In a world where success is the measure and justification of all things the figure of Him who was sentenced and crucified remains a stranger and is at best the object of pity. The world will allow itself to be subdued only by success. It is not ideas or opinions which decide, but deeds. Success alone justifies wrongs done With a frankness and off-handedness which no other earthly power could permit itself, history appeals in its own cause to the dictum that the end justifies the means The figure of the Crucified invalidates all thought which takes success for its standard.
Dietrich BonhoefferDeath reveals that the world is not as it should be but that it stands in need of redemption. Christ alone is the conquering of death.
Dietrich BonhoefferEvery word of Holy Scripture was a love letter from God directed very personally to us and he asked us whether we loved Jesus.
Dietrich BonhoefferThrough our daily meals He is calling us to rejoice, to keep holiday in the midst of our working day.
Dietrich BonhoefferBecause I am a Christian, therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God's Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for me. I can only move forward with certainty upon the firm ground of the Word of God. And, as a Christian, I learn to know the Holy Scriptures in no other way than by hearing the Word preached and by prayerful meditation.
Dietrich BonhoefferWhere a people prays, there is the church; and where the church is; there is never loneliness.
Dietrich BonhoefferChristian love draws no distinction between one enemy and another, except that the more bitter our enemy's hatred, the greater his need of love. Be his enmity political or religious, he has nothing to expect from a follower of Jesus but unqualified love. In such love there is not inner discord between the private person and official capacity. In both we are disciples of Christ, or we are not Christians at all.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer