Victoria Barnett: Dietrich Bonhoeffer & Our Times

Jan 30, 2025

Victoria Barnett, an esteemed historian of the Holocaust and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, shares profound insights into Bonhoeffer's life during Nazi Germany. She discusses his moral dilemmas, including his role in the ecumenical movement and the assassination plots against Hitler. The conversation highlights Bonhoeffer's struggle against tyranny and how his reflections remain relevant today. Barnett also demythologizes his legacy, emphasizing collective resistance among clergy and the intricate responsibilities of the church to navigate modern ethical challenges.

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ANECDOTE

Bonhoeffer's Abwehr Role

Bonhoeffer returned to Germany from the US in 1939, wanting to avoid military service.
He joined the Abwehr (German military intelligence) under a fabricated role, claiming to spy for Germany using his foreign contacts.

INSIGHT

Bonhoeffer's Resistance Activities

Bonhoeffer's Abwehr role involved conveying messages and meeting with resistance groups within Germany, violating a deal made with the Gestapo.
Under interrogation, Bonhoeffer revealed information about Hans Oster after threats were made against Maria von Wedemeyer.

INSIGHT

Ethics and Moral Complexity

While working on his Ethics manuscript, Bonhoeffer was surrounded by moral complexities, such as forced laborers at the monastery where he stayed.
This context shaped his writing and highlighted the ethical dilemmas of the time.

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How does one read the signs of the times? What does it mean to resist? How do we engage faithfully in the struggle? Dietrich Bonhoeffer has achieved iconic status as one who epitomizes what it means to struggle and resist tyranny and fascism and how one acts in faithful witness as a religious and political commitment. Bonhoeffer‘s witness and example is more relevant than ever. In this episode, I am joined by the preeminent historian of the Holocaust and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dr. Victoria Barnett. Jeffrey Pugh and I got to talk to her multiple times throughout our work for the Rise of Bonhoeffer, and our last conversation was so rich that I couldn't help but share it here. Our discussion focuses on a crucial essay penned by Bonhoeffer in 1942; "After Ten Years" is a succinct and sober reflection and remains one of the best descriptions ever written about what happened to the German people under National Socialism. We also let Vicki demythologize some popular ahistorical attributions around Bonhoeffer's life.

Victoria J. Barnett served from 2004-2014 as one of the general editors of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, the English translation series of Bonhoeffer’s complete works. She has lectured and written extensively about the Holocaust, particularly about the role of the German churches. In 2004 she began directing the Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum until her retirement. Her published works include Bystanders: Conscience and Complicity during the Holocaust (1999) and For the Soul of the People: Protestant Protest against Hitler (1992). This conversation centers around her translation and significant introduction and historical analysis of Bonhoeffer's "After Ten Years": Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Our Times.

Check out the Bonhoeffer Audi-Documentary series - the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here.

Garrett Theological Seminary sponsored this episode. Seminary education isn’t just for pastors. Social awareness of the world’s most pressing problems, robust ethical analysis, empathic biblical wisdom, and courageous leadership are skills you can use across a wide range of vocations. Whether you feel called to care and counseling, public service, prophetic arts, or non-profit management, there’s a degree program at Garrett Seminary that’s right for you. Our global faculty and diverse student body nurture class discussions that reflect the contextual realities in the communities you’ll serve, and our commitment to hands-on learning means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put that knowledge to use. Located in the heart of Northwestern’s campus, just a short train ride from Chicago, let our city be your training ground. Garrett also offers fully online and hybrid programs. So wherever and whoever you are, apply to begin your fulfilling new career today. Learn more here.

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