Humanity and God’s Preservation in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Theology: A Perspective on God’s Condescension in Christ

This study examines Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theological anthropology in response to the modern prioritization of biological life over human freedom, a phenomenon Giorgio Agamben describes as “bare life.” It argues that Bonhoeffer, through his contemplation of God’s condescension in Christ, uncovers a new foundation for divine preservation, offering a renewed vision of humanity. The study is structured into three parts. Part I explores Bonhoeffer’s critique of human existence through a Christological interpretation of creation and fall, tracing his reflections on divine preservation from Creation and Fall to Ethics. Part II examines how Bonhoeffer connects God and fallen humanity through the motif of God’s condescension in Christ, forming the basis for preservation. Part III analyzes his vision of preserved humanity in Ethics, emphasizing natural life, divine mandates, and the flow of life. The study concludes with a critical engagement with Hannah Arendt, reflecting on Bonhoeffer’s insights in light of her political thought.