University of Virginia Library

Theologian Depicts Bonhoeffer
As German Christian Activist

By MIKE RANNEBERGER

Director of the Evangelische
Akademie, Berlin, Pastor Winfried
Maechler, presented a moving account of
his friendship with famed German
theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer
yesterday.

According to Mr. Maechler,
Bonhoeffer offers an image that
contradicts the typical American
stereotype of the militaristic German.

"This humanist influenced his students
in a practical way towards a view of
Christianity which emphasizes a balance
of secular involvement with spiritual
detachment," Mr. Maechler said.

"Above all," he stated, "Bonhoeffer
stressed the need for Christian witness, to
merit God's costly grace." He added that,
"through an active teaching role
Bonhoeffer motivated his students."

Bonhoeffer formed a close friendship
with an atheistic nephew of Molotov
while he was imprisoned under Hitler for
his opposition to the National Socialists.

During the war years Bonhoeffer
founded a "training school" to foster
Christianity in the midst of Hitler s
secular state. Mr. Maechler lived with the
theologian "as brothers together."

Bonhoeffer taught his students how to
pray, meditate and see "the human face
of God," Mr. Maechler said.

They also learned honesty and the
nature of self-discipline. "Discipline is
always a force against oneself," he said.

Bonhoeffer spoke eloquently against
those Germans who bent the church to
suit the Nazi state.

CD/Saxon Holt

Winfried Maechler

Bonhoeffer Contradicts Stereotype

Although Bonhoeffer spoke strong
in favor of Christian meekness and their
duty to be peacemakers, Maechler noted,
he ended by endorsing political resistance
to Hitler.

Mr. Maechler placed this problem of
Christian non-violence in the context of
America's involvement with the Vietnam
War and argues that society can be
changed only through the impact of
Christian commitment.

Both Mr. Maechler and Bonhoeffer have
been deeply influenced by the famous
Christian theorist Karl Barth.