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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Metaxas claim Bonhoeffer became a soldier?
(a) Because he was conscripted into militia service as the limits placed on the German military by the Treaty of Versailles were insufficient to protect Germany from enemies and insurrections.
(b) Because military service was expected by his strict father.
(c) Because he became empathetic with a nationalist movement that identified the Treaty of Versailles as the cause of Germany's economic and social problems.
(d) Because he felt an obligation to offer his service to the benefit of the German Empire.

2. Which quote does Metaxas use to reflect Hitler's attitude toward Protestant pastors?
(a) "It's been our misfortune to have the wrong religion. Why didn't we have the religion of the Japanese, who regard sacrifice for the Fatherland ans the highest good?"
(b) "If this doesn't come from the other side...then it must come from us;...."
(c) "You can do anything you want with them,...They are insignificant little people, submissive as dogs,...."
(d) "A church that does not keep step with modern scientific knowledge is doomed. It may take quite a while, but it is bound finally to happen."

3. What does Metaxas claim annoyed Hitler regarding Christian teaching?
(a) That Christianity preached meekness.
(b) That Christianity taught that Jesus was the only begotten son of God.
(c) That Jesus was Jewish.
(d) That Christianity had a long tradition that could not be dismantled.

4. What does Metaxas point out to be the motivation of Luther's condemnations of the Jews that he wrote late in his life?
(a) They were motivated by their economic self sufficiency.
(b) They were motivated by their racial differences to europeans.
(c) They were motivated by the Jews indifference to his efforts to convert them to Christianity.
(d) They were motivated by their aloofness to general European society.

5. How many children does Metaxas claim came to Bonhoeffer's first Sunday school class in Barcelona?
(a) 7.
(b) 15.
(c) 12.
(d) One.

6. What was Bohnoeffers' first impression of American theology students, according to documents cited by Metaxas.
(a) They made shallow, unsubstantiated statements and were ignorant of dogmatics and basic theological questions.
(b) Their "new world" view offered a fresh perspective on his European theological training.
(c) They attempted to connect all their training to finding a profession.
(d) They were detached from the protestant heritage that was so vital in Germany.

7. What threat did Theodor Heckel make against Bonhoeffer to make him stop his attempts to oppose the German church from England?
(a) Heckel pointed out that the government knew where Bonhoeffer's family lived.
(b) Heckel implied that Bonhoeffer's activities with non-German church leaders were considered treasonous.
(c) Heckel said that he could use his position to have his degrees rescinded.
(d) Heckel said that if Bonhoeffer returned he could be put in a concentration camp.

8. To what did Metaxas credit much of Luther's bitterness toward the Jews and others at the end of his life?
(a) A legalistic view of sin.
(b) A series of illnesses and generally declining health.
(c) A hard-line interpretation of the bible.
(d) An increasing exclusionary view of grace.

9. What is the explanation that Metaxas gives for Bonhoeffer's willingness to join the same fraternity his father, Igel, when he attended Berlin University?
(a) Igel had direct political connections to the line of German Chancellors dating back to the 19th century.
(b) Igel members were well known for their elaborate hats and dueling scars.
(c) Igel eschewed the use of alcohol.
(d) Igel was politically moderate and patriotic, but not nationalistic.

10. How did Germans consider the Weimar Republic, according to Metaxas?
(a) As a logical extension from the days of the Kaiser who ruled over the united Germanic tribes.
(b) As an unpleasant political has forced on them by their enemies...who wanted Germany to be weak anyway.
(c) As preferable to Bolshevism.
(d) As just another political arrangement designed to empower the wealthy.

11. What does Metaxas report to be Bonhoeffer's negotiating advantage during his time leading two congregations in London?
(a) He could train young Germans in the biblical heritage of the church and send them to Germany to challenge the German Christians.
(b) He could have free communications with the ecumenical movement around the world and bring them to pressure Nazi intrusions in church affairs.
(c) He could communicate Nazi demands around the world and expose their true intentions.
(d) He could separate the German churches in England from the official German church and harm Germany's international reputation.

12. What was a recurring them that Bonhoeffer taught in the years before he became involved in the illegal seminaries of the Confessing Church, according to Metaxas?
(a) Grace--that coming into the presence of God is based upon His grace.
(b) Transubstantiation--that Christians take the blood and body of Christ in communion.
(c) Original Sin--that man's condition is based upon the sin of Adam.
(d) Incarnation--that God did not create us to be disembodied spirits, but flesh-and-blood human beings.

13. What does Metaxas report to be the name of the church wherein Bonhoeffer heard the preaching of Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.?
(a) Abyssinian Baptist Church.
(b) First Baptist Church of New York City.
(c) Park Avenue Baptist Church.
(d) Riverside Church.

14. What does Metaxas report Bonhoeffer found when he visited Friedrich von Bodelschwing's Bethel community in Bielefeld?
(a) A town that had been taken over by the German Christians and had begun marking many of the residents for elimination.
(b) A whole town with schools, churches, farms, factories, shops, and housing for nurses.
(c) Von Bodelschwing preparing to leave the settlement so he could fulfill his duties as Reichsbischof.
(d) A modest hospital where epileptic care was given.

15. What does Metaxas report to be the conditions in Germany that inspired Adolph Hitler to lead the Bierhall Putch?
(a) Hyperinflation of the German Mark due to attempts to meet the harsh economic terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
(b) A wave of nationalistic sentiment.
(c) A populist disdain for Otto von Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor.
(d) A desire to establish a constitutional republic.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Metaxas claim that Bonhoeffer, "...struggled with the 'problem' of being charming."

2. Why does Metaxas suggest the students in Bonhoeffer's confirmation class in Wedding were different from similar children in classes he taught in Harlem?

3. How does Metaxas claim the Reigchstag Fire Edict empowered the Nazis over Germany?

4. What does Metaxas identify as the difference between the theological debate in the U.S. in the 1930's and those in which Bonhoeffer participated as he was earning his doctorate degrees?

5. What momentous historic event does Metaxas note took place two days after Bonhoeffer arrived in Germany, and of which he was ignorant?

(see the answer keys)

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