Bonhoeffer, Part 3 (Evil Understood)
by Michael Doyle

Courage sometimes needs permission,
And so it was for Dietrich's mission.
Harsh words weigh from damnation,
And were directed toward the Nazi nation.

Religion was not the Lord's game.
Indeed, religion was often to blame.
Jesus sought our full obedience,
And for us to accept our faith with confidence.

The church is meant to be a sanctuary.
Full pews are not necessary. 
But God's love comes as truth.
It is what keeps us in our youth.

The truth doesn't apologize for being the truth.
False chords and pithy sayings wouldn't save the jews.
Goosestepping its way across and over German history,
The Hitler Youth was nothing short of a complete tragedy.

The truth told was told to set Germany free,
And called for death in the name of true liberty.
Solace in the face of evil does no real good.
Not to speak and not to act is evil understood.

Hitler was a threat to all of humanity,
And the real church regarded the peril of Christianity.
There came a time to speak against this offense.
We must not allow any part in false pretense.

There comes a time when the Church must do more.
When that time arrives, it sears society forevermore.
This then was no time to stand idly by,
When we witness oppression, we must do more than cry.

Closed eyes and closed ears won't get us through harshness.
A brave heart and open eyes are required to pass the closeness.
When the Bible itself is changed to support naked heresy,
All true Christians must adhere to the doctrines of the Trinity.

The truest words that a godly man has spoken,
Are those that come from the hearts that have been broken.
Let the truth of The Light be openly learned,
So that the children of God have truly discerned.

It is certain that to escape the ways of the cruel game,
One must search one's heart as worthy and without blame.
Somewhere within humanity's surface is a vast shadow,
Yet still, we know some souls will bravely swing low.

Daring to carry home and try to live by God's throne,
There will be punishment from which no one can atone.
When the evil comes forward to claim you and me,
Will there be anyone left to try to set us free?

(c) February 9, 2026   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved