Richards writes book on Bonhoeffer and Bultmann

Dr. Jeffrey Jon Richards has published a book, ”War Time Preaching and Teach

ing.“

Published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing, the book is about the World War II era, which Richards believes has much to say about our condition today.

The work documents the methods of two theological/philosophical giants of that era — Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Rudolf Bultmann.

Specifically the work examines their methods of interpreting the Christian message and how they both presented their conclusions in a period of unprecedented conflict. Both denounced strongly National Socialism or Nazism.

Because of his role in the resistance movement, Bonhoeffer lost his life a few days before the end of the war at age 39. Like von Stauffenberg as portrayed in the recent movie ”Valkyrie,“ he believed it was his duty to resist what he saw as an evil regime.

Bultmann continued to teach as a professor at the University of Marburg through the war years, even though he and the faculty had strongly spoken out against National Socialism.

The book examines several of Bonhoeffer’s and Bultmann’s writings written in the midst of war, many of which are still considered to be classics today. Their sermons, letters and books reflect the need for continuous hope and faith, especially during times of conflict and war.

”The work is a should-read for those who want to understand more fully this time period in world history and anyone hoping to see parallels to our contemporary international religious and political culture,“ Richards writes.

Richards has graduate degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary, Drew University and Marburg University in Germany. He is pastor of New Gilead Church in Concord and an administrator at Barber-Scotia College. He lives in Salisbury with his wife Debbie. They have grown twin daughters, Emily and

Lauren.