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Theologians on the Christian Life
Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life: From the Cross, for the World
The abundance of conferences, lectures, and new books related to Dietrich Bonhoeffer attests to the growing interest in his amazing life and thought-provoking writings. The legacy of his theological reflections on the nature of fellowship, the costliness of grace, and the necessity of courageous obedience has only been heightened by the reality of how he execution at the hands of a Nazi death squad. In this latest addition to the popular Theologians on the Christian Life series, historian Stephen J. Nichols guides readers through a study of Bonhoeffer’s life and work, helping readers understand the basic contours of his cross-centered theology, convictions regarding the Christian life, and circumstances surrounding his dramatic arrest and execution.
Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.
Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
31 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Stephen J. Nichols
76 books97 followersStephen J. Nichols (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is president of Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer of Ligonier Ministries. Previously, he served as research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College. He is an editor (with Justin Taylor) of the Theologians on the Christian Life series and is the author of several books, including The Reformation, For Us and for Our Salvation, The Church History ABCs, and Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 10, 2014
I recently found out about (and read) Stephen Nichols’ book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life and theology called Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life: From the Cross, for the World (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013). At just over 200 pages, it is quite a bit shorter and more accessible than Metaxas’ similar book. In fact, there is a lot of overlap between the two books, although Nichols focuses a bit more on theology than Bonhoeffer’s life.
The book is structured well. There are five main parts: 1) Intro, 2) Foundations (Christ and community), 3) Disciplines (word, prayer, confession), 4) Life (worldliness, freedom, love), and 5) Literature (suggestions for further reading). Nichols writes in a clear and readable way; the book wasn’t too difficult to read or understand. There was some repetition in the book, but overall it was well written.
However, I hesitate to recommend this book. Why? Well, to put it simply, because Nichols intentionally reads and interprets Bonhoeffer as a conservative, orthodox evangelical with a high view of Scripture (see chapter 4). In his reading, Nichols sees Bonhoeffer as a conservative who believed in the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture and who held to an orthodox Christology. Nichols also worked hard to distance Bonhoeffer from Barth (see footnote 15 in chapter 4). These issues have been debated for quite a few years; many good scholars have showed that Bonhoeffer was not a conservative evangelical in today’s sense of the term. In my own reading, I have found places where Bonhoeffer questioned the historicity of Genesis 1-3, where he seemed to have a higher-critical view of the OT, and where he echoed Barth in Christology. I believe Nichols did not accurately summarize Bonhoeffer’s theology.
In fact, when I was about halfway through this book I could easily guess where it was going: in the direction of evangelical theology (evangelical views on preaching, prayer, devotions, church, love, etc.). By the end of the book I didn’t feel like I was learning Bonhoeffer’s views, but reviewing evangelical theology. I was hoping that there would be some constructive criticism of Bonhoeffer’s views, that there would be explanations of how Bonhoeffer developed and/or changed in his theological views, and how we should view Bonhoeffer’s language and theological constructions (in a Barthian way? In a Lutheran way? etc.). There was no significant critique of Bonhoeffer in this book.
In summary, I was disappointed with Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life because it paints too evangelical a picture of Bonhoeffer. I love reading Bonhoeffer, I’ve learned much from him, I’ll keep reading him, but I also see several serious problems with his views and writings. Nichols’ account flattened Bonhoeffer’s views and took the excitement and “strangeness” out of them. I like to run across a passage in Bonhoeffer that makes me upset, challenges me, and forces me to read it again (and put an exclamation point or question mark by it!).
If you want a book that wrestles with Bonhoeffer’s theology in a critically constructive and accurate way, you’ll want to pass on this one.
The book is structured well. There are five main parts: 1) Intro, 2) Foundations (Christ and community), 3) Disciplines (word, prayer, confession), 4) Life (worldliness, freedom, love), and 5) Literature (suggestions for further reading). Nichols writes in a clear and readable way; the book wasn’t too difficult to read or understand. There was some repetition in the book, but overall it was well written.
However, I hesitate to recommend this book. Why? Well, to put it simply, because Nichols intentionally reads and interprets Bonhoeffer as a conservative, orthodox evangelical with a high view of Scripture (see chapter 4). In his reading, Nichols sees Bonhoeffer as a conservative who believed in the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture and who held to an orthodox Christology. Nichols also worked hard to distance Bonhoeffer from Barth (see footnote 15 in chapter 4). These issues have been debated for quite a few years; many good scholars have showed that Bonhoeffer was not a conservative evangelical in today’s sense of the term. In my own reading, I have found places where Bonhoeffer questioned the historicity of Genesis 1-3, where he seemed to have a higher-critical view of the OT, and where he echoed Barth in Christology. I believe Nichols did not accurately summarize Bonhoeffer’s theology.
In fact, when I was about halfway through this book I could easily guess where it was going: in the direction of evangelical theology (evangelical views on preaching, prayer, devotions, church, love, etc.). By the end of the book I didn’t feel like I was learning Bonhoeffer’s views, but reviewing evangelical theology. I was hoping that there would be some constructive criticism of Bonhoeffer’s views, that there would be explanations of how Bonhoeffer developed and/or changed in his theological views, and how we should view Bonhoeffer’s language and theological constructions (in a Barthian way? In a Lutheran way? etc.). There was no significant critique of Bonhoeffer in this book.
In summary, I was disappointed with Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life because it paints too evangelical a picture of Bonhoeffer. I love reading Bonhoeffer, I’ve learned much from him, I’ll keep reading him, but I also see several serious problems with his views and writings. Nichols’ account flattened Bonhoeffer’s views and took the excitement and “strangeness” out of them. I like to run across a passage in Bonhoeffer that makes me upset, challenges me, and forces me to read it again (and put an exclamation point or question mark by it!).
If you want a book that wrestles with Bonhoeffer’s theology in a critically constructive and accurate way, you’ll want to pass on this one.
October 16, 2025
Good book. Not quite what I was expecting. It was more theological than biographical.
May 30, 2023
Bonhoeffer is obviously a very inspiring man, and has some really great insights (especially on Christian fellowship). However, this book is not hugely helpful or engaging. The writing is rather bland.
Still, I did learn a bit, and will read more of Bonhoeffer as a result.
Liked it.
Still, I did learn a bit, and will read more of Bonhoeffer as a result.
Liked it.
August 6, 2013
Bonhoeffer was a delight to read. It's my new favorite book in this series which is wonderful by the way. For me Bonhoeffer is such an intriguing character. He's a modern day martyr. He stood face to face against evil. He also was a churchman. He loved the body of Christ. There's also been a lot of conversation whether his theology was evangelical. The history, rich theology, debate, and end all make for one of the most interesting modern Christians to read about.
If you've never heard or read much about Bonhoeffer, this book is a great place to start. Nichols strikes a nice balance between exploring his theology (the main point of the book), but also fixing that within the context of his life. So you get just enough background to really whet your appetite. He ends by providing a helpful bibliography for further reading. It's not exhaustive and overwhelming; it's straightforward and helpful.
It was evident Bonhoeffer loved Jesus Christ. Jesus was central to Bonhoeffer's theology and because of our union with Jesus the church was held in high esteem by Bonhoeffer as well. Nichols expounds Bonhoeffer's theology as Christo-ecclesiology with an ethical ("love your neighbor") focus (p. 53, 61). Bonhoeffer describes his own theology concisely when he says, "We are the church beneath the cross" (p. 56). At the foot of the cross, we steadfastly gaze upon our Savior. He shapes our churches.
If you love biography and theology, Bonhoeffer won't let you down. If you love Jesus and his Church (or if you're disillusioned with her), Bonhoeffer will show you what faith that has seen the risen Christ looks and acts like. The man Bonhoeffer will intrigue because we see so few genuine examples of faith in the crucible of life. Bonhoeffer will teach you how to live and die well.
Originally posted at Grace for Sinners
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life free from Crossway. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
If you've never heard or read much about Bonhoeffer, this book is a great place to start. Nichols strikes a nice balance between exploring his theology (the main point of the book), but also fixing that within the context of his life. So you get just enough background to really whet your appetite. He ends by providing a helpful bibliography for further reading. It's not exhaustive and overwhelming; it's straightforward and helpful.
It was evident Bonhoeffer loved Jesus Christ. Jesus was central to Bonhoeffer's theology and because of our union with Jesus the church was held in high esteem by Bonhoeffer as well. Nichols expounds Bonhoeffer's theology as Christo-ecclesiology with an ethical ("love your neighbor") focus (p. 53, 61). Bonhoeffer describes his own theology concisely when he says, "We are the church beneath the cross" (p. 56). At the foot of the cross, we steadfastly gaze upon our Savior. He shapes our churches.
If you love biography and theology, Bonhoeffer won't let you down. If you love Jesus and his Church (or if you're disillusioned with her), Bonhoeffer will show you what faith that has seen the risen Christ looks and acts like. The man Bonhoeffer will intrigue because we see so few genuine examples of faith in the crucible of life. Bonhoeffer will teach you how to live and die well.
Originally posted at Grace for Sinners
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life free from Crossway. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
September 30, 2021
2021 reads: #42
Rating: 5 Stars
Bonhoeffer was a remarkable man. In many ways this is because he followed his Saviour. This theological biography of Bonhoeffer gives us details of what grounded his focus in discipleship and ethics. Here is a man with a practical Christology that does not lack orthodox expression. Here is a man who understands the nature of the church as a community. Here is a man who understood the role of spiritual disciplines in the Christian life. Here is a man with a high view of Scripture in the midst of a hostile theological environment. And here is a man who demonstrates what self-denial looks like in the pursuit of following Christ as we live in and for the world.
Rating: 5 Stars
Bonhoeffer was a remarkable man. In many ways this is because he followed his Saviour. This theological biography of Bonhoeffer gives us details of what grounded his focus in discipleship and ethics. Here is a man with a practical Christology that does not lack orthodox expression. Here is a man who understands the nature of the church as a community. Here is a man who understood the role of spiritual disciplines in the Christian life. Here is a man with a high view of Scripture in the midst of a hostile theological environment. And here is a man who demonstrates what self-denial looks like in the pursuit of following Christ as we live in and for the world.
January 17, 2022
Nichols writes about Bonhoeffer with a healthy balance between anecdotes and theology. I give this 4 stars because his writing can at times feel superfluous in detail.
But the book was worth the read because of the various challenges I am confronted with in my discipleship. Including...
1. that we serve a God of weakness and I must not forget our place as a church under the cross
2. that suffering + serving is the path to freedom
3. praying wrongly looks like making my requests all about me, instead of him
4. we do the Christian life in Christ, in (church) community, in love
5. we mustn't pit the view of embracing the world and rejecting it (worldliness) against each other
But the book was worth the read because of the various challenges I am confronted with in my discipleship. Including...
1. that we serve a God of weakness and I must not forget our place as a church under the cross
2. that suffering + serving is the path to freedom
3. praying wrongly looks like making my requests all about me, instead of him
4. we do the Christian life in Christ, in (church) community, in love
5. we mustn't pit the view of embracing the world and rejecting it (worldliness) against each other
February 2, 2025
Enjoyable read encapsulating Bonhoeffer’s writings on the Christian life. Encouraged that he lived these things out in a situation far more difficult that our own.
January 26, 2022
This series of 'theological biographies' are excellent, and of the few I have read this one tops the lot so far. It is an inspirational read for life and faith.
Read
July 23, 2025This was my first exposure to Bonhoeffer. I thought it to be an interesting read, particularly regarding the season of life of running an underground seminary and his letters from prison. The words that come to my mind reading this: conviction and confidence. The Gospel is worthy to give full conviction to and find full confidence in, even if it seems like you're the only one, even if it costs you your life. Enjoyed reading it.
Top quotes:
36. Either hope and redemption reside within human beings so we become the object of our own faith, or hope and redemption reside outside us, alien to us, so we look beyond ourselves to object of our faith. Only when we come to the end of ourselves do we see our true need. That is the Christian view.
77. [Bonhoeffer] “This is very important. Jesus tells us that when you want to pray to God, think first of all about God. Leave yourselves completely aside for a moment and see how much more important it is that we first learn to say: your name, your kingdom, your will. First you, and again you. Your name and not mine, your will and not mine.”
81. …you are free to deny a high view of Christ and his work, and you are even free to deny a high view of the Bible. But you cannot deny such beliefs and at the same time call it Christianity. You are no more free to do that than you are free to create square circles – it’s a contradiction in terms.
99. John Calvin once likened prayer to a treasure chest buried in one’s backyard. Imagine knowing there is such a treasure chest, right at our disposal, and never bothering to dig it up. That’s exactly what happens when we fail to pray.
113-114. For some reason theology often gets pitted against spirituality. We see this tension in such popular sayings as “I don’t want to know about God. I want to know God.” Think about telling your wife or husband that you don’t want to know things about her or him; you only want to know her or him. That would not serve you very well. It makes no more sense to say it of God…. Danger lurks in saying, “I don’t want to know about God.” We know God in knowing about God – that’s a far better way to put it.
159. [Bonhoeffer] “In the church today, we know much too little about the strange blessing of bearing something. Bearing, but not shaking it off, bearing, but also not collapsing underneath. Bearing as Christ bore the cross, remaining below, and there below – finding Christ.”
160. [Bonhoeffer] “God does not give us everything we want but he does fulfill all his promises.”
161. [Bonhoeffer] “Brother, till the night be past, Pray for me!”
175. [Bonhoeffer] “…. So let us continue to be really patient for rest of the time we’re compelled to wait, and not waste a single hour grousing and grumbling. From God’s standpoint, this time of waiting is immensely valuable, much depends on how we endure it…. I’m convinced that our love and our marriage will derive eternal strength from this time of trial. So let us wait, with and for each other, until our wedding day dawns. It won’t be much longer, my dear, dear Maria.”
190. [Bonhoeffer] “Please don’t ever get anxious or worried for me, but don’t forget to pray for me – I’m sure you don’t. I am so sure of God’s guiding hand that I hope I shall always be kept in that certainty. You must never doubt that I’m traveling with gratitude and cheerfulness along the road where I’m being led. My past life is brim-full of God’s goodness, and my sins are covered by the forgiving love of Christ crucified. I’m most thankful for the people I have met, and I only hope that they never have to grieve about me, but that they, too, will always be certain of, and thankful for, God's mercy and forgiveness."
Top quotes:
36. Either hope and redemption reside within human beings so we become the object of our own faith, or hope and redemption reside outside us, alien to us, so we look beyond ourselves to object of our faith. Only when we come to the end of ourselves do we see our true need. That is the Christian view.
77. [Bonhoeffer] “This is very important. Jesus tells us that when you want to pray to God, think first of all about God. Leave yourselves completely aside for a moment and see how much more important it is that we first learn to say: your name, your kingdom, your will. First you, and again you. Your name and not mine, your will and not mine.”
81. …you are free to deny a high view of Christ and his work, and you are even free to deny a high view of the Bible. But you cannot deny such beliefs and at the same time call it Christianity. You are no more free to do that than you are free to create square circles – it’s a contradiction in terms.
99. John Calvin once likened prayer to a treasure chest buried in one’s backyard. Imagine knowing there is such a treasure chest, right at our disposal, and never bothering to dig it up. That’s exactly what happens when we fail to pray.
113-114. For some reason theology often gets pitted against spirituality. We see this tension in such popular sayings as “I don’t want to know about God. I want to know God.” Think about telling your wife or husband that you don’t want to know things about her or him; you only want to know her or him. That would not serve you very well. It makes no more sense to say it of God…. Danger lurks in saying, “I don’t want to know about God.” We know God in knowing about God – that’s a far better way to put it.
159. [Bonhoeffer] “In the church today, we know much too little about the strange blessing of bearing something. Bearing, but not shaking it off, bearing, but also not collapsing underneath. Bearing as Christ bore the cross, remaining below, and there below – finding Christ.”
160. [Bonhoeffer] “God does not give us everything we want but he does fulfill all his promises.”
161. [Bonhoeffer] “Brother, till the night be past, Pray for me!”
175. [Bonhoeffer] “…. So let us continue to be really patient for rest of the time we’re compelled to wait, and not waste a single hour grousing and grumbling. From God’s standpoint, this time of waiting is immensely valuable, much depends on how we endure it…. I’m convinced that our love and our marriage will derive eternal strength from this time of trial. So let us wait, with and for each other, until our wedding day dawns. It won’t be much longer, my dear, dear Maria.”
190. [Bonhoeffer] “Please don’t ever get anxious or worried for me, but don’t forget to pray for me – I’m sure you don’t. I am so sure of God’s guiding hand that I hope I shall always be kept in that certainty. You must never doubt that I’m traveling with gratitude and cheerfulness along the road where I’m being led. My past life is brim-full of God’s goodness, and my sins are covered by the forgiving love of Christ crucified. I’m most thankful for the people I have met, and I only hope that they never have to grieve about me, but that they, too, will always be certain of, and thankful for, God's mercy and forgiveness."
January 24, 2015
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. He was a man who lived in a difficult and pivotal period of the 20th century, dealing first hand with the impact of the Nazi regime in Germany. Bonhoeffer also saw the acquiescence of the German church to the policies of Hitler. These and many other events helped to shape Bonhoeffer’s thoughts on the Christian life, specifically on matters of discipleship and what he so rightly labeled as the penchant for many believers to settle for cheap grace. As part of the excellent Theologians on the Christian Life series, Stephen Nichols examines Bonhoeffer’s life and theology.
I have become increasingly interested in the works of Bonhoeffer over the past year. He was always a figure of church history I felt was a bit neglected. Given that he was a man who personally dealt with tyranny and its impact on the church, he was of course well suited to speak to what it means to make a stand for matters of truth and to share from his own life thoughts on what being a disciple of Jesus is truly about.
Stephen Nichols truly brings to life the underlying importance of Bonhoeffer and the important message he so rightly focused on declaring. There is a perfect balance in Nichol’s book of exploring Bonhoeffer’s theology as well as digging into the life events that led Bonhoeffer to the positions he so often rooted his works upon. While reading this book, I felt almost transported back to the period of history Bonhoeffer lived, as Nichols deft ability to draws the reader into both Bonhoeffer the man and Bonhoeffer the theologian.
Bonhoeffer loved God first and foremost and closely following that passion for God was a love for the people of God. Living in Nazi Germany and dealing with the daily choice that existed between succumbing to the will of the state or holding fast to the will of God led Bonhoeffer to coin that marvelous of theological phrases called cheap grace. For Bonhoeffer, “discipleship means conforming to the image of Christ, which entails suffering.” Such a concept is far too often lost in today’s search for material blessings. I appreciated Nichol’s salient note that Bonhoeffer embraced suffering “not because he’s an incurable pessimist or an ascetic, but because suffering drives him to grace.”
If you are even remotely interested in the life and theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I highly recommend this book as a valuable entry point into his writings and thoughts. Nichols does a superb job of capturing who Bonhoeffer was, how his theology was formed in the crucible of suffering, and why we should pay attention to his timeless words on issues such as discipleship, community, and the costliness of grace.
I received this book for free from Crossway Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I have become increasingly interested in the works of Bonhoeffer over the past year. He was always a figure of church history I felt was a bit neglected. Given that he was a man who personally dealt with tyranny and its impact on the church, he was of course well suited to speak to what it means to make a stand for matters of truth and to share from his own life thoughts on what being a disciple of Jesus is truly about.
Stephen Nichols truly brings to life the underlying importance of Bonhoeffer and the important message he so rightly focused on declaring. There is a perfect balance in Nichol’s book of exploring Bonhoeffer’s theology as well as digging into the life events that led Bonhoeffer to the positions he so often rooted his works upon. While reading this book, I felt almost transported back to the period of history Bonhoeffer lived, as Nichols deft ability to draws the reader into both Bonhoeffer the man and Bonhoeffer the theologian.
Bonhoeffer loved God first and foremost and closely following that passion for God was a love for the people of God. Living in Nazi Germany and dealing with the daily choice that existed between succumbing to the will of the state or holding fast to the will of God led Bonhoeffer to coin that marvelous of theological phrases called cheap grace. For Bonhoeffer, “discipleship means conforming to the image of Christ, which entails suffering.” Such a concept is far too often lost in today’s search for material blessings. I appreciated Nichol’s salient note that Bonhoeffer embraced suffering “not because he’s an incurable pessimist or an ascetic, but because suffering drives him to grace.”
If you are even remotely interested in the life and theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I highly recommend this book as a valuable entry point into his writings and thoughts. Nichols does a superb job of capturing who Bonhoeffer was, how his theology was formed in the crucible of suffering, and why we should pay attention to his timeless words on issues such as discipleship, community, and the costliness of grace.
I received this book for free from Crossway Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 28, 2014
I think Stephen Nichols did a great job is presenting Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life. I must admit that Bonhoeffer is one of my heroes. I have long believed his to be a solid evangelical because of his view of Scripture and its centrality in the life of the believer. This work re-enforced my belief.
Here we see well displayed Bonhoeffer's "Christo-ecclesiology" - the dual emphasis of life from the cross (christology) and life in the church (ecclesioloy) leading to the disciplines of the Christian life. Nichols has chosen three spiritual disciplines to show Christ is at the center of Bonhoeffer's view. The three are: reading and obeying Scripture, prayer, and the practice of theology. I read Nichols along with volumes 5 of the Works: Life Together & Prayer Book of the Bible.
For those seeking an introduction to Bonhoeffer this book is a good place to begin. These is a large corpus of books about Bonhoeffer and also by Bonhoeffer. Regarding the latter, the 16 volume Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, English edition published by Fortress Press, Minneapolis is the definitive set - expensive.
Here we see well displayed Bonhoeffer's "Christo-ecclesiology" - the dual emphasis of life from the cross (christology) and life in the church (ecclesioloy) leading to the disciplines of the Christian life. Nichols has chosen three spiritual disciplines to show Christ is at the center of Bonhoeffer's view. The three are: reading and obeying Scripture, prayer, and the practice of theology. I read Nichols along with volumes 5 of the Works: Life Together & Prayer Book of the Bible.
For those seeking an introduction to Bonhoeffer this book is a good place to begin. These is a large corpus of books about Bonhoeffer and also by Bonhoeffer. Regarding the latter, the 16 volume Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, English edition published by Fortress Press, Minneapolis is the definitive set - expensive.
February 24, 2016
Bonhoeffer has been unappreciated, minimized, and even placed into the extreme liberal camp by many, however we as Reformed Christians should appreciate the Christ-like legacy of Bonhoeffer––a man who stood firm in a time of great adversity and overwhelming odds and helped to reinforce the church’s message when the world was in chaos. The book highlights several of Bonhoeffer’s different areas of theological strength, from the Bonhoeffer’s Christological focus to his tenderness to the need for humility and his understanding of biblical discipleship. Ultimately Nichols shows us that we can indeed think of Bonhoeffer as a brother who was orthodox, and indeed close to us, who stemmed the tide of Nazism and secularism with orthodoxy.
March 7, 2016
First book I've read on Bonhoeffer and it is inspiring. It's a blessing to be able to learn from people whose words are timely long after their deaths.
June 20, 2022
As someone who has been deeply impacted by the thinking of Bonhoeffer, Nichols' work to me is both refreshingly in its scope and profound it's elucidations on Bonhoeffer's teachings.
Similar to Eric Metaxas' masterful biography: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Prophet Martyr, Spy, what the reader has here is a throughly researched and deftly nuanced presentation of a man whose impact on twentieth century theological thought is still reverberating down to us today. I am personally indebted to Nichols and Metaxas for the scale of their vision and insightfulness.
This work is organized around several key motifs found throughout Bonhoeffer's sermons, writings and personal correspondences. The most poignant of these is his definitive Christo-centric vision of the community of faith (Life Together) before the world (Cost of Discipleship and Ethics). Readers will also find excellent critiques of Bonhoeffer's views on Scriptures, social engagement, his personal character and his views on eternity. There is, additionally, a humanizing aspect found in the numerous reference to Bonhoeffer's correspondence with his fiancé, Maria von Wedemeyer and his close friend, Eberhard Bethge.
Nichols' style is engaging and deeply evocative. I often paused to ponder the significance of a life so lived in devotion to Christ despite inconceivable challenges. Furthermore, I found innumerable implications for our own times as we witness in today's Church world an abandonment of personal allegiance to Christ as seen through the Scriptures. Different eras, different political climates but the same challenge of fidelity to Christ. We can only hope that more such works are produced to spur us forward in our love of Jesus.
Similar to Eric Metaxas' masterful biography: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Prophet Martyr, Spy, what the reader has here is a throughly researched and deftly nuanced presentation of a man whose impact on twentieth century theological thought is still reverberating down to us today. I am personally indebted to Nichols and Metaxas for the scale of their vision and insightfulness.
This work is organized around several key motifs found throughout Bonhoeffer's sermons, writings and personal correspondences. The most poignant of these is his definitive Christo-centric vision of the community of faith (Life Together) before the world (Cost of Discipleship and Ethics). Readers will also find excellent critiques of Bonhoeffer's views on Scriptures, social engagement, his personal character and his views on eternity. There is, additionally, a humanizing aspect found in the numerous reference to Bonhoeffer's correspondence with his fiancé, Maria von Wedemeyer and his close friend, Eberhard Bethge.
Nichols' style is engaging and deeply evocative. I often paused to ponder the significance of a life so lived in devotion to Christ despite inconceivable challenges. Furthermore, I found innumerable implications for our own times as we witness in today's Church world an abandonment of personal allegiance to Christ as seen through the Scriptures. Different eras, different political climates but the same challenge of fidelity to Christ. We can only hope that more such works are produced to spur us forward in our love of Jesus.
April 24, 2020
Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life, by Stephen J. Nichols.
•
Like every other book that I have read in this series, this book did not disappoint. The writing was fantastic, and the information was both interesting, & helpful.
•
If you are familiar with this series, you will know that this IS NOT a biography of Bonhoeffer. Rather, it is an overview of his thought.
•
With that stated, in chapter 1, we are given a brief biography of his life so that we will have a faint understanding of who is is, before we get into what he believed. From chapters 2-9, we are given a peak into Bonhoeffer’s thoughts on (1) Life from the Cross, (2) Life in the Church, (3) the Word of God, (4) Prayer, (5) Confessions, (6) Worldliness*, (7) Freedom, and (8) Love.
•
*The chapter on worldliness is not what one thinks of when that term is read. By “worldliness”, Bonhoeffer is referring to the outspoken message of Christ to the world, not the monkish idea of seclusion.
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Lastly, in chapter 10, Nichols gives us a list of recommendations, if one is wanting to delve deeper into the works of Bonhoeffer. Some of these these works include, “The Cost of Discipleship”, “Life Together”, & more.
•
One of my favorite new phrases that I learned from this book is the word “Christotelic”, which is comprised of 2 words: (1) Christ & (2) telos=purpose/design. By using this phrase, Nichols describes to us Bonhoeffer’s idea of discipleship, that is, we live towards Christ.
•
I highly recommend, not only this book, but any book on this series!
•
Like every other book that I have read in this series, this book did not disappoint. The writing was fantastic, and the information was both interesting, & helpful.
•
If you are familiar with this series, you will know that this IS NOT a biography of Bonhoeffer. Rather, it is an overview of his thought.
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With that stated, in chapter 1, we are given a brief biography of his life so that we will have a faint understanding of who is is, before we get into what he believed. From chapters 2-9, we are given a peak into Bonhoeffer’s thoughts on (1) Life from the Cross, (2) Life in the Church, (3) the Word of God, (4) Prayer, (5) Confessions, (6) Worldliness*, (7) Freedom, and (8) Love.
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*The chapter on worldliness is not what one thinks of when that term is read. By “worldliness”, Bonhoeffer is referring to the outspoken message of Christ to the world, not the monkish idea of seclusion.
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Lastly, in chapter 10, Nichols gives us a list of recommendations, if one is wanting to delve deeper into the works of Bonhoeffer. Some of these these works include, “The Cost of Discipleship”, “Life Together”, & more.
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One of my favorite new phrases that I learned from this book is the word “Christotelic”, which is comprised of 2 words: (1) Christ & (2) telos=purpose/design. By using this phrase, Nichols describes to us Bonhoeffer’s idea of discipleship, that is, we live towards Christ.
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I highly recommend, not only this book, but any book on this series!
June 3, 2019
In the context of a Nazi ideology that ruthlessly prized narrowly-defined human strength, the preaching of the cross was utter folly - and yet that is what Bonhoeffer chose to preach, and we can thank God for his legacy. Nichols explores more of what that legacy might say to us in this part-biographical, part-systematic distillation of some of his works. Quite a few topics are covered, but it was Bonhoeffer's reflections on church life that most struck me. He wrote with a refreshing realism about frustrations and conflicts in Christian communities, and yet longed for such communities to be authentically Christ-like. He also wisely placed the "ministry of holding one's tongue" at the top of his life of church ministries!
I looked forward to finally reading something from this series, and I'm glad I did, and yet it did feel somewhat superficial, simplistic, and predictable. There were sections where Nichols just seemed to be quote-mining Bonhoeffer's works for a generic evangelical theology of the Christian life. I'm also aware of the criticism of Bonhoeffer scholars on evangelical treatments of him - I haven't read enough to judge, but such criticism does at least suggest Bonhoeffer was more complex than Nichols allows.
I have a few more of these on my shelf, and I look forward to opening them too - but if you're about to start exploring this series, you might want to try one of the other volumes for a stronger read.
I looked forward to finally reading something from this series, and I'm glad I did, and yet it did feel somewhat superficial, simplistic, and predictable. There were sections where Nichols just seemed to be quote-mining Bonhoeffer's works for a generic evangelical theology of the Christian life. I'm also aware of the criticism of Bonhoeffer scholars on evangelical treatments of him - I haven't read enough to judge, but such criticism does at least suggest Bonhoeffer was more complex than Nichols allows.
I have a few more of these on my shelf, and I look forward to opening them too - but if you're about to start exploring this series, you might want to try one of the other volumes for a stronger read.
January 17, 2018
When I picked up this book I was expecting it to be a biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer - that was not the case. Instead, Stephen Nichols takes you down the path of Bonhoeffer's theology. From what I have heard about Bonhoeffer (I haven't read much on him hence wanting to read a bio), he was a Christian liberal who was deeply moved by the ecumenical movement. Nichols, on the other hand, takes the approach that Bonhoeffer was a conservative Christian who took the Word of God for what it said, who had a high view of the Cross, and a deep passion out those beliefs through evangelism and other avenues. Even though this book was not what I was expecting, I was glad to have read it.
March 19, 2018
This book was a little better than "okay," but not much. Nichols seemed to stay at the surface level of Bonhoeffer's writing. Perhaps this is the rare series entry that could have stood a little more length. He does manage to show effectively that Bonhoeffer was indeed orthodox, even evangelical. His love of Scripture is an underappreciated feature of the man. But Bonhoeffer is known for having profound things to say about the Christian Life (which is supposed to be the thrust of this series), but this book never seemed to get there. It was also quite less biographical than most of the other entries. So, disappointing.
December 3, 2025
Good book on the life of Bonhoeffer. Balanced approach to his life and convictions. Nichols is clearly a fan of Bonhoeffer, but this isn't written as a glowing tribute. It is a good review of his life as a minister, what he believed, how he taught, what he wrote (and what led him to write what he did), etc. It's a short book, so it is not intended to be a thorough examination of his whole life, but this is a great introduction to who Bonhoeffer was. The only criticism I might have is the unqualified and somewhat odd inclusion of quotes from Bill Hybels, Bruce Springsteen, and Kris Kristofferson. Otherwise, it is well worth reading, especially if you don't know much about Bonhoeffer.
April 20, 2022
Rich insight into Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, I appreciated the book and his life much.
““If we want to have Christ, we must recognize that He makes crucial claims on our entire lives. We understand Him, not if we make room for Him in merely one province of our spiritual life, but only if our life takes its orientation from Him alone. The religion of Christ is not the tid bit after the bread, it is the bread itself or it is nothing.”-
““If we want to have Christ, we must recognize that He makes crucial claims on our entire lives. We understand Him, not if we make room for Him in merely one province of our spiritual life, but only if our life takes its orientation from Him alone. The religion of Christ is not the tid bit after the bread, it is the bread itself or it is nothing.”-
February 13, 2025
"Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life" is not only a lovely little introduction to Bonhoeffer’s life and thought but also deeply practical. This is the kind of book that both ministers and laypeople could truly benefit from, offering a moving application of Bonhoeffer’s theology to the Christian life. The concluding pages, with recommendations for further reading, were a nice touch. I also found the Nichols' defense of Bonhoeffer as an evangelical hero compelling and convincing.
January 24, 2020
A great summary on the life and teachings of Bonhoeffer. I appreciated Nichols tone more than Truman's (Luther) in this series, though Nichols does neglect the more liberal aspects of Bonhoeffer's theology that make evangelicals uncomfortable.
November 4, 2022
This is good with some helpful observations and systematised overview of his thought in a simple but sometimes simplistic way. His reliance on Metaxas' flawed biography is a problem in my view. Worth reading but not the best in the series .
September 21, 2023
Bonhoeffer’s theology and worldview is both challenging and inspiring. The teachings inside this book were timely, as well. I’m definitely incredibly interested to read more about this man and strengthen my faith in the process.
August 28, 2024
I enjoyed the book, and I appreciate having a general introduction to Bonhoeffer, but I really don't feel that the problem or his orthodoxy or heterodoxy was resolved. Nichols just takes him as an evangelical and runs with it without acknowledging reasons people have claimed he isn't orthodox.
May 20, 2025
This book is an overview on Bonhoeffer's life & who he was in a snapshot. I really appreciated the context it gives me to read Bonhoeffer's work itself. I took one star off because it wasn't the most gripping, though it was very encouraging. I listened to this book as an audiobook.
May 8, 2020
The book is fine... Bonhoeffer sounds like a top bloke. I might have to read Life Together at some point.
September 29, 2022
I love this series. Great book that unpacks Bonhoeffer’s teachings and gives practical application to the reader.
November 29, 2023
Some good points by Nichols. But really just made me want to read the biography by Eric Metaxas.
March 30, 2024
Awesome.
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