A Great Documentary

I ran across a great documentary on Netflix the other day. For those who have Netflix, you can watch the whole thing online, or you can buy a copy of it at various places. The documentary came out in 2003, and originally aired on PBS. It is entitled Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Pacifist, Nazi Resistor. The documentary is about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the patron saint of this blog.

This film is a wonderful and well thought out biography on Bonhoeffer and his life from a theological perspective. I've read and studied Bonhoeffer at some length. The name of this blog is derived from his work in the classic book, The Cost of Discipleship. I highly recommend watching the documentary. There is commentary by some very well known theologians and church leaders ranging from Archbishop Desmond Tutu to John de Gruchy to friends and students who knew Bonhoeffer personally.

The official website, which I linked to above, has resources for group discussions and all sorts of other goodies. I think the documentary would make for a great discussion of Bonhoeffer or Christian morals/ethics in war time in general. Bonhoeffer was a pacifist for most of his life, but ultimately felt that he was forced to get involved in the Resistance and finally the plot to kill Hitler, the event depicted in the Tom Cruise movie, Valkyrie, a while back.

Bonhoeffer was greatly conflicted about giving up his pacifist ideals, but ultimately felt that he had to do something to prevent even greater atrocities, even if it meant "risking his seat in heaven." He is a truly fascinating Christian saint, commemorated in the Episcopal church calendar of saints on April 9th, the day he was executed by the Nazis.

Check it out, the documentary is worth the time.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts on the 'Connecticut 6'

For some weeks, I have had several friends (mostly non-Episcopalians surprisingly) wanting me to voice an opinion on this Connecticut 6 (sounds like a fleabag motel) business. If you are unfamiliar with this fiasco, for lack of a better term, let me describe it as best as I understand it. There is so much spin going on (from both sides I might add) that I have been having trouble discerning fact from fiction. As I understand the situation, the Rt. Rev. Andrew Smith is the Bishop of Connecticut. Well, at least he has a pointy hat, I do not think he is particularly acting like one. Likewise, as I understand, there are Six rectors of churches (at least they have collars, but likewise are not acting like it) that have applied for DEPO oversight (i.e. another Bishop to oversee them.) The best way I know how to describe the hoohah is as follows: The Feloniously Rev. Smith is trying to defrock the Superciliously Reverend Rectors. Darth Smith claims they have abandoned communion and has shadil
Read more

The History of the Football helmet

Image
NCAA.com put out an interesting editorial about the evolution of the football helmet that can be found here . This is in part due in my estimation to the current buzz (one might go so far as to describe it as hysteria) about concussions in contact sports, particularly football. I have always found this an interesting evolution. Long gone are the days of strapping on your leather helmet: In the 50's and 60's, the helmet evolved into, basically becoming a metal then hard plastic version of the leather helmet with the addition of a rudimentary face mask (which was really just a bar at first): Gradually, the helmet's face mask itself began to evolve: Combines with new space age style lightweight plastics and foams, the helmet mask ultimately became a type of full, goalie style face mask (This little number costs just under $1000 to purchase new): Ironically, being a military history major, the football helmet evolution followed the pattern of design that helmets worn
Read more

Homily Notes for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

                Many churches often have Stewardship Renewal drives around this time of year, with St. Michael’s beginning its drive in mid-October. Talks or homilies on stewardship during this time of year often utilize the imagery of the fall harvest season because stewardship is often a time to take stock of God’s bounty-both spiritually and materially-and plan accordingly as to how much a family or individual is willing to commit to giving to the parish in the coming year of their time, talent, and treasure. The Mass readings today are picked in part to reinforce that theme of the importance of giving to God’s work through the church out of the bounty God has given to us. The question in the back of some people’s minds as they listen to stewardship appeals often is not touched upon in depth by the preacher or speaker discussing the importance of stewardship, however. That question is best summed up as, “If God is all powerful, why does He need my money?” The readings today beaut
Read more