Taking Stock of Bonhoeffer: Studies in Biblical Interpretation and Ethics

Bonhoeffer's theology continues to prove richly fruitful in the 21st century. This book gathers together Stephen Plant's scholarly engagement with Bonhoeffer's life and theology over two decades. This collection makes accessible Plant's distinctive perspective on Bonhoeffer's theology, in particular on the key themes of biblical exegesis, ethics and the intimate connections Bonhoeffer discerns between them.

Table of Contents:
Part I Historical Context; Chapter 1 Bonhoeffer and Moltke: Politics and Faith in a Time of Crisis; Chapter 2 An Article Marking the Centenary of Bonhoeffer’s Birth: Faith, Political Duty and One Man’s Costly Grace; Part II Bonhoeffer and the Bible; Chapter 3 How Theologians Decide: German Theologians on the Eve of Nazi Rule 1 This Chapter is based on the 1999 Annual Hartley Lecture at Hartley Victoria College in Manchester. I am grateful to the College for the invitation to give the lecture and to those who asked questions. I am also grateful to the staff of the Institute of Germanic Studies, London, for assistance in the preparation of this Chapter ; Chapter 4 ‘In the Bible it is God who speaks’: Peake and Bonhoeffer on Reading Scripture ; Chapter 5 Guilt and Promise in Bonhoeffer’s ‘Jonah’ 1 This Chapter is a significantly revised version of a paper given in Oxford on 6 January, 2006, at the conference Bonhoeffer’s theology through the lens of his poetry. I am grateful to all who commented on the paper, and in Part Icular to Bernd Wannenwetsch for editorial guidance; Chapter 6 The Evangelisation of Rulers: Bonhoeffer’s Political Theology; Part III Bonhoeffer and Ethics; Chapter 7 Ethics and Materialist Hermeneutics; Chapter 8 The Sacrament of Ethical Reality: Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Ethics for Christian Citizens; Chapter 9 Bonhoeffer’s Interfaith Encounters; Chapter 10 ‘In the Sphere of the Familiar’: Heidegger and Bonhoeffer; Part IV Taking Stock; Chapter 11 Reading Bonhoeffer in Britain;

About the Author :
Stephen Plant has taught theology at the Universities of Cambridge and Durham, and was for 10 years Senior Tutor at Wesley House in the Cambridge Theological Federation. He has edited or written several books including Bonhoeffer (2004). He is co-editor of the 'International Bonhoeffer Interpretations' Series. In 2008 He was awarded the biannual International Bonhoeffer Scholarship by the Stiftung Bonhoeffer Lehrstuhl im Stifterverband fur die Deutsche Wissenschaft, the first Briton to receive the award. He is Vice-President of the International Bonhoeffer Society and co-convenes the Bonhoeffer Section at the American Academy of Religion.

Review :
'...a most valuable harvesting of, and further stimulus to, Bonhoeffer studies and indeed to all contextual theology.' Theology 'In this collection of essays, we have some of the most significant and interesting insights into Bonhoeffer's work available in the English language. One of the world's foremost Bonhoeffer scholars, Stephen Plant offers us for the first time here in one place some of the fruits of almost three decades of engagement with one of the most important theologians of the twentieth century. There is much here for the advanced student of Bonhoeffer as well as the beginner.' Tom Greggs, Professor of Historical and Doctrinal Theology, University of Aberdeen, UK 'This fine collection of essays shows both the variety of important subjects that Dietrich Bonhoeffer touched on and the sensitive interpretation of such topics that Bonhoeffer-scholar Stephen Plant provides for both academia and general readership. A rich encounter with almost three decades of thorough Bonhoeffer research by the author.' Ralf K. Wustenberg, Universitat Flensburg, Germany and St. Edmund's College, Cambridge, UK 'Engaging Bonhoeffer with refreshing critical analysis, Stephen Plant presents a number of creative insights in these stimulating essays, the fruit of long reflection. Two recurrent themes are Bonhoeffer's deep theological engagement with the Bible and his ability to bring this to bear on problems of Christian living in the world - in his own time, and also pertinent in ours. Moving easily among Bonhoeffer's earlier and later work, and between academic and pastoral writings, Plant's readable essays will appeal equally to the scholar and to the general reader seeking a better understanding of Bonhoeffer - the thinker who informed the man of action.' Clifford Green, Executive Director, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, English Edition 'Plant notes how ordinands today spend less time in theological education, and so the gap between Church and "academic" theology widens still further. This is why Bonhoeffer's theology, so interwoven into his life, is desperately needed.' Methodist Recorder