It is likewise disappointing that at the expense of so many other leaders, Bonhoeffer’s leadership in the German Church struggle is somewhat exaggerated throughout, as is the impression that he was always the most clear-sighted and uncompromising one. More problematic is the author’s tendency to oversimplify complex cultural, political, and theological issues and to focus on “good guys” (the Confessing Church) versus “bad guys” (the Nazified “German Christians”) and to overlook the majority of church folk who, for unexplained yet plausible reasons, saw themselves “in the middle.” These cannot be ignored, but given the project’s overall scope, most seem relatively small. Bonhoeffer specialists have been particularly critical and have pointed out various historical inaccuracies, unwarranted speculations, and factual errors. Scholars, naturally suspicious of popular portraits, have been cooler in their reception. They are surprised to find a modern German theologian so devout, courageous, pious, and orthodox and, indeed, more so than any American theologian that comes to mind. Many have discovered a friend they never knew they had. Given most reviews, evangelicals seem the most enthusiastic about it. On The New York Times’ Bestseller List for weeks, Eric Metaxas’ biography has introduced thousands to one of the most important chapters in church history since the Reformation and one of its most fascinating figures.
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