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Homebrewed Christianity

Bonhoeffer in America: the Call Beyond Nationalism

Oct 5, 2024
Reggie L. Williams, an Associate Professor and author, joins prominent Bonhoeffer scholars Lori Brandt Hale, Stephen Haynes, and Gary Dorrien for an enlightening discussion. They explore Bonhoeffer's transformative year in New York City, where he moved from a nationalist mindset to a commitment to social justice and discipleship. His experiences within the Harlem Renaissance and the Abyssinian Baptist Church profoundly reshaped his theological views, emphasizing love, solidarity, and the importance of community amidst societal suffering.
58:38

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Quick takeaways

  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer's year at Union Theological Seminary catalyzed a shift from nationalist views to a love-based, ecumenical understanding of Christianity.
  • His engagement with the Harlem Renaissance and African American experiences redefined his concept of discipleship as a commitment to social justice and solidarity.

Deep dives

Transformation through Encounter

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's time at Union Theological Seminary marked a significant transformation in his understanding of Christianity. Initially, he arrived with nationalist views shaped by his German context but was exposed to a more ecumenical and love-based faith. Through friendships with students like Jean Lassere, a French pacifist, and African American peers, he began to reevaluate his previous beliefs. This shift led him to embrace the importance of active love and an ethics rooted in real, lived experiences rather than abstract doctrines.

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