Ethics

By Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Eberhard (editor) Bonhoeffer, Dietrich) Bethge

Book Overview

Ethics is the culmination of Dietrich Bonhoeffers theological and personal odyssey and one of the most important works of Christian ethics of the last century. Using the acclaimed Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works English translation and adapted to a more accessible format, this new edition features an insightful introduction by Clifford Green and supplemental material from Victoria J. Barnett.

Written in the midst of the conspiracy to overthrow the Hitler regime, it is nonetheless chiefly concerned with ethics for the postwar time of reconstruction and peace. Though caught up in the vortex of momentous forces in the Nazi period, Bonhoeffer systematically envisioned a radically Christocentric, incarnational ethic for a postwar world, purposefully recasting Christians relation to history, politics, and public life. Focused on Christ, the God who became human, and the vision of a world reconciled with God, Ethics shuns abstraction, seeks the will of God in concrete historical reality, and calls the church to be a transforming community in the world with a new responsibility to public life.

This edition allows all readers to appreciate the cogency and relevance of Bonhoeffers vision.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1506402720
• ISBN13: 9781506402727
• Release Date: November 2015
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Length: 370 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

The Complete Edition

Ethics is a difficult work to encounter, largely because the work was unfinished when Bonhoeffer was arrested and imprisoned. Most versions of Ethics require an editor to arrange the manuscripts into a coherent whole - but this being the "Works" edition includes all of the information (including notes about context and translation from German) surrounding the writing of the Ethics manuscript. This is the version to get if you want "completeness", in-depth discussion, or research purposes (the volume contains an exhaustive bibliography) but it might not be for the casual reader that wants an overview of Bonhoeffer's formulation of ethics. (Otherwise, you might not understand why you are reading a chapter titled "History and Good" twice!)

Ethics - More than just about theories for ethical living.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book on "Ethics" reveals an underlying message that runs deeper than just a "how to" guide on ethical behavior. This message is that Jesus Christ was more than a prophet, enlightened man, or guide for life. Namely, that Christ, the "I AM" and Adonai Elohim revealed in God's Word is our personal savior from sin and the only key to eternal life with God. This book has weaved within the surface of conscious law the free redemptive work of Christ as payment for the sin of the world, and our resulting praise in ethical living no longer demanded by God, but now offered in thanks to Him. If you are looking for an enhanced understanding of our position in God's spiritual kingdom while on earth, then this book offers a marvelous insight into that ethical position by bringing us to know God's immeasurable love for mankind.

Ethical Living

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a rare individual. He transcended the human plane as he practiced what he taught. This is his last writing, and it is unfinished because he was executed in prison for living the ethics he preached. In this book, Bonhoeffer states, "Ethics as formation, then, means the bold endeavor to speak about the way in which the form of Jesus Christ takes form in our world, in a manner which is neither abstract nor casuistic, neither programmatic nor purely speculative." Partly because his theology would not allow a speculative ethic, Bonhoeffer returned from the safety of New York City to a Germany ruled by the insanity called National Socialism. There, he became a leader, along with Martin Niemueller and Karl Barth, in the "bekennende Kirche" opposing National Socialism and an advocate on behalf of Jewish People. His efforts earned him imprisonment in 1943. As the Second European War (1939-1945) came to a close, Bonhoeffer was hanged until dead in the concentration camp at Flossenburg. Dietrich Bonoeffer understood the cost of discipleship. I think that this book has something to offer people who have faith, regardless of creed. It is written by someone of strong convictions, and is inspiring to me as I develop my own ethical standards. It is not easy to develop a spiritual relationship in a temporal world. Reading "Ethics" increased my resolve and desire to try. If you are interested in learning about Christianity and ethics from someone who lived what he taught, this book will be interesting to you.