The Betrayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This work is a collection of letters written to friends and family while the author was imprisoned for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler. The letters provide insight into the author's spiritual struggles and reflections on faith, morality, and the nature of God during a time of great turmoil. They also offer a glimpse into the author's relationships with those closest to him, including his fiancée and fellow conspirators.
By Dietrich Bonhoeffer · First published 1949 · Genre: Theological Reflection, Religious Literature, Philosophical Literature · 3,180 words
First lines
Finkenwalde, Fifth Sunday in Lent [Judica Sunday], March 14, 1937.
The fifth Sunday in Lent, often called Passion Sunday, is called Judica in churches where worship services were once held in Latin. The name comes from Psalm 43, which is read for evening prayer on that day. The psalm begins, "Judica me, Deus. " ("Vindicate [or judge] me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people. ") In his book Saved from Sacrifice, theologian S. Mark Heim points out that many psalms, the laments of a victim being unjustly persecuted, foreshadow Jesus' passion. Jesus' cry on the cross, for example-"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? "-echoes Psalm 22: 1.
What this Textopian page supports
The Betrayer is listed on Textopian as an essay by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, dated 1949 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Date: 1949 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Theological Reflection, Religious Literature, Philosophical Literature, Historical Contextualization, Narrative Non-Fiction
- Length: 3,180 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Betrayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Betrayer?
- How does this essay by Dietrich Bonhoeffer fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Theological Reflection first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Turning Back by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Testing And Temptation by Jorge Mario Bergoglio
- The Displeasure Of Jesus by George Macdonald
- Come O Rescuer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Repent And Do Not Judge by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Notes On The Book Of Job by Mark Rutherford
Genres
- Theological Reflection — The work deeply explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and the nature of divine love, making it a significant theological discourse.
- Religious Literature — It engages with biblical narratives and Christian doctrine, reflecting on the implications of Judas's betrayal within a religious context.
- Philosophical Literature — The text raises profound questions about morality, free will, and the nature of evil, inviting philosophical inquiry into the human condition.
- Historical Contextualization — It situates the narrative within the historical and cultural context of early Christianity, providing insights into the socio-religious dynamics of the time.
Tags
Christian Theology · Moral Philosophy · Ethics · Faith · Morality · Spirituality · Theological Reflection · Personal Narrative · Memoir · Biographical · Historical Context · World War II