View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What decision did Hitler make in October, 1933, that further catapulted his popularity with Germans?

2. According to Metaxas, after Bonhoeffer had returned to Germany from New York, how did he view theology?

3. Why does Metaxas claim Bonhoeffer became a soldier?

4. Why does Metaxas claim that Bonhoeffer often mentioned the Tower of Babel in his sermons?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Metaxas, why was Reformation Sunday an important celebration for churches in Germany?

2. What does Metaxas claim to be Hitler's goal in establishing the office of Reichsbischof (Reich bishop) over the church?

3. What does Metaxas report to be the "Night of the Long Knives"?

4. What important church leader does Metaxas report to have come into Bonhoeffer's life while he was involved in his ministry in London?

5. What does Metaxas identify as the Greek idea that Bonhoeffer considered to be "the most sever enemy" that Christianity ever had?

6. What does Metaxas report happened to the German mark beginning in 1923?

7. What does Metaxas claim to be Bonhoeffer's goal in writing the Bethel Confession?

8. Why does Metaxas claim that the people of Germany were impatient with the Weimar Republic?

9. For what was Bonhoeffer's maternal great-grandfather, Karl August von Hase, well known according to Metaxas?

10. How does Metaxas paraphrase Martin Luther to explain that faith in the Gospel affects individual lives?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Bonhoeffer family set models of respect, standards, expectations, and support that served Dietrich Bonhoeffer throughout his life. Detail examples from the book where each of the aforementioned qualities were implemented in Bonhoeffer's life, and explain how those served him as he came to face the decisions and consequences of being involved with conspiracies to overthrow Adolf Hitler.

Essay Topic 2

While Bonhoeffer was in America he was exposed to the segregation of American blacks from the mainstream of white social institutions. Explain how Bonhoeffer responded to this from his theological viewpoint and how his time in America prepared him to respond to Nazi reprisals against the Jews.

Essay Topic 3

Bonhoeffer's family played important roles throughout various times in his life. Choose a member of Bonhoeffer's immediate family (this can include the spouses of siblings) who played an important role in his life and had a significant influence on what Bonhoeffer's life and missions. Give the details of how this family member impacted Bonhoeffer's life, how the individual challenged Bonhoeffer's character or nurtured his development, and whether the individual was a positive or negative influence on Bonhoeffer's life generally.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 986 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample