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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) They attempted to connect all their training to finding a profession.
(c) They were detached from the protestant heritage that was so vital in Germany.
(d) Their "new world" view offered a fresh perspective on his European theological training.

2. What does Metaxas claim Bonhoeffer discovered of Spanish professors and contemporary Spanish writers?
(a) They were eager to receive Bonhoeffer's thoughts about ecumenicalism.
(b) They provided an elevated level of conversation.
(c) They were bitterly anti-clerical.
(d) They showed the same disciplined thought as his father.

3. Why does Metaxas claim Bonhoeffer did not marry his first love?
(a) Because Bonhoeffer's travels around the world kept the relationship from growing.
(b) Because she married another man while he was travelling.
(c) Because she was Jewish.
(d) Because Bonhoeffer would not allow other people to get close to him.

4. What question regarding the reformation became increasingly important to Bonhoeffer as the Nazis became increasingly demanding of the Lutheran church?
(a) Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?
(b) Did the reformation go wrong by moving from a sect to a church.
(c) Did Christianity have too close of a relationship with pagan culture when the catholic church became officially recognized.
(d) Can there really be a separation of church and state?

5. What quote of Bonhoeffer's friend, Franz Hildebrandt, does Metaxas use to show the intellectual demands Bonhoeffer placed on those who were close to him.
(a) "You could not be a friend of Dietrich's if you did not argue with him."
(b) "Dietrich would ask for explanations and proofs of everything that came out of your mouth."
(c) "He would know the answer to every question he asked you and put you under a constant test of your understanding of the Bible and the world."
(d) "Dietrich would expect you to go to plays, operas, and museums with him and engage in lengthy conversations as to the significance of whatever was put before us."

6. How does Metaxas claim Bonhoeffer kept informed of the turmoil involving the German church?
(a) He knew British news reporters who got timely information from Berlin.
(b) He had many phone updates from a wide number of contacts.
(c) His mother, Paula Bonhoeffer, kept him updated through her various contacts including her son-in-law, General von der Goltz.
(d) Members of his congregations updated him through their contacts.

7. 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?
(a) Bonhoeffer respected those with whom he disagreed, but sides in the American debate would tolerate no contributions from their detractors.
(b) Bonhoeffer's European debates were founded on centuries of church heritage which the American debates neglected.
(c) Those who participated in the American debate accepted conclusions to various arguments but showed no interest in finding how those conclusions were developed.
(d) Bonhoeffer was eager to use the Bible and church history to support his positions, but none of the contestants in the American debate sought such support.

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

9. What theological battle was being waged when Bonhoeffer arrived in America, according to Metaxas?
(a) A battle between Catholics and Protestants.
(b) A battle between liberals and fundamentalists.
(c) A battle between Calvinists and Armenians.
(d) A battle between creationists and evolutionists.

10. What was a criticism that Bonhoeffer made of his head pastor in Barcelona, Friedrich Olbricht?
(a) Olbricht, "...has...done nothing in the was of addressing the younger generation in his parish."
(b) Olbricht was gone too much and left too many of the responsibilities of the parish to him.
(c) Olbricht had, "...lost his zeal for the church and had become disinterested in applying biblical truths to the modern world."
(d) Olbricht was, "Too demanding of his expectations that I understand all the challenges of his pastorate."

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

12. What does Metaxas claim to have been a positive consequence of Bonhoeffer's Memorial service being held in England?
(a) "Bonhoeffer's rightful place as a theologian was cemented."
(b) "People around the world began to recognize the positive achievements of Germans throughout history.
(c) "Nazi sympathizers were further ostracized for allowing another country to lead in honoring one of its most courageous citizens."
(d) "...the world again begin to reconcile itself to itself."

13. What was the politically dangerous message that Metaxas reports Bonhoeffer made in a sermon at Trinity Church in Berlin one month after Hitler became Chancellor?
(a) "The Church has only one altar, the altar of the Almighty...before which all creatures must kneel...."
(b) "Who will you worship, the God of the Bible, or the Fuherer of Germany?"
(c) "The Jews remain to this day the chosen seed of God, from whom we, the Church of Jesus Christ, are the multitude of the promise to Abraham."
(d) "We have only one God, and His only Son was the King of the Jews."

14. What accomplishment of Bonhoeffer's maternal great grandfather, Karl August von Hase, does Metaxas credit with fueling Bonhoeffer's interest in Rome?
(a) Von Hase's extensive journals and geographic records of his trips to Rome.
(b) Von Hase's 20 trips there and the strong ties he cultivated through them.
(c) Von Hase's vast collection of lyric poetry of Horace and Catullus.
(d) Von Hase's many mission trips with Roman Catholic Officials.

15. 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 was politically moderate and patriotic, but not nationalistic.
(b) Igel eschewed the use of alcohol.
(c) Igel members were well known for their elaborate hats and dueling scars.
(d) Igel had direct political connections to the line of German Chancellors dating back to the 19th century.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Metaxas, how did Karl Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer's father, meet Bonhoeffer's mother, the former Paula von Hase?

2. Who does Metaxas report to be the professor who became the greatest influence over Bonhoeffer's life?

3. How had Bonhoeffer's relationships outside of Germany affect his view of the church, according to Metaxas?

4. Which quote does Metaxas use to reflect Hitler's attitude toward Protestant pastors?

5. Why did the opponents the group, "German Christians" consider the name to be oxymoronic?

(see the answer keys)

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