Was Bonhoeffer gay? That’s been a focus of inquiry and discussion since Charles Marsh has suggested the possibility in his new biography of Bonhoeffer, Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
There is an excellent summary of the discussion from Sarah Pulliam Bailey here, which links to the major reviews of Strange Glory thus far, as well as offers insight on Bonhoeffer’s sexuality from a few Bonhoeffer scholars. (Her section heading “Speculation without confirmation” seems appropriate, though one could also question the appropriateness of the speculation itself.) There is also this New York Times review of the book, just published on the newspaper’s site today.
Wesley Hill offers some valuable and nuanced perspective (as does Charles Marsh, whom he quotes) in this post at the Spiritual Friendship blog.
Of course, Marsh’s biography covers much more territory than just the nature of Bonhoeffer’s relationship with Eberhard Bethge. I have the Marsh biography, though have yet to complete the Bethge biography. I look forward to reading Marsh firsthand soon.
Words on the Word 