Dr. Reggie WIlliams: Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus

On this episode, we're presenting highlights from one of our most enlightening virtual forums of the past year.

The talk focuses on a turning point in the life of Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German who lived from 1906 to 1945. Bonhoeffer is widely known for his resistance to Nazi dictatorship and genocide, and for his writings on Christianity in secular life, including his classic book, The Cost of Discipleship. Lesser-known is the impact on Bonhoeffer of his year of study at Union Seminary in New York, in 1930-31, during which he worshiped at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church and was deeply influenced by Harlem Renaissance intellectuals.

Dr. Reggie Williams writes about this subject in his award-winning book, Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance. Dr. Williams is our featured guest for this forum, which Queen Anne Lutheran co-hosted with St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Bellevue.

Watch a video of the forum here, with additional audience Q&A.