The Martyred Christian

The book is a collection of gems conscientiously selected and arranged from Bonhoeffer's work, useful for devotional reading, a rich witness stimulating to heart and mind. The brilliant mind and steadfast, loving spirit of Bonhoeffer shine through. And yet...for this reader, The Martyred Christian is a sampler that challenges, a strong nudge to read Bonhoeffer's works straight through. Something is gained, perhaps, and something is lost, certainly, in the selection and juxtaposition of sparkling passages clipped out from their contexts, like a compilation of proof-texts or an ultra-canonic selection from the Bible. Appreciate the winnowing editor Brown has done, but move on to direct engagement with the full texts, the even richer lode from which these polished, select jewels were plucked and arranged.