Feature Story from 2024
The descendants of German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was executed by the Nazis just weeks before their surrender, are furious that his name and his views are being misrepresented for right-wing political causes in the US.
They also voiced concern over a movie based on his life that was released in American cinemas only, in November.
Baptist News Global reported a letter written by 86 of the 100 adult descendants of Pastor Bonhoeffer’s brothers and sisters begins: “We are horrified to see how the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is increasingly being distorted and misused by right-wing extremists, xenophobes and religious agitators.”
“As direct descendants of the seven siblings of the theologian and resistance fighter executed by the Nazis, we can testify based on what we learned from our families, that he was a peace-loving, freedom-loving humanitarian.”
“Never would he have seen himself associated with far-right, violent movements such as Christian nationalists and others who are trying to appropriate him today. On the contrary, he would have strongly and loudly condemned these attitudes.”
Their letter was published just weeks before the release of a movie titled Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. which has also upset the family:
“The right-wing evangelical production company Angel Studios has secured the rights to a new Bonhoeffer movie, and this is now their advertisement on X: The battle against tyranny begins now. Watch Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. The accompanying image shows Dietrich Bonhoeffer holding a gun. The history-distorting biopic turns Bonhoeffer into an evangelical saint,” the family letter asserted.
“Dietrich Bonhoeffer was not a lone fighter. The Bonhoeffer family was a tight-knit unit and worked together closely during this time. Dietrich’s brother Klaus and his brothers-in-law Hans von Dohnanyi and Rüdiger Schleicher were executed for their resistance activities, just like Dietrich,” the letter continued.
“They were driven by the search for truth, honesty, humanity and the struggle for freedom, the rule of law and democracy. They repudiated religious zealotry, nationalism, militarism and blind obedience. Those who invoke Dietrich Bonhoeffer to justify anti-democratic, xenophobic aspirations are either misinformed or malicious.”
The family warned that the theologian’s “quotes have been taken out of context and reduced to set pieces for all kinds of occasions.”
“More recently, they have increasingly been used by many whose intentions are diametrically opposed to Bonhoeffer’s thoughts and actions; ranging from Project 2025 — the Heritage Foundation’s proposed program for [President-elect Donald] Trump — to the German right-wing extremist Björn Höcke.”
A number of Bonhoeffer scholars have also signed letters denouncing the theologian’s American biographer Eric Metaxas whose book that sold more than a million copies was titled Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.
The scholars also accused so-called Christian nationalists of twisting the theologian’s writings to serve their cause.
They wrote during the final weeks of the US presidential election campaign: “From Project 2025 to violent political rhetoric, the legacy of German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer is being invoked this election season on behalf of Christian nationalism. It is a dangerous and grievous misuse of his theology and life. As an international group of Bonhoeffer scholars, we warn against it.”
The family letter concludes: “At a time when intolerance, antisemitism and other forms of racism and xenophobia, nationalism and authoritarianism are on the rise around the world, we believe it is important to clarify publicly: Dietrich Bonhoeffer fought narrow-mindedness, oppression, and exclusion throughout his life.”
“The abuse of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s legacy by Christian nationalists and others is of such cynicism that we are unlikely to convince these demagogues.”
“But we call on American voters in particular: Do not be deceived. Look carefully at history. Only by working together, in the spirit of freedom and concern for others, will we be able to solve our problems. This is what Dietrich Bonhoeffer stands for.”
The movie Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. grossed a modest A$18 million at the box office in the first six weeks since its release in the US.
It opened to mixed reviews by both cinemagoers and critics with the majority of the public giving positive responses.
It’s not due to screen in Australia until the first week of March.
Image: Angel Studios (From Movie — Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.)
