Success Might Have Meant Failure (February 8, 2006)
I enjoy your show greatly. You commented that the failed attempts on Hitler's life might show God was not on the side of Bonhoeffer and that the good guys didn't win (please excuse the paraphrasing). Had they succeeded, though, Germany may have won the war. I believe Hitler decided to add the Eastern front rather than remain allies with the Russians. This decision was followed by the worst winter in 40 years (God?) and a demoralization of his army which could have been better utilized winning Africa and the oil he needed. He also put a halt to atomic weapon research. The Germans did develop the V1 and V2 which nearly ended England even without atomic warheads. I believe he also decided to stop bombing British air fields to attack London instead. It is my understanding that had they continued with the air fields as targets for one more week, the Luftwaffe would have had complete dominance over British air space and overwhelmed the Brits. I do not believe in a tribal God, but perhaps things did work out. I am writing this in English, not German.

Kent Osborn
Atlanta, GA (WABE, 90.1 FM)

Who Is the "Good Guy?" (February 10, 2006)
Like many of the reflections I read on your Web page, I am concerned with the religiosity of the current presidential administration. One of your reflections asked about a comparison between Bonhoeffer and bin Laden. From my viewpoint, they are not the same. However, who holds the moral "right?" Could not someone look upon the actions of al Qaeda as those of righteousness?

I'm currently reading Jimmy Carter's book, Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis. I wonder if you've considered interviewing former President Carter? He writes about many of the issues raised in your program on Bonhoeffer, as well as those raised by other listeners who have commented on this program. He speaks very clearly about the problems of church and state becoming too closely intertwined. The current president of our country uses way too many "moral" arguments, and too often talks about God being on our side for my taste, and I'm personally very worried about the connections between Republicans and fundamentalist Christians.

As always, thank you for an excellent program. They are always quite thought-provoking. I wish I had more of a chance to converse with others (in person, not via the Internet) regarding matters you raise in your programs.

Bob Stevenson
Escalante, UT (KUSU, 91.5 FM)

A Program on Steiner (February 10, 2006)
I heard your segment on Bonhoeffer this past weekend and thought it might be interesting to hear a segment on Rudolf Steiner, who was a contemporary of Bonhoeffer's and also was trying to figure out the correct way to deal with Hitler from a spiritual standpoint. My husband and I really enjoy your program. Thanks.

Ronnie Ratliff
Hibbing, MN (WIRN, 92.5 FM)

Gethsemani (February 6, 2006)
Listening to the podcast of your show on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it seems to me that he faced his own personal Gethsemani. It's a question we all should ponder. Would each of us have the strength and the grace to "be there in the morning, knowing what the day would bring"?

Ken Bell
Cucamonga, CA (Listens to the SOF Podcast)

The Difference Between Bonhoeffer and bin Laden (February 6, 2006)
I would like to know if someone can do a compare and contrast between Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Osama bin Laden. I'm pretty sure someone or other is going to take offense to this, but my intentions are not to flame bait, but to truly understand the convictions of two totally different people. To start let me say:

1. Both of them are religiously trained.
2. They both strongly believed that their/"other" government was doing something very wrong.
3. They both tried to kill the "Evil Doers" who are much much larger than themselves.
4. Both of them failed in their attempts and hunted down.

Shiv Viswanathan
Cincinnati, OH (WVXU, 91.7 FM)

If Bonhoeffer Met Gandhi (February 5, 2006)
I enjoyed very much the show I heard this morning about Dietrich Bonhoeffer in honor of his birth in 1906. I heard Krista say that Bonhoeffer had "even gone to India" to work with Mahatma Gandhi. According to my reading, although he very much wanted to make a trip to India, Bonhoeffer never was able to follow through with those plans. I have often asked myself if or how things might have turned out differently if he actually had been able to spend a few weeks or months with Gandhi in India.

Lisa Ohm
St. Cloud, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

Bonhoeffer's Assassination Attempt (February 5, 2006)
In the book, The Dead Zone, by Stephen King, the protagonist, Johnny Smith asks the question, "If you could, would you assassinate Adolph Hitler?" My friends and I have discussed this at length, and though most people say "yes," I say "no." I say "no" for two reasons. The first is the most obvious, the commandment that tells us not to kill and that Jesus teaches us to treat others like we want to be treated. The end never justifies the means. The other is this: if Adolph Hitler had been assassinated, Germany may very well have won the war. Adolph Hitler made the disastrous decision to open the second front against Russia against the advice of all his generals. He continued to interfere with military decisions to the demise of his cause. It could seem that the failed assassination attempts pointed to divine intervention, but ultimately Hitler's survival lost the war.

Catherine Savela
Lake Linden, MI (WGGL, 91.1 FM)

Holocaust Victims (February 5, 2006)
On today's show, you stated that the Nazis killed six million Jews plus hundreds of thousand others. You thus minimize the full impact of the Holocaust. Historians note that there were 11 million victims of the Holocaust: "The Nazis systematically killed millions of other people whom Hitler regarded as racially inferior or politically dangerous. The largest groups included Germans with physical handicaps or mental retardation, Roma (sometimes called Gypsies), and Slavs, particularly Poles and Soviet prisoners of war. Nazi victims also included many homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, priests and ministers, members of labor unions, and Communists and other political opponents." (Source: World Book Encyclopedia) Bonhoeffer was obviously one of the later.

Barbara Ransom
Philadelphia, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

The Only Moral Option (February 5, 2006)
In response to the comment that Bonhoeffer's attempts to assassinate Hitler repeatedly failed, Krista quite properly asked how Bonhoeffer might have felt about the apparent fact that Hitler was winning: "Was God on Hitler's side?" Astonishingly, guest Martin Doblmeier replied that Bonhoeffer was not about winning, but about faith, thereby establishing how completely he misunderstands everything Bonhoeffer stood for and believed. With six million Jews and many others being systematically murdered, Bonhoeffer knew that the only moral choice was to stop the murderer in order to stop the murder. It was not enough to pray, not enough to profess his faith. The only moral option was to take action — and winning, losing, are not incidental categories.

Yosi Gordon
St. Paul, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

Speak of Love (February 5, 2006)
"Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentleman wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" The passion of speech provoking the secure to leave their grind stone. To die for romantic vision? To fulfill a hazy notion of progress? The proof of beauty lives in man's actions. Bonhoeffer, beginning to end, were mind and heart at the service of his brethren! Rock on! "O Grave! where is thy victory?" Imagine you stumble out into the courtyard and your messiah is midway through the flogging. Is the value of your character not more important than the success you believe in for yourself? The romantic conviction of faith must tremble in the lives of man, lest he learn to step like a goose. If not in humility then we seduce for our own demise. Substituting affirmation for identification is neither faith nor love; it is consumption and death. Life is but a dream.

Douglas Stuart
Cheshire, CT (WNPR, 89.1 FM)

The 1930s as an Example (February 5, 2006)
Thank you for introducing many to the wonderful man, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We all must look at the days of 1930s as an example of what can happen when we let such leaders run the country. More people must stand up for peace and freedom today. I wish some power can come forward to save the United States now. This is a great program.

Gertrude Hinson
Baltimore, MD (WYPR, 88.1 FM)

Assassination of Hitler a Good Thing? (February 4, 2006)
Although I missed the middle part of your broadcast, I heard no one reflect on whether the assassination of Adolf Hitler was a prudent act in July of 1944. It would have been good, much earlier. It seems to me that during the war years, Hitler was one of the best things going for the Allies. This was especially true in the case of his willingness to go to war against Russia and his suspicion of atomic research as a form of "Jewish science." There were other weapons in which the development of which Hitler's prejudices interfered. The length of conspirators was lengthy. Probably most of them were motivated out of patriotism, unlike Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer, then, would have been colluding with the wrong people…

Ken Malpas
Fanwood, NJ (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Reproduction of Letter (February 3, 2006)
Your programs are very inspiring. I would like to share some of your thoughts with my church congregation. I serve in a rural conservative church in Ohio but a wonderful community. I am trying to make them critically think on social issues and draw theologically and spiritually from other religions and cultures. Will it be possible to reproduce some of the texts from your program including Krista's personal reflections to the congregation strictly for educational purposes? Can I reproduce the above letter from Dietrich Bonhoeffer and circulate to the church members to make them think about the true meaning of Christian discipleship? Do I have to take permission from the publishers of the book? We, as a church, do not wish to violate any copyright laws yet I feel some of the thoughts in Speaking of Faith are important to be reproduced to educate the church members. Many thanks for all your help.

Buck Malcolm
New Holland, OH (WOSU, 820 AM)

Bonhoeffer's Religious Ethics (February 2, 2006)
Thank you for discussing the faith of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. As part of my doctoral research, I enjoyed in-depth study of Bonhoeffer's faith, family life and crucial decision-making, working to appreciate the complexity of a living faith in relation to others in the real world. To gain a fair and pragmatic understanding of Bonhoeffer's faith and daily philosophy, I heartily recommend his small but pithy, Life Together. An excellent resource I've read over and over. Keep up the great work!

Joyce J. Millikan
Pasadena, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)

Amazing Grace (September 26, 2005)
I have just been reading a book called Bonhoeffer as Martyr by Craig Slane. The man sounded incredible so I did a Google and found this program. The man according to his students in Berlin took his faith seriously, not just an academic exercise.

Noel Hausler
Beenleigh, Australia (Listens via Web Audio)

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)