HONG KONG- Christian leaders were moved by the prominent German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s commitment to follow Christ and his fearlessness in face of Nazi’s evil political regime.

Feb. 4 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bonhoeffer. Christian leaders gathered for a seminary with the theme "Christ Enters the World- Bonhoeffer’s Social Ethics" organized by the Hong Kong Church Renewal Movement (HKCRM) and the Christian publishing company Media Mark Ltd.

A video about the life of Bonhoeffer was screened, featuring the Nazi’s era in Germany. The audience was inspired as it helped them experience the situation of a theologian confined under Hitler’s rule. The screening was followed by a speech delivered by Dr. Andres S.K.Tang, senior professor from the Hong Kong Baptist Seminary.

Tang explained the struggles in Bonhoeffer’s life in that chaotic era. Deeply affected by the Sermon on the Mount in the Bible preached by Jesus to his followers, "allegiance first to Jesus Christ" is the focus of his life. Under the influence of Hitler’s thoughts-particularly extremism and racism- that has caused great destruction, Bonhoeffer has never retreated to stop Nazi’s persecution on Germans and Jews.

Bonhoeffer is very well-known in 1980’s, but many people have overlooked his achievement in testifying his faith and living a true gospel life in the 1990’s, Tang pointed out. He hopes that through reviewing Bonhoeffer’s life this time, believers can mediate on how they can live a life that follows Christ on this earth.

[Editor’s note: Chris Chan contributed reporting from Hong Kong for this article.]