Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian, known for his public resistance against Hitler and the Nazi Party in the 1930s and 1940s. Bonhoeffer perfectly embodies what it means to be a martyr, as he created a resistance and ultimately lost his life to defend his beliefs against social injustice and the Nazi regime. Bonhoeffer's actions and ethical beliefs are still seen as exemplary and as the foundation of modern ethics. First, I will describe Bonhoeffer's upbringing and key events in his life. Then I will talk about Bonhoeffer's anti-Nazi resistance, which led to his death in a Nazi extermination camp. Finally, I will examine the communities that transformed Bonhoeffer into a martyr after his death and the beliefs for which he died. Bonhoeffer was born on February 4, 1906 in Breslau, Germany, along with his twin sister Sabine. Bonhoeffer was one of eight children raised in an aristocratic, well-educated family. His father Karl was a well-known professor of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Berlin. Dietrich grew up in a liberal religious family, but to his parents' dismay, at the age of 14 he decided to become a theologian and minister. By 1923, Bonhoeffer had enrolled in theological studies at the University of Tübingen, where he excelled in his studies under such eminent theologians as Hans Lietzmann and Adolf von Harnack. He completed the equivalent of his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Tübingen before earning his doctorate in theology, summa cum laude from the University of Berlin in 1927. By this time, Bonhoeffer had already begun to formulate strong ideas about Church and against social injustice within the community. In 1930, Bonhoeffer received the Sloane Fellowship, which allowed him to… middle of paper… follow Christ. Furthermore, Bonhoeffer is one of only ten modern martyrs to be commemorated with a statue in Westminster Abbey in London. Bonhoeffer was a visionary Christian who believed in following the will of Jesus by promoting social justice. His teachings have influenced Christians to not only have a relationship with Jesus, but to translate it into action in their daily lives. He believed he could achieve this through actions such as campaigning for civil rights and helping the oppressed. Bonhoeffer played a vital role in enlightening German Christians of the dangers of a Nazi state-run church. Above all, Bonhoeffer will always be remembered for his public criticism and resistance against the oppression of Jews. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was an example of moral courage and a martyr for his faith, who ultimately gave his life to fight social injustice.