Letters and Papers from Prison

It's impossible to write a review that can, in any way, describe the depth and intensity of this book. It merits a review of each letter. It is listed in Terry Glaspey's Great Books of the Christian Tradition. It is a collection of letters to and from the great martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer during his two-year imprisonment prior to his hanging in April 1945. The letters express a vast range of thought and emotion. In a few letters, he does express complex theological ideas, but in most of them, it is profoundly readable as he expresses what it means to be human in a difficult situation. He acknowledged the revelation that the Christian life is not lived in theological work or in contemplation or meditation, but in the ups and downs of daily human life. Much of it is difficult to read not only because of the angst it produces but also because of the tears in the reader's eyes make it difficult to see the words on the page. As I have tried to say, the breadth of thought is too great to summarize in a review, but it was notable to me that he stated that he was no longer certain that the ideas he expressed in his book "The Cost of Discipleship" were valid. In the early days, he said that he read the Psalms every day and was reading the Bible straight through. He often quoted Scripture or referred to passages, testifying to his love of and value for the Bible, a Book that too many people deprive themselves of altogether, even though they are free and not confined in prison. He said that he believed that his time in prison was not wasted though he did not know what would come of it. He wrote, "I believe that nothing that happens to me is meaningless, and that it is good for us all that it should be so, even if it runs counter to our own wishes. As I see it, I'm here for some purpose, and I only hope I may fulfill it." Of course, his letters themselves present a unique view of what it means to live as a Christian in the most horrible circumstances imaginable. He often said that his fellow prisoners and the guards found him calm and pleasant, while he often felt anything but that inside. He was depressed, happy, lonely, content in solitude, crabby, compassionate. The entire spectrum of human life and feeling is expressed through these letters in a way that could never occur in a formal theology book. And in a sense, he expressed in a simple, straightforward way the thoughts of humankind about life. It is very simple and very profound and heartbreaking, all at the same time. This is a book not to be missed.

A very enlightening book, and a shocking book. Christians frequently quote sections from "The Cost of Discipleship", re: "cheap grace", however I bet they won't be quoting this much ! It's also a very personal book. While Bonhoeffer continued to the end to speak in the letters to his parents in traditional terms, the letters to his friend betray a continuing radical shift in his thinking from any conceivable traditional position in Christianity. I am left to wonder whether he even actually intellectually assented to a personal god, in the end. If his god is irrelevant, as he states, then why discuss that god at all ? (Igtheism ?) Very interesting, (and comforting actually) that Dietrich was not, in general, in any way tortured, and in fact grew to love his solitude, and the time it gave him to think and write. There is no way anyone could maintain that his mental faculties were diminished by the prison experience. I wish I had read this a LONG time ago.

Having read Dietdrich Bonhoeffer's "The cost of discipleship" many times and still reading from it daily, I just HAD to get his "Letters from prison". I got is under "Used books". It arrived lightning-fast, and it is virtually brandnew, unread, at just over two dollars. How wonderful. Thank you Goodwill and seller!

It was over 50 years since I had read "Letters and Papers from Prison" and somewhere along the line my copy must have been loaned to someone and went missing. However, it was the original shorter edition containing only the letters from Dietrich to his good friend Eberhard. This expanded edition also contains most of his letters to his family members and his fiance. I am so glad I got this edition. It is the only way to see Bonhoeffer's depth of thought, his struggles with his conscience as to whether a Christian pacifist (himself) can justify participating in the assassination of Hitler. He also goes into depth about his suggestion for a "non-religious Christianity."You will also trace his wrestling with his prison life, and where it might lead. HOWEVER, I highly recommend that before you read LPP that you read Chapter 13 of Bethge's Biography of Bonhoeffer. Unless you do you will get the impression that he thinks his case will be resolved quickly. His letters to his family members often sound optomistic and up-beat, which is far from the truth. His family knew full well his case would probably end up with his execution, but Bonhoeffer wrote to them in a code that they would understand which gave them a much darker expectation. For instance, he often mentions the health of "Uncle Rudy." "Uncle Rudy" is the code for the war raging throughout Germany. There are many such codes in his letters to family which are given so they will pass the Nazi censors. These codes are well explained in Chapter 13 of Bethge's Biography. Many of the letters to Bethge (he was a seminary student years earlier taught by Bonhoeffer) were smuggled out of the prison and bypassed the censors, that's why their content is so much bleaker.If you want to understand Bonhoeffer at all you must at least read "Letters and Papers from Prison" and then surely read "The Cost of Discipleship."

Have not finished reading it but anything Bonhoeffer wrote is well worth reading.

VERY CHALLENGING BOOK. IT CHALLENGES YOUR PROFESSION OF FAITH IN CHRIST. IT ASKS HOW FAR ARE YOU WILLING TO GO? NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED.

Add this to your reading short list, esp if you desire to better understand what people face under Nazi injustice . Dense, yet impactful. Bonhoeffer never quit on God. His letters provide intelligent hope that persecution does not have the final say.

Collection of letters from Dietrich while incarcerated in Prison in the 1940s in Germany. Covers wide range of topics from relationships (The Marriage Sermon), managing hardships in isolation. Minces no words in talking about the issues in theology and religion's relation to the modern world. The most important piece of writing for me though - is the discussion about the true meaning of Christianity, about the concept of a Suffering God instead of an all powerful God.

A great read and a good paperback book.

There is much to explore as one reads this book. I referred to his biography and the Bible due to his many references. The introduction was valuable to explain that his writing was censured before release. The importance of the little things in life were interesting - - the birds, the sky, the feel of fresh air. His persistence with a discipline daily - - prayer, Bible reading, exercise, were impressive.A good book to read and read again.

A wonderful study book for a theology student of over 60 years and a divine inspiration.

Obviously very personal but also a great book on certain theological discussions. Really enjoyed it! Read it and some other of his books for my dissertation and very much enjoyed the process of studying his work.