Bonhoeffer and Feminist Theologies

Abstract

Given Bonhoeffer’s sexist and patriarchal views, feminist theologians have not readily turned to Bonhoeffer as a resource for their constructive thinking. Three Bonhoeffer scholars—Rachel Muers, Lisa Dahill, and Karen Guth—offer feminist analyses that not only draw attention to the incompleteness and inadequacy of traditional readings of Bonhoeffer’s theology, but also demonstrate the productive potential for sustained engagement with his work. In doing so, they offer a twofold challenge: first, traditional Bonhoeffer scholarship is pressed to address his sexism and critically attend to issues hitherto ignored in his work; second, feminist theologies are pressed to consider Bonhoeffer as a rich theological resource for addressing a number of shared concerns. These three thinkers offer methods for mutually beneficial engagement that are overlapping yet distinct enough to provide a textured and sure foundation for this largely untapped area of Bonhoeffer studies.