Dietrich Bonhoeffer (German theologian and poet) Add a review

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4 February 1906 – 9 April 1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, neo-orthodox theologian and anti-Nazi dissident who was a key founding member of the Confessing Church. His writings on Christianity's role in the secular world have become widely influential; his 1937 book The Cost of Discipleship is described as a modern classic. Apart from his theological writings, Bonhoeffer was known for his staunch resistance to the Nazi dictatorship, including vocal opposition to Nazi euthanasia program and genocidal persecution of Jews. He was arrested in April 1943 by the Gestapo and imprisoned at Tegel Prison for a year and a half. Later, he was transferred to Flossenbürg concentration camp.

Though many believe Bonhoeffer was accused of being associated with a plot to assassinate Hitler, the actual arrest and court documents show that he was arrested for his involvement in "Operation 7" – which succeeded in saving the lives of first 7 then 14 Jews. He was hanged on 9 April 1945 during the collapse of the Nazi regime.