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

Short Answer Questions

1. Of the students with whom Bonhoeffer socialized while in New York, which does Metaxas claim had the greatest influence?

2. What does Metaxas report to be Bonhoeffer's negotiating advantage during his time leading two congregations in London?

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

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

5. What does Metaxas claim to be the priority of the congregations that Bonhoeffer led in London?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was a criticism of Bonhoeffer's regarding the communal living of American seminary students that was cited by Metaxas?

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

3. How does Metaxas explain the Fuherer Principle?

4. Who does Metaxas claim to have inspired Bonhoeffer to desire to travel to Rome?

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

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

7. What marked the friendship between Bonhoeffer and Franz Reinhold Hildebrandt according to Metaxas?

8. What does Metaxas report to be Churchill's response to conspiracies to assassinate Adolf Hitler seeking allied support?

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

10. Why does Metaxas lament Martin Luther's late-in-life anti-Semitic comments?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Upon entering Berlin, Bonhoeffer took exceptions with Adolf von Harnack's approach to theology and proceeded to debate Harnack's positions. Harnack, however, chose to invite Bonhoeffer to study under him during Harnack's final summer seminar and Bonhoeffer accepted the invitation. Explain how Bonhoeffer choosing to learn from people with whom he disagreed was a sign of his character that followed him through his life. Detail how this tendency affected his relationships, his ministries, and his persecution and eventual imprisonment.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

As the Nazis began their agenda of persecution against Jews and various religious groups, conflicts arose in the church between who felt that the Nazis needed to be defied and others who felt they could be dealt with. Compare and contrast the two views and use information from the book that the sides used to support their position. Finally detail the consequences for choosing one of the two positions.

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