Bonhoeffer on The Devil

The Devil and The Sermon

Spiritual Warfare

Not only did Dietrich Bonhoeffer believe that The Devil was a literal being, and not a metaphor, he also taught his Homiletics students at Finkenwalde Seminary that every sermon is a type of spiritual warfare that does battle with The Devil.

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from Bonhoeffer's Lectures on Homiletics

“As a witness to Christ, the sermon is a struggle with demons. Every sermon must overcome Satan. Every sermon fights a battle. But this does not occur through the dramatic efforts of the preacher. It happens only through the proclamation of the One who has trodden upon the head of the devil.”

"Nothing is more important to Satan than to hinder Christ’s coming to the congregation. Therefore Christ must be preached.”

Bonhoeffer said we usually don't even recognize the Devil. But, since the Devil departs from Christ, and Christ is Incarnate in the Word preached, then the sermon is of the utmost importance.

The Call to Discipleship

We are in a daily struggle with Sin and Satan because of our call to be disciples of Christ.

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Since The Text preached in a sermon and shared in a conversation or a pastoral care call is one of the most effective tools we can use in that struggle, knowledge of scripture is a necessity.

Law and Gospel Hermeneutic

Martin Luther would say The Devil wants to confuse the Law and the Gospel- He Wants LAW! LAW! LAW! --- and no Gospel, or antinomianism, but no Law and Gospel hermeneutics.

*Antinomianism in Christianity is the belief that under the gospel dispensation of grace, moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.

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Practical Application of Bonhoeffer

"Lord, How will the Devil be defeated by this sermon?"

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---The singular point of a sermon, especially one that follows a Law and Gospel Hermeneutic, should be 'The Word Can Defeat Demons Through this Text by _____."