Bonhoeffer nodded. “You are in some ways closer to powerful people in the government than I. Your family name, your contacts—you could be a powerful force for the good of our nation.”

The baron took in his friend’s words but did not reply. He thought for a moment, then slowly rose from his chair, strolled toward the window and gazed silently out, his back to the room. Still the snow struggled to release its white blanket from the thick clouds above, with here and there a large flake fluttering about in the gusty wind.

When at length the baron spoke, his voice revealed that his brain had considered every angle of the question long before this day.

“There is not a man of conviction and conscience who possesses even an ounce of courage who has not asked himself that question a thousand times in the past two or three years,” he sighed, as he turned and paced slowly through the room. “The only ones who have not considered it are either blind or fools, or altogether without the backbone of a man. I make no claim, Dietrich, to much more than an ounce of courage. I pray to our Father that when it is demanded of me I shall indeed have the courage of one of his sons. But I do have convictions, and my conscience is extremely busy these days. And so, yes, I have pondered and prayed over your question many, many times—as I know you have.”

“And what answer have you arrived at?”

“Nothing concrete, I’m afraid. I continue to pray. And as I do, I cannot reconcile the example of Jesus to active societal and political involvement—for me, I say, not for you, or anyone else. My conscience only extends around the boundaries of my own being, and imposes its constraints upon no one else.”

“I understand.”

“I recognize,” the baron went on, “that our Father has taken us down very different roads, Dietrich. You have been in the public eye, I have not. You have a ministry among many, whereas my flock is here at Lebenshaus. I have a family that must be my chief concern.”

He paused.

“In answer to your question,” he went on after a moment, “I doubt I could join the resistance. I do not necessarily say it is wrong for a Christian to do so. I cannot say that, for I know you did not arrive at your decision without much prayer. But I feel for me to do so would not be God’s purpose for me.”

“What do you see as his purpose for you in these troubled times, Heinrich?” asked Bonhoeffer.