Bonhoeffer in London

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Though Bonhoeffer was in London from 1933 to 1935, he spent much of his time involved in the church struggle. Basically there was the Reich Church which was the official church and then there were various oppositions all trying to hold together as the Confessing Church.

It might help to say that both sides in the conflict were afraid of falling into the nature of "American free churches." Germany, since Luther, saw the pastors as civil servants. The government supported the work of the church (and likewise). Again this can be easy for some of us from America to write-off and easily reject, but it is important, if we are try and understand the struggles of this time, to try and accept it and understand all that was happening within this context.

It appears from Bethge's biography that most people saw the battle as primarily within the church, the church struggle. However, there were plenty outside of the church ... many Prussians, who had major concerns over the new government and its actions.

Perhaps because Bonhoeffer was so connected to his family who was not involved in the church struggle, but in the struggle beyond, the struggle with the new government itself. (Not that the conspiracy was happening at this point, but there was much concern about the character of Hitler and the people he surrounded himself with). So soon after he arrived in London he wrote to his friend Edwin Sutz:
although I am working with all my might for the church opposition, it is perfectly clear to me that this opposition is only a very temporary transition to an opposition of a very different kind, and that very few of those engaged in this preliminary skirmish will be part of the next struggle. And I believe the whole of Christendom should pray with us that it will be a 'resistance unto death,' and that the people will be found to suffer it. Simply suffering--that is what will be needed then--not parries, blows or thrusts such as may still be possible or admissable in the preliminary fight; the real struggle that perhaps lies ahead must simply be to suffer faithfully, and then, then perhaps God will once more confess his church with his Word. . ."
Bonhoeffer was also aware, when there was hope that Hitler himself would aid the confessing church in their opposition by either stating the Confessing church's right to be an official church within Germany or siding with them, Bonhoeffer said: "We shall be converted, not Hitler."

It was these considerations and Bonhoeffer's interest in the Sermon on the Mount that causes his great interest in visiting India and learning directly from Gandhi. I will write more about this next post.

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