter
Dublin, OH (WOSU, 820 AM)

Applicable to Our Current Situation (October 31, 2004)
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and challenging program this morning on Bonhoeffer. I am rarely up sufficiently early on a Sunday morning to hear Speaking of Faith but happened to be today and was pleasantly surprised by the depth and quality of the reflections on Bonhoeffer's life and writings. I was particularly struck by the comments about "peace being the opposite of security" and the role of the church during a time of war — and the thoughtful way these ideas were applied to this country's current situation — namely war in Iraq. No one else is talking about these issues in this way; I salute you for it.

Kate Ingleby
Wilmington, DE (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Bonhoeffer and Existentialism (October 31, 2004)
Thank you for the wonderful program on Martin Doblmeier's interview and the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It sure brings forth the similarities between the rise of the fascist regime and the church during the 1930's, and the fascist leanings of our current government and how they are using the church to promote their agenda. It has been extremely difficult to find a church in my area that is committed to the true teachings of Jesus, and is willing to stand against the horrendous acts of the Bush administration. I see our country slipping into an unjust and uncaring direction with the church sticking its head in the sand in order to survive. It is sad and very disappointing that we have not learned from the tragedies of the past.

Roben Voigt
Hilltown, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Did God Save Bonhoeffer? (October 31, 2004)
Your shows are thought-provoking, educational, and pose challenging questions. I have a question about Dietrich Bonhoeffer's death and God's will. You asked how and whether God's will was revealed. I wonder to what extent Bonhoeffer's salvation and God's hand were present in the later death of Hitler. Bonhoeffer agonized so greatly over his action, but felt compelled to carry on with his plot, because of his theology. I have wondered to what extent did God save him from the act of committing murder and absolve him from any sin through his execution. It may sound like an archaic question, nonetheless, I find God's hand and will awesomely present in Bonhoeffer's final chapter. I think Bonhoeffer's redemption came at the end of disaster… and is a reflection of the hope we find in God.

Teresa Detrich
Indianapolis, IN (WFYI, 90.1 FM)

Kudos to American Public Media and NPR (October 31, 2004)
A very important and powerful program on the Christian faith which is so much needed today. NPR [American Public Media] has done a very laudable thing in making this programming available to its audience. Martin Doblmeier did an excellent expose of Bonhoeffer in his movie.

Robert McCabe
Rockaway, NY (WNPR, 89.1 FM)

The Bravery of Bonhoeffer (August 24, 2003)
I was very moved by the bravery of Bonhoeffer and those who helped him in his efforts to stop Hitler. I worry that there are people on both sides of the "war on terrorism" that are invoking "God" as being on their side. People in our U.S. government who label anyone who does not agree with the way our government behaves towards peoples and governments around the world are sending very dangerous messages, both to our citizens and people in other parts of the world.

I believe Bonhoeffer would counsel us to consider how our actions and speech affect others perception of us and act accordingly in order to promote peace on earth. Thank you for your thoughtful discussions.

Armida H. Brashears
Huntington Beach, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)

The Cost of Discipleship (August 24, 2003)
The discussion of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life and resistance to the rise of Adolf Hitler made me think about The Cost of Discipleship. When I was a child, sometime after my first communion, I dreamed I was kneeling before a statue of the Blessed Virgin and praying that she would make me invulnerable and then I would dedicate myself and my new powers to her service. It was childish of course. I knew even then that following Jesus was going to be dangerous business, and I wanted guarantees. I wanted to be sure I would succeed and I wanted to be certain that God wouldn't let me down.

With Bonhoeffer, it was very different. A tactician in military and political science probably could have foreseen that Hitler would lead the nation to disaster and probably kill himself in the end rather than be captured when the defenses finally collapsed. He or she could probably guess that the other leaders of the Reich would kill each other or would be captured by the Allies.

But what does a Christian do? Hide out until after Armageddon and emerge unscathed from hiding? But what kind of witness is that? Bonhoeffer's witness, failures, and the fact that he sealed his faithfulness with his death has been an inspiration to the generations of Christians all over the world. Bonhoeffer's weakness was the weakness of Christ who allowed himself to be tried and executed because when he rose from the dead it would be clear that God's power alone brings about salvation, not "the world nor the flesh."

So now I remember the boy who dreamed he would be commissioned a knight. Who I am, weaknesses included, is the person that Christ redeemed on the Cross. In this weakness I confess God is my strength and I find the face of his son in the poor and even the haters.

Steven John Bosch
Floral Park, NY (WNYC, 820 AM)