Nation will challenge the long-held assumption that Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian and pastor, was arrested, imprisoned and executed because of his involvement in plots to assassinate Hitler.  Instead, Nation will argue that it was Bonhoeffer’s costly discipleship—which led a Nazi official to call him “a pacifist and enemy of the state”—that led to his arrest, imprisonment and execution.

Bonhoeffer is known for his popular books, The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together.  He is less well-known for his early and active opposition to the Nazi persecution of the Jews, and the “new monasticism” he introduced to the seminary he directed. He was also seen as so dangerous that he was banned from public speaking and publishing.

This presentation is a summary of a book Nation is writing with two EMS graduates, Anthony Siegrist and Daniel Umbel.  Nation will present his summary of their research at the University Colloquium in Martin Chapel from 3:30-5. The book is scheduled for publication next year by Baker Academic Press.  This book will be the first to make the argument that Bonhoeffer was not involved in any assassination attempts.  But as importantly, it will attempt to re-claim the central legacy of Bonhoeffer, a call to discipleship.

“If we are successful in our argument,” said Nation, “It will require a complete reexamination of the Bonhoeffer legacy.”

University colloquiums are free and open to the public.

Laura E. Powers will give a presentation 3:30-5 p.m. in Martin Chapel of the seminary building on “Winter Coats for Haiti: Why We Need Training for Humanitarian Response.”

She previously taught courses in the field of international agriculture as a member of the faculty at EMU.

About Dr. Powers

Dr. Powers currently serves as the team leader for the Technical Assistance Group within the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) at the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

She has 11 years experience in international humanitarian assistance and serves as an agriculture and food security adviser in addition to managing a team of 17 technical experts in various sectors affected by natural and human-caused disasters.

She has worked extensively in Africa, primarily East Africa and Central America. She earned her PhD from the University of Florida in Gainesville and completed post-doctoral studies at Colorado State University.

Come hear Laura’s presentation and engage her in conversation on the ongoing needs in Haiti.