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God Is on the Cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter
These forty stirring devotions will guide and inspire readers as they move thematically through the weeks of Lent and Easter, encountering themes of prayerful reflection, self-denial, temptation, suffering, and the meaning of the cross. Passages from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's letters and sermons provide special encouragement as readers prepare themselves spiritually for Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Supplemented by an informative introduction to Bonhoeffer's life and a Scripture passage for each day of the season, these daily devotions are moving reminders of the true gift of Christ on the cross.
112 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2012
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About the author
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
374 books1,801 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 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 6, 2013
God Is On the Cross by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a devotional book containing reflections on Lent and Easter that would normally be read over the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter but since I do not personally celebrate Lent, I just read the entire book as I would any other book. It is a wonderful book full of insight, inspiration, and encouragement which is just as relevant for any season of the year as it is for Easter.
The book contains forty devotionals with the themes of prayerful reflections, self denial, temptation, the purpose of suffering, and the meaning of the cross. All devotionals are taken from the writings and sermons of Bonhoeffer and each day also contains pertinent scripture from the Bible. Letters from Bonhoeffer to his parents, friends, and fiancee and a few passages from other Christian writers are included in the book.
I was touched by all the devotionals but the message that touched me most was Bonhoeffer’s definition of Easter. “Easter is not about immortality but about resurrection from a death that is a real death with all its frightfulness and horrors, resurrection from a death of the body and the soul, of the whole person, resurrection by the power of God’s mighty act. This is the Easter message.” And as so many today seem to think, Easter is NOT about the Easter bunny and colored eggs. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to delve deeper into the true meaning of Easter and what it means to the world.
This book was provided to me free by Westminster John Knox Press and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review.
The book contains forty devotionals with the themes of prayerful reflections, self denial, temptation, the purpose of suffering, and the meaning of the cross. All devotionals are taken from the writings and sermons of Bonhoeffer and each day also contains pertinent scripture from the Bible. Letters from Bonhoeffer to his parents, friends, and fiancee and a few passages from other Christian writers are included in the book.
I was touched by all the devotionals but the message that touched me most was Bonhoeffer’s definition of Easter. “Easter is not about immortality but about resurrection from a death that is a real death with all its frightfulness and horrors, resurrection from a death of the body and the soul, of the whole person, resurrection by the power of God’s mighty act. This is the Easter message.” And as so many today seem to think, Easter is NOT about the Easter bunny and colored eggs. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to delve deeper into the true meaning of Easter and what it means to the world.
This book was provided to me free by Westminster John Knox Press and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review.
May 6, 2021
Beautiful reflections on Lent and Easter.
I used it as a devotional book and was moved to think beyond usual Easter narrative. This book combines Biblical verses with preachings and teachings as well as personal letters that Bonhoeffer has preached/taught/written as well as those letters he had recieved from his friends and family. Highly recommended for Lent/Easter season.
I used it as a devotional book and was moved to think beyond usual Easter narrative. This book combines Biblical verses with preachings and teachings as well as personal letters that Bonhoeffer has preached/taught/written as well as those letters he had recieved from his friends and family. Highly recommended for Lent/Easter season.
April 11, 2022
This is a deep and penetrating devotion to read through Lent. We read through it with a multi-age group from our church this Lenten season. The book was well-received.
This small book presents a Lenten devotional for each day throughout. Each devotional has a Scripture text to think about and then two quotations written by Bonhoeffer. These may be from any of his books that he has written, such as Cost of Discipleship, Life Together, Ethics, Psalms, or Letters and Papers from Prison. Each devotional is grouped under a particular subheading: prayer, self-denial, suffering, temptation, the cross, preparing for Holy Week, and Holy Week. This allows the reader to focus on these topics for the week.
The organization of these devotionals around the traditional Lenten themes was a strongpoint of this book. It is unfortunate that these themes are not being heard as frequently in the church today. A lesser biblical literacy as well as the desire for happier messages has obscured these deep themes.
The book contains quotes from Bonhoeffer which are deep. Some may really appreciate the depth. Some might get overwhelmed with the depth, however. In leading a discussion of these devotionals this past Lent, several from the congregation felt that they needed more time to consider all that he was saying. They appreciated his depth, but they really needed to think about them for some time.
It would help the overall presentation if a timeline of Bonhoeffer's life would be included as an appendix to the book. This would help put some of his quotations in better perspective.
If anyone is interested in twentieth century Christian thought, they should read Bonhoeffer. This book is a great place to begin. I recommend it also for Lenten devotions.
This small book presents a Lenten devotional for each day throughout. Each devotional has a Scripture text to think about and then two quotations written by Bonhoeffer. These may be from any of his books that he has written, such as Cost of Discipleship, Life Together, Ethics, Psalms, or Letters and Papers from Prison. Each devotional is grouped under a particular subheading: prayer, self-denial, suffering, temptation, the cross, preparing for Holy Week, and Holy Week. This allows the reader to focus on these topics for the week.
The organization of these devotionals around the traditional Lenten themes was a strongpoint of this book. It is unfortunate that these themes are not being heard as frequently in the church today. A lesser biblical literacy as well as the desire for happier messages has obscured these deep themes.
The book contains quotes from Bonhoeffer which are deep. Some may really appreciate the depth. Some might get overwhelmed with the depth, however. In leading a discussion of these devotionals this past Lent, several from the congregation felt that they needed more time to consider all that he was saying. They appreciated his depth, but they really needed to think about them for some time.
It would help the overall presentation if a timeline of Bonhoeffer's life would be included as an appendix to the book. This would help put some of his quotations in better perspective.
If anyone is interested in twentieth century Christian thought, they should read Bonhoeffer. This book is a great place to begin. I recommend it also for Lenten devotions.
April 1, 2024
I love the Advent devotional - God is in the Manger. It is one I come back to every year, so I was excited to see this Lenten devotional of Bonhoeffer’s. But, I was a bit disappointed. To me, the readings were not as impactful as the advent reading selections. Maybe I’ll try it again another year and have a different opinion.
April 5, 2013
I received a advanced copy from Netgalley.com
Having read a biography written by Eric Metaxas of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I was grateful to be able to read this collection of Lent and Easter reflections culled from sermons, letters, and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer himself. It helps have knowledge of Bonhoeffer's life, his passion for Christian discipleship, and that he was imprisoned for the failed German resistance plot to assassinate Hitler.
Arranged by the five weeks of Lent and the week proceeding Easter, the topics include: Prayerful Reflection, Self-Denial, Temptation, The Purpose of Suffering, The Cross, Holy Week.
Each day has a reflection, an excerpt from a letter or one of Bonhoeffer's books, and a Scripture text.
This book provided a good framework for meditation during Lent and Easter season and enriched my life as I focused on God. Recommended for Christian readers.
Having read a biography written by Eric Metaxas of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I was grateful to be able to read this collection of Lent and Easter reflections culled from sermons, letters, and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer himself. It helps have knowledge of Bonhoeffer's life, his passion for Christian discipleship, and that he was imprisoned for the failed German resistance plot to assassinate Hitler.
Arranged by the five weeks of Lent and the week proceeding Easter, the topics include: Prayerful Reflection, Self-Denial, Temptation, The Purpose of Suffering, The Cross, Holy Week.
Each day has a reflection, an excerpt from a letter or one of Bonhoeffer's books, and a Scripture text.
This book provided a good framework for meditation during Lent and Easter season and enriched my life as I focused on God. Recommended for Christian readers.
March 11, 2013
This is a short devotional for Lent focusing on the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Pastor Bonhoeffer was a pastor in Germany that stood up against the Nazis and was ultimately executed for that belief.
The entries in the book are short. Each day's entry has a section of a sermon, some scripture to reflect on, and some bonus material like part of a letter from Dietrich or some poetery. The readings are almost too brief for much reflection. It's a tough balance to write a daily devotional guide for people who have lives so busy that they rarely take time for reflection, but the entries in this book come across as too scant at times. Still the readings do cause reflection during the holy season, and do serve as a way to take daily time to reflect, even if briefly.
If this devotional can serve to kindle further interest in Pastor Bonhoeffer and his struggle, then it has value.
The entries in the book are short. Each day's entry has a section of a sermon, some scripture to reflect on, and some bonus material like part of a letter from Dietrich or some poetery. The readings are almost too brief for much reflection. It's a tough balance to write a daily devotional guide for people who have lives so busy that they rarely take time for reflection, but the entries in this book come across as too scant at times. Still the readings do cause reflection during the holy season, and do serve as a way to take daily time to reflect, even if briefly.
If this devotional can serve to kindle further interest in Pastor Bonhoeffer and his struggle, then it has value.
April 16, 2013
God is on the Cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter offers forty devotional readings during the Lenten season leading up to Easter. Dietrick Bonhoeffer is listed as the author, but he died in 1945. O. C. Dean Jr. translated Bonhoeffer's letters, sermons, and writings while Jana Reiss compiled and edited the book.
The readings are arranged by themes of prayerful reflection, self-denial, temptation, suffering, and the cross. Each day includes a reflection written by Bonhoeffer, scripture, and occasionally additional material for further reflection. The readings can be enjoyed in one sitting for the busy individual. If readers want a longer study during Lent, they can re-read each entry throughout the day or find a biography about Bonhoeffer to pair with this devotional.
Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Westminster John Knox Press (WJK)!
The readings are arranged by themes of prayerful reflection, self-denial, temptation, suffering, and the cross. Each day includes a reflection written by Bonhoeffer, scripture, and occasionally additional material for further reflection. The readings can be enjoyed in one sitting for the busy individual. If readers want a longer study during Lent, they can re-read each entry throughout the day or find a biography about Bonhoeffer to pair with this devotional.
Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Westminster John Knox Press (WJK)!
February 27, 2013
I have a confession to make. I've always avoided reading noted theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, putting him on my way-too-scholarly-for-me list. I was wrong. After reading Bonhoeffer's reflections every day since Lent began, I learned he is far more relatable than I thought. In God Is on the Cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter, each day's readings contain a reflection from Bonhoeffer on that week's theme, a short scripture reading, and a second, shorter reflection. This book is a good choice for anyone looking to do a little extra spiritual reading on their Lenten journey. I will recommend it to my faith-sharing group.
March 15, 2013
I find Bonhoeffer insightful and inspiring. However, overall I was disappointed in God Is on the Cross. The passages are just too short. I need more to reflect on. And taking a paragraph out of its context sometimes left me a little confused. I wish the daily entries were longer, had more meat to them, especially during the Lenten season. I know that many people are quite busy and probably appreciate the briefness of these devotions, but for me personally, it's not quite what I'm looking for.
See my whole review at my blog, Carol's Notebook.
See my whole review at my blog, Carol's Notebook.
March 28, 2016
I really enjoyed "God is in the Manger" - the advent reading based on Bonhoeffer's writings, so wanted to read this one during lent. Unfortunately, I really didn't get to grips with it. I found the ideas quite hard to understand and couldn't really follow the thinking behind them. Surprised to be disappointed and fully ready to admit it may be my failing more than that of the material.
March 29, 2016
What a lovely book to work through during the season of lent. Dietrich Bonhoeffer has a way to issue a challenge about how to live and process the reality of faith that cuts right to me heart. Equal parts inspirational, reverent and challenging, it was a great way to spend my mornings during lent.
March 21, 2013
I liked it as a Lenten reading, but I wish there was more commentary from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. If a book's cover says it is written "by Dietrich Bonhoeffer", then I wanted more of him, not necessarily his editors. At least put the editors on the cover as well. Anyway. Good book!
April 18, 2015
Read this through the Lent season and I am always humbled and challenged by the view of suffering that Bonhoeffer had. It puts the distractions of my life that I get so worked up about in the right perspective.
April 5, 2015
God is on the Cross is a daily devotional for the Lent season. The daily entries are short enough to be manageable on a daily basis, but still quite meaningful. Each day includes a passage of scripture, a note from one of Bonhoeffer's works or sermons, and a quote.
March 27, 2016
Great Lenten Resource
This is a wonderful resource for the Lenten season. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on the first Sunday of Easter providing gems from Bonhoeffer that nourish us on the journey. Just terrific.
This is a wonderful resource for the Lenten season. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on the first Sunday of Easter providing gems from Bonhoeffer that nourish us on the journey. Just terrific.
April 20, 2014
I utilized this book for my devotional time during Lent 2014 and was tremendously blessed by the truths and powerful insights of Bonhoeffer. I highly recommend!
November 11, 2014
A very interesting read for Lent and Easter. Great meditation to keep the reader focused during the Lenten season.
April 22, 2019
Beautiful
Beautiful in its simplicity and depth A beautiful life of understanding and love. The reflections are admirable. Highly recommend it.
Beautiful in its simplicity and depth A beautiful life of understanding and love. The reflections are admirable. Highly recommend it.
April 20, 2025
This is a wonderful Lent and Easter devotional book. It consists of well edited selections from the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a well known and treasured Christian theologian of the early Twentieth Century. If it had not been for WWII and the Third Reich in Germany many would not know of Pastor and teacher Bonhoeffer. He began teaching in the 1920s and was part of Neo-orthodox reform in Christian theology. When Hitler demanded the Church take a knee to him, Bonheoffer and others left the Evangelical Church of Germany to form a Confessing Church. Later work by Bonhoeffer and others to assassinate Hitler led to his arrest and execution.
This work skillfully gives you daily Lenten readings with reflections from various of his works tied to Scripture which as a minister he was interpreting. I highly recommend it for devotion and meditation.
This work skillfully gives you daily Lenten readings with reflections from various of his works tied to Scripture which as a minister he was interpreting. I highly recommend it for devotion and meditation.
March 31, 2024
“God Is On The Cross” is a collection of daily meditations for the Lenten season beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with Easter. It was translated from German by O C Dean Jr. and was compiled and edited by Jana Riess from the writings of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945). Bonhoeffer was arrested by the Nazis in 1943 and hanged April 8, 1945. Many of the writings in the book were made during his prison confinement.
The book is divided into seven sections:
1. Prayer Reflection
2. Self-Denial
3. Temptation
4. The Purpose of Suffering
5. The Cross
6. Preparing for Holy Week
7. Holy Week
Bonhoeffer’s faith remains undiminished throughout his ordeal and for that he is most deserving of 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The book is divided into seven sections:
1. Prayer Reflection
2. Self-Denial
3. Temptation
4. The Purpose of Suffering
5. The Cross
6. Preparing for Holy Week
7. Holy Week
Bonhoeffer’s faith remains undiminished throughout his ordeal and for that he is most deserving of 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 5, 2018
This carefully constructed selection of extracts from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's books, sermons, and letters, and scripture verses, served as my nightly companion through the 40 days of Lent. Bonhoeffer's writing is frequently insightful, inspiring, unnerving, and confounding. In short, a perfect companion on a spiritual journey, deterring the traveler from the expected, superficial, and mundane.
March 31, 2024
Travelling through Lent with Dietrich
This is not the first year that I've used this book as part of my reflective journey through lent, the deep words written from a prison cell inspire. They invite a personal response to the love of God.
There is a problem with it being a week short this year, but still a very valuable spiritual resource for any prayer person or small group.
This is not the first year that I've used this book as part of my reflective journey through lent, the deep words written from a prison cell inspire. They invite a personal response to the love of God.
There is a problem with it being a week short this year, but still a very valuable spiritual resource for any prayer person or small group.
April 12, 2020
These selections are vintage Bonhoeffer, with a deep focus on discipleship in light of the cross. They seem more poignant this year, reading his words written from prison while I'm on lockdown at home. Recommended, not just for Lent, but for anytime during the year, to refocus on Jesus' sacrifice.
March 31, 2021
A beautiful devotional for Lent and for Holy Week by one of the best theologians who truly explains and reminds us about taking up our cross daily and following Christ. A must-read for the Easter season
April 4, 2021
A very nice Lenten devotional that helped me stay focused on the meaning of the season leading to Easter. Most days included quotes or small passages from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s works and sermons which inspired me to want to know more about this man who was martyred by the Nazis.
April 4, 2021
This devotional is missing one week of Lent. This is disappointing if one is not aware before starting. In addition, it seems that the daily devotionals are not actually written by Bonhoeffer, but the editor, with some quotes from Bonhoeffer
April 22, 2019
Very little Bonhoeffer and very repetitive. Many other Lent books out there are much better.
April 3, 2021
A wonderful Lenten study. Highly recommend.
April 6, 2021
This is a good devotional book for the Lenten season. I love Bonhoffer's thoughts. The daily readings are very short.
April 9, 2023
Very thought provoking. I believe I will read this every season of Lent. I feel that there is much more to get out of this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews