Conclusion

Abstract This brief, final chapter, summarizes the main points made in the previous chapters to demonstrate the relevance of Bonhoeffer’s theology for our time. In creatively appropriating biblical and patristic anthropology for our modern age, Bonhoeffer contributes important insights to Christian reflection on current debates about human nature, politics, and secularity. In drawing his insights from the Christ-centered, incarnational theology of the greater tradition, Bonhoeffer’s work also possesses a deeply ecumenical appeal much needed for our time. His Christian personalism, together with his careful correlation of the nature-grace relation appeals to Eastern Orthodox theologians and strongly resembles the integral humanism of Catholicism in thinkers like Henri de Lubac and Jacques Maritain. Given our present postmodern, secular culture, Bonhoeffer’s hermeneutic theology, his humanist ethics, and integral humanism offer exactly the biblically based, philosophically informed and ecumenically appealing model of engaging life, i.e., the kind of Christian humanism, Christians ought to consider in responding to current cultural issues.