Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II

and that the solution of human problems cannot be the essential task of the Church.

The Church’s word to the world is the word of the incarnation of God, of the love of God for the world in the sending of His Son, and of God’s judgment upon unbelief. The word of the Church is the call to conversion, the call to belief in the love of God in Christ, and the call to preparation for Christ’s second coming and for the future kingdom of God.⁴⁵⁸

Bonhoeffer articulated a unique and timeless perspective on the relationship between the Church and God. The church is God’s vehicle for redeeming the world, not the world’s vehicle for bringing its problems to God. This perspective is as vital today as ever.

This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations.

—Luke 24:46–47

November 2 Bonhoeffer on Freedom

In 1944 Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote an essay titled, “Stations on the Way to Freedom.” Its message is especially poignant considering his state of imprisonment at the time he wrote it. In this masterful work he addressed the subjects of self-discipline, action, suffering, and death. Each of these will be highlighted over the next several days.

If you set out to seek freedom, you must learn before all things
Mastery over sense and soul, lest your wayward desirings,
Lest your undisciplined members lead you now this way, now that way.
Chaste be your mind and your body, and subject to you and obedient,
Serving solely to seek their appointed goal and objective.
None learns the secret of freedom save only by way of control.⁴⁵⁹

Bonhoeffer presents here an apparent paradox. To be free, we must be in control. This seems contradictory, until we realize the extent to which we can be governed by our passions. When our whims and desires rule our behavior, we are truly imprisoned. When we have no firm foundation we are out of control and at the mercy of the world’s expectations and our own uncertain judgment. Only when Jesus Christ controls our lives are we truly free to live as we are intended: with joyful hope in him and a sure purpose in service to his kingdom.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

—John 8:34–36

November 3 Action and Freedom

In his second station on the way to freedom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer calls us away from the realm of abstract thought and good intentions to the real world of action.

Do and dare what is right, not swayed by the whim of the moment.
Bravely take hold of the real, not dallying now with what might be.
Not in the flight of ideas but only in action is freedom.
Make up your mind and come out into the tempest of living.
God’s command is enough and your faith in him to sustain you.
Then at last freedom will welcome your spirit amid great rejoicing.⁴⁶⁰

We have read many stories about men and women who took action during time of war, in spite of their fears and the uncertainty of the times. Wartime seems to present situations requiring practical action rather than abstract ideas. There are times when the same applies in our spiritual lives. We all need times of quiet study and contemplation. However, this kind of activity is not an end in itself. These times are meant to prepare us to take action in service to God’s kingdom. We know that faith without works is dead. We don’t work our way to God, but if he is within us, we will want to do great things for him.

When we are tempted to feel too ill-equipped to accomplish anything for God, remember that it is not our ability that God is interested in, but our availability. Moses was convinced he was the wrong man for the job of leading the Israelites out of Egypt. But God told him, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). In the same way, the apostle Paul tells us why we should never feel inadequate: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). (JG)

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless… As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

—James 2:20, 26

November 4 Suffering and Freedom

Dietrich Bonhoeffer suffered persecution and imprisonment for his Christian beliefs. For him to consider his suffering an integral step on his way to freedom is one of the most amazing witnesses ever recorded.

See what a transformation! These hands so active and powerful
Now are tied, and alone and fainting, you see where your work ends.
Yet you are confident still, and gladly commit what is rightful
Into a stronger hand, and say that you are contented.
You were free from a moment of bliss, then you yielded your freedom
Into the hand of God, that he might perfect it in glory.⁴⁶¹

Elsewhere in this book are stories of American and Japanese soldiers who suffered in prison and, through this suffering, found freedom in Christ. Out of the depths they discovered a new and better life. While few of us today will experience the tribulation of a prisoner of war camp, there will come a time in each of our lives when we