Experiencing the Nature of Faith and Knowledge through the Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In the face of conflict and evil, it is often difficult to know what path to take. Yet, it is exactly during these moments when one is confronted with the most important questions and decisions in life, those which will eventually influence not only oneself but the rest of the world. In the documentary film Bonhoeffer, we learn about the life of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer who, witnessing the injustice against humanity, courageously opposed Adolf Hitler. With strong morals, Bonhoeffer became a conspirator against the crimes of the Nazi regime as he was able to understand the world through the eyes of Christ. His passion and commitment to God grew out of a personal struggle when his brother died in World War I. As he found himself in contact with the reality of death, he grappled with questions which encouraged him to explore God and religion in a deeper way so he decided to study theology at the University of Berlin. It was here that Bonhoeffer started to discover axiology and epistemology and looked for answers to questions about the nature of human knowledge and the moral dilemmas of right and wrong. As he built a stronger sense of faith, God became the answer to his questions and the fuel of his actions. By integrating aesthetic elements, illustrating political realities, and challenging ideas of justice and ethics, this movie takes the viewer on a journey to explore Bonhoeffer’s life and the powerful influence he had on the world.

Throughout the documentary, the film maker illustrates the important events and characters that influenced Germany and Bonhoeffer by combining several aesthetic elements. As the documentary begins, we learn that Bonhoeffer was raised in a privileged district outside of Berlin. His father...

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...mation and influence of politics in Germany, and a captivating examination of the hardships people overcame and suffered towards justice, the documentary is compelling as it challenges one to examine the most fascinating philosophical questions about God and our human nature. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is certainly a man of virtue and one who lived fully in the world by embracing the desires of his heart and making them part of the human experience. He brought about a revolution that defined the role of the church in society by proclaiming God as the source of knowledge, and most importantly by revealing the nature, truth, and reality of faith.

Works Cited

Bonhoeffer. Dir. Martin Doblmeier. Journey Films, 2003. DVD.

Mitchell, Helen Buss. "Aesthetic Experience." Roots of Wisdom: A Tapestry of Philosophical Traditions. 6th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2011. 303-24. Print.