Bonhoeffer and the Human Being

As part of my explorations, readings, musings, ramblings and googlings, I've been rediscovering Bonhoeffer's 'Act and Being', having tried to read it in what turned out to be an abortive attempt to read my way through his collected works! 'Act and Being is a convoluted, fascinating and complex piece of writing, tracing philosophical influences on Protestant and Catholic theology, with a focus on what we might today call 'theological anthropology'. Bonhoeffer examines the human being as a notion in a variety of settings; in Adam, in Christ, and in the Church.

I wonder if, with a little further study, there is some potential for using/recovering some of what Bonhoeffer explores in 'Act and Being'. I am contemplating focusing especially on this part of Bonhoeffers work at some point over the next few months, but what form that will take, and if it will pop up on this blog, remains to be seen.

In the meantime, if I've somewhat whet your appetite, you could read a paper from the Evangelical Theology Society's 2012 Annual Meeting, by Joseph McGarry, titled 'Theological Anthropology beyond Metaphysics: Dietrich Bonheoffer's Anthropology and Formation in Christ'. You can read it online here, and it is a helpful and fascinating read. In terms of other theological exploration/engagement of/with 'Act and Being, the extensive introduction in the (pictured above) edition of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's works that I am lucky enough to have, provides a few clues.

Has anyone read this? What did you make of the paper? Would love to have a conversation about this...