The book is the first major study to bring together the two early twentiethcentury theologians Dietrich Bonhoeffer German Lutheran pastor and Simone Weil French philosopher and convert to Christianity. Both were victims of Nazi oppression and neither survived the war. The book explores the two theologians reflections on Christian responsiveness to God and neighbour being the interdependence of the two great commandments of the Jewish Law reiterated by Jesus. It sets out the common ground and the differing emphases in their interpretations. For Bonhoeffer responsiveness was the transformation of the whole person effected by faith Gestaltung and the responsibility Verantwortung for ones actions which it implies. For Weil responsiveness was the hope and expectation of grace attente reflected in attention the capacity to listen to understand and help others. Both Bonhoeffer and Weil faced a world dominated by aggression and horrendous suffering. Both endeavoured to articulate their responses as Christians to that world. The relevance of their thought to the twentyfirst century is explored in relation to perspectives on grace and freedom on aggression suffering and forgiveness and on the role of the church in society. Conclusions are illustrated by reference to contemporary theologians including Rowan Williams Daniel Hardy Frances Young and David Tracy.