"Cheap grace is the mortal enemy of our church. Our struggle today is for costly grace." And with that sharp warning to his own church, which was engaged in bitter conflict with the official nazified state church, Dietrich Bonhoeffer began his book Discipleship (formerly entitled The Cost of Discipleship). Originally published in 1937, it soon became a classic exposition of what it means to follow Christ in a modern world beset by a dangerous and criminal government. At its center stands an interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount: what Jesus demanded of his followers-and how the life of discipleship is to be continued in all ages of the post- resurrection church. "Every call of Jesus is a call to death," Bonhoeffer wrote. His own life ended in martyrdom on April 9, 1945. Freshly translated from the German critical edition, Discipleship provides a more accurate rendering of the text and extensive aids and commentary to clarify the meaning, context, and reception of this work and its attempt to resist the Nazi ideology then infecting German Christian churches.
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About the Author
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (190645) studied in Berlin and at Union Theological Seminary in New York, played a central role in the Confessing Church during the Nazi period, and has become one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century. John D. Godsey is Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. Geffrey B. Kelly is Professor of Systematic Theology at LaSalle University, Philadelphia.
--This text refers to the
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Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born in Breslau in 1906. The son of a famous German psychiatrist, he studied in Berlin and New York City. He left the safety of America to return to Germany and continue his public repudiation of the Naz*s, which led to his arrest in 1943. Linked to the group of conspirators whose attempted assassination of Hitlerr failed, he was hanged in April 1945.
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent version of a classic work,
This review is from: Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Vol. 4) (Paperback)
This is a book that every Christian should read. Bonhoeffer is among the twentieth centuries greatest theologians, and Discipleship (formerly titled The Cost of Discipleship in English translations) is his most popular and enduring work. In it we find the clarion call to return to simple obedience to Christ without the naiveté that can so easily creep into such a call. "A paradoxical understanding of the commandments has a Christian right to it, but it must never led to the annulment of a simple understanding of the commandments. Rather it is justified and possible only for those who have already taken simple obedience seriously at some point in their lives, and so already stand in community with Jesus, in discipleship, in expectation of the end" (80) Bonhoeffer's rejection of "cheap grace," that "mortal enemy of our church," and the accompanying call for disciples of Christ to embrace the way of the cross stands as the central thesis of the book. Such an argument, while never in fashion, is nevertheless needed for every church in every age, and nobody makes the argument like Bonhoeffer.
A brief note on this edition of the book: The Bonhoeffer Works series is a must-own collection for serious students of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The updated translation is excellent, and though there are times when one longs for a particular turn of phrase from older translations there is little doubt that what is presented here is closer to the actual thought of the author. The introductions, afterwards, bibliography, indexes, and extensive notation apparatus are invaluable tools that enable the reader to go deeper into the text when he/she wants to without being so obtrusive that they preclude him/her from simply taking in the words of the author.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Kindle Version Needs Work,
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This review is from: Discipleship Dbw Vol 4 (Kindle Edition)
I read the earlier incarnation _The Cost of Discipleship_ years ago and am looking forward to reading the new translation, especially now that I have a better theological understanding of the issues. The introduction alone is a worthwhile read for those looking for a brief overview of Bonhoeffer's thought.
However, the Kindle edition needs work. Footnotes are in-line in the text instead of marked with links. The publisher needs to work on this as it is a tremendous distraction while reading.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of My Top Five Life Changing Books,
By Ken Clark, CFP (Little Rock, AR) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Vol. 4) (Paperback)
I first read this over ten years ago, but I still find Dietrich's words coming out of my mouth in various theological conversations. Absolutely one of the most challenging books I've ever read, especially as an American Christian.
Discipleship is an absolute must (and a great starting point) for people looking to push deeper into their own understanding of what it is to "follow after" Jesus. I particularly enjoyed this version for it's footnotes (something I usually skip). For those wanting some Bonhoeffer, but not wanting to commit to the larger work, I'd also strongly recommend his "Life Together." Enjoy! Ken Clark Author of The Complete Idiot' Guide to Getting Out of Debt
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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church struggle, costly grace, doctrinal discipline, pecca fortiter, better righteousness, cheap grace, sin boldly, external deed, gracious call, secular vocation Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Son of God, Confessing Church, New Testament, Old Testament, Lord's Supper, The Book of Concord, Eberhard Bethge, German Edition, Third Reich, The Epistle, The Divine Imperative, National Socialist, May God, Karl Barth, Old Covenant, Christ Jesus, Bonhoeffer's Luther Bible, German Christians, Small Catechism, God's Son, Evangelisches Gesangbuch, Willi Brandenburg, Emil Brunner Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
church struggle, costly grace, doctrinal discipline, pecca fortiter, better righteousness, cheap grace, sin boldly, external deed, gracious call, secular vocation Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Son of God, Confessing Church, New Testament, Old Testament, Lord's Supper, The Book of Concord, Eberhard Bethge, German Edition, Third Reich, The Epistle, The Divine Imperative, National Socialist, May God, Karl Barth, Old Covenant, Christ Jesus, Bonhoeffer's Luther Bible, German Christians, Small Catechism, God's Son, Evangelisches Gesangbuch, Willi Brandenburg, Emil Brunner Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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