Description

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In the autumn of 1933 the twenty-seven-year-old Bonhoeffer accepted a two-year appointment as a pastor of two German-speaking Protestant churches in London. It was during this time that he began his friendship with Ernst Cromwell, one of his confirmands--a friendship that is now documented in these letters published for the first time here in this book (most of which are dated between March 20,1935 and March 27, 1936). Seventy-five years later, the publication of these letters throws light on several aspects of Bonhoeffer's life and thought, including: the development of his views on the practice of silence; his practice of catechesis and confirmation; the impact on his personal relationships of his involvement in the Church struggle; his understanding of friendship, and in particular friendship that values the potential contribution of young people to living out the "truth-telling" of Jesus Christ.

About the Author

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Stephen J. Plant is Dean and Runcie Fellow at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, where he teaches theology and ethics in the Divinity Faculty. He edited the journal Theology for SPCK from 2007 to 2013 and is the author of several books including Taking Stock of Bonhoeffer Studies in Biblical Interpretation and Ethics (Ashgate Press, 2014). Toni Burrowes-Cromwell is an International Development Specialist and former International Director of one of the UK's largest children's charities. Her background spans student ministry, social policy reform, and program delivery across the Caribbean, in southern Africa and in Canada. Toni is affiliated with several professional associations including the International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR).