Bonhoeffer: A Thrilling Story of Courage for Our Time

What does it take to stand against evil when the cost is everything? Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life challenges us to wrestle with this question. The new film, Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin., brings his incredible story to life, recounting his journey from theologian to resistance fighter during Nazi Germany’s darkest days.

Bonhoeffer’s world was one of profound moral collapse. As Hitler rose to power, the church in Germany faltered, many leaders compromising their faith to align with the Nazi regime. Bonhoeffer, however, stood firm. He refused to bow to a corrupted church, calling it “religion without Christ.” Instead, he became a voice of defiance, speaking out against antisemitism, racism, and the idolatry of power.

In 1945, just days before his prison camp was liberated by Allied forces, Bonhoeffer was executed. His final words remain hauntingly hopeful: “This is the end—but for me, the beginning.”

A Life Worth Discussing

The film about Bonhoeffer captures the spirit of a man who refused to remain silent in the face of tyranny. It is a dramatic retelling of his life, portraying the transformation of a theologian who was willing to risk everything for what was right. Bonhoeffer’s journey—shaped by his experiences in Harlem’s African American churches and the growing Nazi oppression in Germany—is a story of faith in action.

Director Todd Komarnicki described his vision for the film with passion: “I set out to create a thriller because I saw Bonhoeffer’s life as thrilling. How he saw the world, how he asked about God, how he lived in the eternal now—it’s breathtaking.”

Komarnicki highlighted what sets Bonhoeffer apart in today’s world of hero stories: “Our current heroes often come from outside, reluctantly saving us while being angry about it. Bonhoeffer recognized heroism from within, seeing Christ in the face of others and meeting the world’s needs head-on.”

This difference is profound. Bonhoeffer didn’t wait for salvation to come from someone else; he embodied the courage to act, knowing the cost. His life was one of deep faith and action, a powerful blend of conviction and compassion.

History Echoes in London

But this isn’t just a story about the past—it’s deeply relevant today. Recent attacks in London against Jewish children are chilling reminders that hatred is alive and well.

On a bus carrying Jewish students, teens hurled rocks, spewed vile insults, and filmed the attack as if it were entertainment. “They were swearing at us, saying, ‘F--- Israel, nobody likes you,’” one young victim recounted. Another added: “None of us knew what to do. Nobody tried to stop them.”

Such violence isn’t isolated. Antisemitism in the UK has more than doubled this year, leaving many Jewish families feeling unsafe and unseen. Nearly 70% of British Jews now avoid public expressions of their faith.

This moment demands action. Are we willing to speak out, as Bonhoeffer did, even when it’s uncomfortable? Or will we remain silent, hoping someone else will step in?

The Narrow Way

Bonhoeffer’s most famous book, The Cost of Discipleship, offers a blueprint for this moment. He wrote: “Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” His words remind us that neutrality in the face of evil is complicity.

In Luke 9:62, Jesus says: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” This verse challenges us to unwavering commitment. Just as a plowman must keep his eyes forward to make a straight line, a disciple of Christ must stay focused on the work at hand, undistracted by fear, regret, or hesitation. It is a call to resolve—to press forward with faith and determination, no matter the cost.

Komarnicki adds another layer to this idea, reflecting on the universal struggle between light and darkness: “Hate comes in every color. Darkness resides in every human being.” Bonhoeffer recognized this reality, yet he also saw the spark of divine light that could overcome it.

A Call to Watch, Reflect, and Act

Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. invites us to wrestle with hard questions:

• How do we stand for truth in a world rife with division and hate?
• What does it mean to confront injustice with both courage and love?

This film is more than a story—it’s a conversation starter. It challenges us to reflect on Bonhoeffer’s life and legacy, not as distant history but as a call to action for today.

• Watch the film. Engage with the story and let it provoke thought and discussion.
• Speak against injustice. Antisemitism, racism, and hatred thrive in silence.
• Choose the narrow way. Bonhoeffer’s life reminds us that following Christ is costly, but the cost is worth it.

The world desperately needs modern-day Bonhoeffers—people willing to live with conviction, courage, and compassion. It also needs modern-day Esthers, who, like the biblical queen, are unafraid to step into their God-given roles to protect and advocate for the vulnerable.

Will you answer that call? Let Bonhoeffer’s story inspire you to find the hero within and stand boldly in faith. Let this not be the end of the conversation but the beginning.