A Christianity Without Boundaries: Bonhoeffer’s Christ-Centered Revolution with Lori Brandt Hale
Rise of Bonhoeffer with Tripp Fuller
Today on the Rise of Bonhoeffer, we are joined by Lori Brandt Hale, Bonhoeffer scholar and president of the International Bonhoeffer Society, for a mind-expanding exploration of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theological journey. Rather than just rehashing the heroic end of Bonhoeffer’s story, we dive deep into the continuous threads that run through his work – from his early dissertation on community to his prison writings. Lori unpacks how Bonhoeffer’s encounters with others – from Jean Lasserre at Union Seminary to his experiences in the ecumenical movement – kept “changing the lenses” through which he viewed Christianity and the world. We explore the powerful concept of “Stellvertretung” (vicarious representative action), his evolving critique of religion, and how his Christology led to his boundary-dissolving vision of the church. Lori also challenges mainstream interpretations of Bonhoeffer by exploring “post-theist” readings of his prison theology and pushes back against those who weaponize his legacy to justify Christian nationalism. This conversation reveals a Bonhoeffer whose theological clarity came through encounter with the other, whose central question remains “Who is Jesus Christ for us today?”, and whose vision offers profound challenges to churches seeking power rather than becoming “the church for others.”
Lori Brandt Hale is professor and chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. She is the Vice President of the International Bonhoeffer Society and co-editor of and contributor to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Theology, and Political Resistance. She is also the co-author of Bonhoeffer for Armchair Theologians.
Get Access to the Online Class & Audio Docuseries on Dietrich Bonhoeffer!
Are you Coming to Theology Beer Camp!
We are SOOOOO pumped for Theology Beer Camp 2025 and will reveal some fantastic speakers and nerdy fun at camp this year on the stream. 3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends.
EARLY BIRD TICKETS available until May 15th - Get tickets here. We will sell out!
Join Our Next Class with Grace Ji-Sun Kim on the Holy Spirit!
REDISCOVERING THE SPIRIT: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology.
Moving beyond traditional Western theological frameworks, we'll explore feminist interpretations, global perspectives, and innovative approaches to understanding the Spirit in today's world. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth.
Preview: The Spirit in Scripture and Early Christianity
Week 1: Historical Developments and Theological Tensions
Week 2: Feminist and Global Perspectives on the Spirit
Week 3: Living in the Spirit Today
FOUR LIVE SESSIONS:
Tuesdays (May 20th - June 10th) at 10am PT / 1pm ET
ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS: You can participate fully without being present at any specific time. Replays are available on the Class Resource Page.
COST: A course like this is typically offered for $250 or more. Your contributions are what make our classes possible. We invite you to contribute whatever amount you feel led to give (including $0).
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