While I did not have the privilege of being a student of Martin Marty, my gratitude results from becoming a friend and recipient of his generous personality and academic erudition.
It was the occasion of the 2008 International Bonhoeffer Kongress in Prague that I – as the chair – was blessed to host Marty and Harriet (with Micah their travel guide) and introduce him for one of the plenary addresses. His interest in Bonhoeffer and his labors on the topic of global fundamentalism were relevant to the Kongress’ theme of secularism using the lens of Bonhoeffer’s ‘worldly theology.’ I was honored to introduce him to the gathering of international Bonhoeffer scholars and aficionados, including Jürgen Moltmann.
Because of that wonderful engagement and subsequent conversation, Marty honored me by including in his Biography of Bonhoeffer’s Letters and Papers from Prison, insights from my work on Bonhoeffer’s employment of the ancient Church’s ‘Disciplina Arcani.’ In vintage Marty, he offered gratitude beyond what I deserved.
Finally, knowing in around 2011 that he was cutting back on most all invitations to speak, reviews to be written, and scholarly endorsements (even for former doctoral students of his), I reluctantly asked if Marty would consider writing the Foreword to my new book, Bonhoeffer: A Brief Overview of the Life and Writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Because of his deep appreciation for Bonhoeffer’s gifts to twentieth-century theology and my passionate effort to perpetuate that same legacy, he agreed. I will be forever grateful for his diminishing – yet ever faithful – energy and his pastoral encouragement to yet one more pastoral colleague. ‘Requiescat in pace’ faithful servant of God and disciple of Jesus!
Rev. John W. Matthews
Past President of The International Bonhoeffer Society, English Language Section
Adjunct Instructor of Religion at Augsburg University