Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Vol. 4) [Paperback]

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003 | Series: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Book 4)

"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.

Editorial Reviews

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 Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: FORTRESS PRESS (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800683242
• ISBN-13: 978-0800683245
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.8 x 7.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent version of a classic work August 22, 2009

By Mac S. Sandlin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Kindle Version Needs Work August 5, 2010

By D. Arnold

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Now a Great Edition September 5, 2011

By Stephen C. Long

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I appreciate the previous reviewers reports about the Kindle formatting problem. I am happy to report that, as of my purchase, the footnoting has been fixed. I am confident their reviews effected the improvement.

Why should you pay more for this edition of "Discipleship" ("The Cost of Discipleship" in other translations) than other editions that are available. This is part of a series that is collecting Bonhoeffer's works, determining the true German original (textual criticism), and adding helpful notes in order to understand the "sitz im leben" at the time Bonhoeffer wrote particular things, their place in his theological corpus, and relationship to the rest of the corpus.

The notes also help with understanding how Bonhoeffer uses particular German words and, for those with some German ability, allows you to see the actual German word used when the editors believed it would be helpful.

The editors also explain Bonhoeffer's use of certain Greek words, eg, they tell us Bonhoeffer uses the Greek "philanthropia" in the literal sense of "love of human persons," rather than as the word "philanthropy" is used in American culture. I note that the Greek fonts appear fairly clearly, a quality that is not uniform among Kindle books.

I believe this critical edition is worth the added expense.