New York City, N.Y., Jul 25, 2010 / 06:07 am
Discussing his recent and critically acclaimed book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer – the famed Lutheran theologian who was killed in the 1940s for opposing Nazism – author Eric Metaxas spoke to CNA in an interview, calling the pastor a man of “staggering” relevance for our time.
The late German theologian is the subject of Metaxas' recent work, “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy,” which was published in April.
Speaking with CNA via e-mail, the author reflected on the relevance of Bonhoeffer's life and writings in contemporary society. He noted Bonhoeffer’s “extremely pro-Catholic” stance and refuted common misconceptions by “liberal theologians” who have “hijacked” the pastor's writings in support of atheism.
Addressing the significance of Bonhoeffer to the lives of modern Americans, Metaxas explained that there are “powerful parallels” between how “the American government is today trying to bully the church on certain issues of sexuality,” as well as “abortion and euthanasia and stem-cell research.”