BONHOEFFER, DIETRICH

born February 4, 1906, Breslau, Germany [now Wroclaw, Poland] died April 9, 1945, Flossenbrg, Germany German Protestant theologian important for his support of ecumenism and his view of Christianity's role in a secular world. His involvement in a plot to overthrow Adolf Hitler led to his imprisonment and execution. His Letters and Papers from Prison, published posthumously in 1951, is perhaps the most profound document of his convictions. Additional reading The definitive biography is Eberhard Bethge, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, rev. ed. (2000; originally published in German, 1967). Symposia dealing with Bonhoeffer's thought are Martin E. Marty (ed.), The Place of Bonhoeffer (1962, reprinted 1981); R.G. Smith (compiler), World Come of Age (1967); and Peter Vorkink (compiler), Bonhoeffer in a World Come of Age (1968). Other major studies include J.D. Godsey, The Theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1960); John A. Phillips, Christ for Us in the Theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (also published as The Form of Christ in the World, 1967, reissued 1969); William Kuhns, In Pursuit of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1967); and Larry L. Rasmussen, Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Reality and Resistance (1972).