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The Cost of Discipleship
Vintage paperback
352 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1963
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11 people want to read
About the author
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
370 books1,788 followersWorks of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Protestant theologian of Germany, concern Christianity in the modern world; for his role in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, people executed him.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer served as a Lutheran pastor. He, also a participant in the movement of Resistance against Nazism and a member, founded the confessing church. Members of the Abwehr, the military intelligence office planned his involvement, which resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent hanging in April 1945 shortly before the end of the war. His secular view influenced very many people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietric...
Dietrich Bonhoeffer served as a Lutheran pastor. He, also a participant in the movement of Resistance against Nazism and a member, founded the confessing church. Members of the Abwehr, the military intelligence office planned his involvement, which resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent hanging in April 1945 shortly before the end of the war. His secular view influenced very many people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietric...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 13, 2025
This book is amazing! This is a great call from simple forgiveness into the seriousness of repentance and confession.
“The cross is Gods truth about us, and therefore it is the only power which can make us truthful.” Cost of discipleship
“The world is the world and the Church the Church, and yet the Word of God must go forth from the Church into all the world, proclaiming that the earth is the Lord's and all that therein is.” Cost of Discipleship
“The saints are only conscious of the strife and distress, the weakness and sin in their lives; and the further they advance in holiness, the more they feel they are fighting a losing battle and dying in the flesh.” Cost of Discipleship
This is a book every confessing Christian needs to read. Amazing!
“The cross is Gods truth about us, and therefore it is the only power which can make us truthful.” Cost of discipleship
“The world is the world and the Church the Church, and yet the Word of God must go forth from the Church into all the world, proclaiming that the earth is the Lord's and all that therein is.” Cost of Discipleship
“The saints are only conscious of the strife and distress, the weakness and sin in their lives; and the further they advance in holiness, the more they feel they are fighting a losing battle and dying in the flesh.” Cost of Discipleship
This is a book every confessing Christian needs to read. Amazing!
February 22, 2024
This was an enjoyable read that I have put off for some time. It is difficult to pick up a book that you know will challenge your faith and reveal areas of growth and improvement. This lived-up to expectations but I am so glad I have read it. Bonhoeffer's essays on the Sermon on the Mount and the church were incredible. His passion for the truth was evident throughout. So many sentences were underlined and thought provoking.
I feel that I understand Bonhoeffer better having read this and hope to at some point read a biography to round out my study of him. A critique would be some rocky translation. I am not sure what the translation was but there definitely were some phrasing difficulties at points but I assume that occurred due to being originally written in German.
Lastly, rating this book was difficult. As some of the content at the end seemed to repeat concepts, though from a different angle, from earlier in the book. It was thorough but I was ready to be done by the last three chapters. This may not be a fault of the content but the assembly of the essays chosen. All in all I would recommend a read as his essays on discipleship, life of the body Christ(the Church) and the Sermon on the Mount -- just incredible!
I feel that I understand Bonhoeffer better having read this and hope to at some point read a biography to round out my study of him. A critique would be some rocky translation. I am not sure what the translation was but there definitely were some phrasing difficulties at points but I assume that occurred due to being originally written in German.
Lastly, rating this book was difficult. As some of the content at the end seemed to repeat concepts, though from a different angle, from earlier in the book. It was thorough but I was ready to be done by the last three chapters. This may not be a fault of the content but the assembly of the essays chosen. All in all I would recommend a read as his essays on discipleship, life of the body Christ(the Church) and the Sermon on the Mount -- just incredible!
May 18, 2024
I'm gonna be honest, I'm gonna have to re-read it. I listened to it as an audiobook, and it was tough sometimes to follow along while listening. I'm not sure if it was just how it was written/translated, or what exactly it was.
That being said, when I was tuned in and followed the arguments and preaching, it was really really good. He makes convicting arguments about our salvation, works, and relationship to others; especially our relationship to the church and the state. How he talks about us as Christians needing to be called by Christ, not just following the law is powerful.
I'm not sure why the title is translated as "the cost of discipleship". The original German (Nochfolge) translated to following or succession or just discipleship. I thought it'd be more about the struggles of discipleship, but it focuses more on the sermon on the mount, what it means to be called by Christ and how we should live differently as Christians.
I would highly recommend this book, even if I didn't agree with 100% of its theology. The practicality and the emphasis placed upon living for Christ is indispensable.
Final rating 8.5/10
That being said, when I was tuned in and followed the arguments and preaching, it was really really good. He makes convicting arguments about our salvation, works, and relationship to others; especially our relationship to the church and the state. How he talks about us as Christians needing to be called by Christ, not just following the law is powerful.
I'm not sure why the title is translated as "the cost of discipleship". The original German (Nochfolge) translated to following or succession or just discipleship. I thought it'd be more about the struggles of discipleship, but it focuses more on the sermon on the mount, what it means to be called by Christ and how we should live differently as Christians.
I would highly recommend this book, even if I didn't agree with 100% of its theology. The practicality and the emphasis placed upon living for Christ is indispensable.
Final rating 8.5/10
January 18, 2024
My edition isn't listed on Goodreads, so my page numbers were different. Finished this and have taken a few days to consider writing a review. The weight of thoughts covered in this book are valuable reflection to all Christians. Walk through them.
At times, the writing felt somewhat cyclical, like I was tagging along as another looked at a work of art from all sides while I was ready to move on. Still, I spent the time looking as well. Dietrich could be strident, quite hardline at times. Personally, I think our world could use a push in that direction, even if it felt uncomfortable.
The final chapter left me awash in glory. I read through it twice, literally holding my breath at the mastery of how he laid out 'the first Adam' and the ensuing consequence of sin to us all, and the second man Jesus Christ, His purpose and accomplishment in coming to earth to take on our flesh nature, suffer for our sins, and defeat death. His wording was so monumentally perfect, explaining so clearly what transpired from point to point, bringing us understanding and the offered Hope... please read it. I certainly will go back and read it many times more.
At times, the writing felt somewhat cyclical, like I was tagging along as another looked at a work of art from all sides while I was ready to move on. Still, I spent the time looking as well. Dietrich could be strident, quite hardline at times. Personally, I think our world could use a push in that direction, even if it felt uncomfortable.
The final chapter left me awash in glory. I read through it twice, literally holding my breath at the mastery of how he laid out 'the first Adam' and the ensuing consequence of sin to us all, and the second man Jesus Christ, His purpose and accomplishment in coming to earth to take on our flesh nature, suffer for our sins, and defeat death. His wording was so monumentally perfect, explaining so clearly what transpired from point to point, bringing us understanding and the offered Hope... please read it. I certainly will go back and read it many times more.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews