2 days ago
Is the US Facing a Bonhoeffer Moment? Faith, Resistance, and Minnesota's Crisis
At a time when ordinary citizens are being shot on the streets and warrantless raids conducted in Minneapolis, we ask whether the US is witnessing a “Bonhoeffer moment”–a time when putting faith to the test in the face of oppression may involve great personal sacrifice. We reflect on the life and teachings of the Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose courage and example in resisting Naziism led to his paying the ultimate price. We ask whether there are echoes of the time he experienced in what’s being witnessed in Minnesota, and whether his model may be (or is) being played out today. We reflect upon his call to costly discipleship and the urgency for interfaith solidarity, nonviolent direct action, and prayerful courage for those defending vulnerable communities and holding power to account. Bonhoeffer’s appeal is a call to all people of faith to not just protest in silence, but put themselves at real risk in the cause of defending the teachings of their faith. In this 250th anniversary year in the US, and in Minneapolis in particular, people of faith across the US are already taking that brave step.
Prayers and intentions start at 27 minutes 4 seconds.
Suggested Intention Focus for this week
This week, as we contemplate the powerful example of courage and conviction shown by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the echoes of what is happening in Minnesota today with the rise of extremism in our own time, we suggest holding as our main intention:
I will that I will have the courage to move from comfort to costly discipleship when I am called to oppose injustice.
Please join us in holding this.
Past episodes mentioned:
Emergency Episode with Ellen and Chris Katzenmeyer: Contemplative Labyrinth Activism in a Time of Crisis: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bvsue-1a307fd
Christian Nationalism: Threat or Faith? A Deep Dive: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tvhxa-19ca838
I Have a Dream: Nonviolent Power in an Age of Volatility: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ix6r8-1a251d4
Men Behaving Badly: Leaders Who Play The Religious Card: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-s4zbu-18e6f49
Chapter markers:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:30 A Wake-Up Call to Protest
00:03:49 Reflecting on Dietrich Bonhoeffer
00:05:37 The Cost of Discipleship
00:11:25 A Bonhoeffer Moment in Minnesota
00:12:38 The Erosion of Democratic Norms
00:16:43 The War Against Minnesota
00:18:18 The Normalization of Injustice
00:20:14 The Church’s Role in Resistance
00:22:03 The Call to Action
00:24:07 Lessons from Bonhoeffer for Today
00:27:04 Intentions and Prayers
00:29:58 Living by Costly Grace
Sources referenced in this episode:
https://www.gedenkstaette-flossenbuerg.de/en/history/prisoners/dietrich-bonhoeffer
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/dietrich-bonhoeffer
https://traffickinginstitute.org/incontext-dietrich-bonhoeffer/
https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/radical-resistance
https://www.bonhoeffer-initiative.com/en/dietrich-bonhoeffer/bonhoeffers-work
https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/cost-of-discipleship-ch-141
https://gbtseminary.org/cheap-grace-bonhoeffer-and-the-cost-of-discipleship/
https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/bonhoeffers-costly-theology
https://learn.elca.org/jle/bonhoeffers-appeal-for-ethical-humility/
https://faithandleadership.com/why-dietrich-bonhoeffer-relevant-today
https://reinodiary.com/2025/02/09/stupidity-and-evil-bonhoeffers-insights/
https://www.dw.com/en/ice-on-us-streets-challenges-american-norms-founding-values/a-75679947
https://ronrolheiser.com/social-justice-and-contemplation/
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/justice-is-love-in-action-2022-10-21/
https://museumofprotest.org/methods/prayer-and-worship/
https://www.cts.edu/2025/08/06/free-webinar-series-prayer-in-an-age-of-authoritarianism/
https://www.equip.org/articles/troubling-truth-bonhoeffers-theology/
https://christianscholars.com/the-cost-of-grace-bonhoeffers-lesson-about-transformative-learning/
Join us in person for intention holding:
https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls
https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.
Our websites:
www.heartfulimpact.com/ Our show website.
https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.
https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.
https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.
https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.
Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.
Our show content is hosted by Podbean and available from all major podcast platforms.
Our theme music is by Chris Collins. indiemusicbox.com.
Our logo artwork is by AltoClassic (Getty Images/istock).
Contact us via Facebook Messenger from the Impact! Facebook group, or using any of the contact methods mentioned on our websites.
Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.
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