Strange Glory by Charles Marsh

Strange Glory by Charles Marsh

Strange Glory by Charles Marsh, is a unique biography of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Marsh recounts the events of Bonhoeffer’s life with a flare for experiential narrative. By that I mean that Marsh is able to give us the human experience behind the events in Bonhoeffer’s life. Taking us through the early years of Bonhoeffer’s life to his studies, Marsh guides us through the personal experiences in Bonhoeffer’s life which affected his theological impressions. Marsh takes us on a world tour of Bonhoeffer’s life and theological convictions: from Rome to Barcelona to Tübingen, Berlin, Finkelwalde, Harlem and eventually Tegel Prison. Bonhoeffer’s writings are imprinted with the experiences and relationships that shaped him. These relationships include Barth, von Harnack, and in this case especially Bethge.

Like another reviewer from the Gospel Coalition, I noticed how Marsh was struck by the level of attention Bonhoeffer gave to his clothing. In nearly every chapter Marsh weaves in a comment by Bonhoeffer or another friend regarding the style or condition of his clothes.

Marsh spends many chapters concerning the friendship between Bethpage and Bonhoeffer. The friendship is described as close and loving. Marsh writes that other seminarians have wondered about Bonhoeffer’s relationship with Bethge (236). Marsh shows Bonhoeffer as a man who tries to remain close to Bethge (336-337). The New York Times states that Marsh highlights:

Bonhoeffer as he developed a lifelong, homoerotic relationship with a student, Eberhard Bethge, although Marsh insists it was chaste.

First Things also highlights the strange friendship which was highlighted in this Strange Glory biography:

Marsh treats the friendship as a de facto love affair, at least from Bonhoeffer’s side. On the evidence he presents, in the form of quotations and accounts of various incidents, the characterization is convincing.

Unfortunately, many reviewers spend considerable time discussing this unusual relationship between Bonhoeffer and Bethge. Instead, one should concentrate on the value of Bonhoeffer as a man who spent his last years defending the church against a fascist regime that oppressed all kinds of minorities and social outcasts. Bonhoeffer showed how a Christian should resist the government while also presenting the proper Christian community exhibiting the love of God.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.