wfn.org | F[ENS] Celebrating Bonhoeffer: Documentary airs February 6,

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Celebrating Bonhoeffer
Documentary airs February 6, 10 p.m. ET on PBS

By Jerry Hames

ENS 012606-1

[Episcopal News Service] Martin Doblmeier, director of the critically
acclaimed documentary Bonhoeffer, says the German theologian's struggle
against Nazism leading up to and during World War II speaks to every
Christian today who struggles with how to respond to evil and to
understand
at a deep level the cost of following God.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the first clear voices to be raised against
Adolf Hitler and the rise of Nazism, eventually was arrested for his
participation in the resistance and a plot to kill Hitler, imprisoned
and at
the age of 39 executed, just weeks before the war's end.

"In the world of religion and spirituality, Bonhoeffer is clearly one of
the
most inspiring writers of the 20th century," said Doblmeier. "And his
life
and work continue to have universal appeal.

"Conservative Christians are attracted because Bonhoeffer was so
Christ-centered and Bible-based. The progressive wing of the church is
attracted to his commitment to social justice. In our language of today,
he
was a man who not only 'talked the talk,' but walked the walk."

Nazis used religious imagery

Doblmeier's film, which first appeared in theaters across the country in
2004, explores several themes, including how the German church fell in
line
behind Hitler, hoping to regain stature in the new German order. Another
shows how the Nazis used religious language, symbols and imagery in
their
rise to power.

One dramatic scene shows Hitler in public prayer, imploring God to bless
the
cause of the German people. Doblmeier said archival footage with images
of
swastika flags flying in churches and pastors giving the Nazis salute
were
unforgettable images for him.

The film mixes archival footage with interviews with his family,
friends,
former students and theologians. Bonhoeffer's words are read by actor
Klaus
Maria Brandauer (Out of Africa).

Archbishop Desmond Tutu recognized Bonhoeffer as a role model for the
church
of South Africa in its struggle against apartheid. "It's so easy to be
sucked in by the structures," said the Nobel Laureate. "To be sucked in,
too, by a false kind of loyalty and ending up with a false church."

Doblmeier sees the film as a story of faith, he said. "The heart of the
story is this young, brilliant theologian trying to understand what is
the
will of God in the midst of a world torn apart by anger and hate.
Through
his own writings and in books and letters (Cost of Discipleship and
Letters
and Papers from Prison), and through the eye-witness accounts of his
family
and closest friends, you can feel Bonhoeffer's struggle to understand
what
God is calling him to do.

"He seems to be always questioning himself and his constant prayer is
that
he will have the inner strength to what do is asked of him."

For more on Bonhoeffer and for parish and school resources, visit:
http://www.pbs.org/bonhoeffer.html

-- Jerry Hames is editor of Episcopal Life.

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