Content

Beginning with his early philosophical theology and concluding with his radical prison writings, this unit will explore the dynamic interaction between Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s leading theological ideas and his engagement with the changing religious, social and political context of Hitler’s Third Reich.

Unit code: CT9725W

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate a holistic understanding of Bonhoeffer’s often controversial theology

2.

Outline the major influences upon Bonhoeffer’s theology

3.

Critique the relationship between Bonhoeffer’s theology and his ecclesial and political engagements

4.

Analyse the mutual significance of systematic theology and church history in relation to Bonhoeffer’s works as an example of broader applicability

5.

Critique both primary and secondary literature in Bonhoeffer studies in light of contemporary challenges

Unit sequence

45 points in Foundational Units

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, discussion forums

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bethge, Eberhard. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Biography. Translated by Eric Mosbacher, Peter Ross, Betty Ross, Frank Clarke and William Glen-Doepel. Revised ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2000.
  • Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Discipleship. Translated by B. Green and R. Krauss. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Edited by G. B. Kelly, J. D. Godsey, B. Green and R. Krauss. Vol. 4, Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2000.
  • ———. Ethics. Translated by Reinhard Krauss, Charles C. West and Douglas W. Scott. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Edited by Clifford J. Green. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2005.
  • ———. Letters and Papers from Prison. Translated by John Bowden. London: SCM Press, 2002.
  • ———. No Rusty Swords: Letters, Lectures and Notes 1928–1936 From the Collected Works, Volume I. Translated by John Bowden and Eberhard Bethge. London: Collins, 1970.
  • Clements, Keith. Bonhoeffer and Britain. London: Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, 2006.
  • Clements, Keith. W. The SPCK Introduction to Bonhoeffer. London: SPCK, 2010.
  • de Gruchy, John W., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999. (recommended for purchase)
  • Green, Clifford J., and Michael P. DeJonge, eds. The Bonhoeffer Reader. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2013.
  • Pugh, Jeffrey C. Religionless Christianity: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Troubled Times. London: T&T Clark, 2008.
  • Schlingensiepen, Ferdinand. Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906–1945: Martyr, Thinker, Man of Resistance. Translated by Isabel Best. London: T&T Clark, 2010.
  • Scholder, Klaus. The Churches and the Third Reich. Volume 1: Preliminary History and the Time of Illusions, 1918–1934. Translated by John Bowden. London: SCM Press, 1987.
  • ———. The Churches and the Third Reich. Volume 2: The Year of Disillusionment, 1934 – Barmen and Rome. Translated by John Bowden. London: SCM Press, 1988.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay (3,500 words)

3500 50.0
Book Review

Book Review (1,500 words)

1500 25.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar Paper (1,000 words)

1000 25.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2020-10-09 16:43:20 +1100