Customer Reviews

I Want to Live These Days with You: A Year of Daily Devotions

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This collection of writings of Bonhoeffer is a gem of daily meditations. Just when I think I know his writings something else comes along that opens that door even wider. His thoughts are timeless, and certainly as meaningful today as when they were written in Nazi Germany. These are not random thoughts, but rather group together topically which enhances their spiritual value.

This is a very attractively-presented collection of daily readings from the writings of German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Loosely following the Church's year and gathered from many of his writings, including those when he was imprisoned by the Nazis before his execution, they show how Bonhoeffer understood the meaning of discipleship and the importance of placing God at the centre of the believer's life. Biblical references are given to help the reader towards further study and, although generally fairly short passages for each day, there is plenty to think about. The book is US-published with American spelling but the translations of the original German read smoothly and fluidly apart from the Preface by Manfred Weber with its slightly clunky translation. This is an excellent collection and a great introduction to this important 20th century thinker.

With a couple of shelves of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's works and books about his theology it never occurred to me that I would be interested in this kind of book, but when our associate pastor pointed out one meditation to me I was knocked out by the translation! The translation is perfectly glorious and utterly readable. The translation of "Von guten Machten" alone is worth the price of the book. The readings are well edited and provide splendid daily readings.It is a wonderful introduction to Bonhoeffer and those who know Bonhoeffer well will find all manner of delightful surprises.

If you like to be challenged in your thoughts about God, then this devotional book is for you.

This book could be your key to being a good Christian.
It is keyed with all the info from where each entry comes from, thus facilitating further readings.
Bonhoeffer is a true martyr and a true believer (in the God connection of Jesus) and his beliefs hold true (for me, anyway), so it does help me in my faith.
Is the format a little simplistic? Maybe, but that is not such a bad thing, considering how complex the idea of Christianity/faith really is.
So, yes, I would highly recommend this book to any journeyman Christian.

I have read Bonhoeffer's 'Ethics' several times, and often found myself stopping to digest what I had read and sometimes feeling like it was over my head. Reading selections from his works, letters, and poetry in this daily devotional format has proved fruitful for my comprehension of his creative mind and deep faith, and thus deepened my own faith. Each day's selection is referenced in the back, so one can find its source and thus access the full work, making these selections great stepping stones into them and even deeper study.