Bonhoeffer Speaks Today: Following Jesus at all Costs

by Mark Devine

Imprisoned and eventually executed for his opposition to Hitler's regime, the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer continues to fascinate and inspire Christians across the world. His life epitomizes authenticity, commitment, and sacrifice. Devine writes, “When a man willingly exposes himself to suffering and death for his faith and for others, we take notice and with good reason. While martyrdom neither proves nor produces a spiritual giant, the possibility does arise, and this piques a distinctive longing common to followers of Jesus Christ.”This book is published to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's birth in 1906. It allows Bonhoeffer to speak to today's believer in the following knowing and doing the will of God, the importance and role of the Church, the call to witness, and the role of suffering and the path to hope.

Genres: Biography, Christianity, Theology, Lifestyle

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book fills a very nebulous space. It's not a biography but its not a systematic analysis of Bonhoeffer's thought either. I think the title is apt for the year this book was published - "Bonhoeffer Speak Today" if today is 2005. Some of the critiques seem dated (a section on Sadam Hussein and hte Iraq War) and some are still just as timely. In the book, Dr. Devine uses Bonhoeffer to critique and encourage the evangelical church in America. However, these critiques comes at seemingly strange times. In the midst of Bonhoeffer's life and thought in a particular situation, Devine turns the flashlight toward evangelicals to show how individualized, self-help middle-class evangelical culture wasn't was the Bible nor Bonhoeffer had in mind.

I think this book is valuable to show how to read theology with one eye toward it as an object in history and with one eye toward the church and society in the present. This is best done in local church settings rather than in books, but books are still effective means of communicating this. What would be more interesting I think is if Devine just wrote a book critiquing evangelicalism and then used Barth, Bonhoeffer, and a host of other theologians plus Scripture to develop a more positive vision for the Christian life and for the church in the world today.

This book is just ok. I had to read it for class and I would have rather read Bonhoeffer instead.

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

an easy read but lots of good biographical material and good modern-day applications to think through

[Terence Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similarly, a man can have rock-solid conviction on an interpretation, that his teaching is safe before the throne of God. All the talk is worth nothing when it breaks under great pressure. The story of Bonhoeffer is compelling because his life and teaching integrated so well, tested under unimaginable pressure.

Before I end, I want to share with you a passage that provoked much thought in me:

Many aspiring scholars pursuing the doctorate chafed at the ministry requirement then prevailing at Berlin and found ways to check off the ministry box as quickly and painlessly as possible. Not Bonhoeffer. Once his catechetical students outgrew the Sunday class, Bonhoeffer started a Thursday reading and discussion group in order to maintain his ministry among them. Papers on religious, historical, economic, and political subjects were presented by Bonhoeffer. They enjoyed field trips together, spending hours together during which these youth, many from Jewish families including several atheists, would speak their minds and challenge their teacher who patiently answered their questions. Many of these students continued to correspond with Bonhoeffer across the years. Nearly all of these students would die in Hitler’s war or in the concentration camps, as would their kind teacher.

How do you respond to that? Profound sadness, yes. But is it a tragedy? Or is it a triumph? Is this the outcome that we want our Sunday School teachers to aim for? Can you show me your lesson plan? Does it prepare our kids to die for Christ? If Bonhoeffer’s teaching makes Christ’s commands clear and compelling, do we want more of it? We are sad at the deaths of so few, but imagine if all of Germany at that time were as diligent in their Bible Study, and as committed to only Jesus is Lord. Hitler might never have been Hitler.

The world’s most famous spy would be James Bond. In a just world, Dietrich Bonhoeffer would be more famous than James Bond. Bond is make believe, Bonhoeffer is real. Bond got on machine gun cars against campy, creepy, sometimes even cool villains. Bonhoeffer got on radio and called Hitler a Verfuhrer, a misleader. Bond lives, dies, and comes back on screen. Bonhoeffer lives, dies and his reward for obedience is life forever more. So why does the world know and care about Bond when instead of listening to Dietrich Bonhoeffer? What more must a man do before the world will listen?

Full 2,200 word review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...

[Nicholas Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An evangelical wanting to read and understand Bonhoeffer, should read this book first. It deals with many of the potential pitfalls some fall in as they try to understand the complex man Bonhoeffer was.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and inspiring. It helps to have a decent background understand of Bonhoeffer and his writings.

[THOMAS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall good book. Good information but takes a bit of thought.

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This seemed to start out more or less as I'd anticipated--a history of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Then it took a turn to the author's views on divine guidance versus strictly adhering to Biblical truth in light of Bonhoeffer's beliefs. And, the author, to my thinking, was a bit heavy handed in his efforts to convince the reader that there is no need to wait for God to speak to His people today. I find this ironic since the author's argument stems from strict adherence to scripture--the same scripture that speaks specifically to listening, hearing from, waiting for and obedience to God's will. After all, what is the Holy Spirit if not the member of the Trinity that speaks to our conscious, leading and guiding--to speak nothing of the call to prayer.
I began the book in an effort to learn more about Dietrich Bonhoeffer but feel this attempt fell short. Maybe the author's verbiage is something I feel offended by as our views don't match. Or possibly, had I been able to finish the book, I would have found more to appreciate. At any rate, I truly think it more likely that I'm annoyed at the off-taskedness of this book.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently used this book for a class I taught on Bonhoeffer for our church. I found it quite helpful because it is more than a biography of him but an interpretation and explantion of his life and ideas. Divine presents good insights in to DB's views on christian community, monasticism, grace, and is especailly good on making Bonhoeffer relavant for today. An easy and informative read. The authors also shares a fair amount of him own thinking and experience on issues as a Southern Baptist Pastor.

[Kellye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking, though a very academic read. This doesn't read like a story of Bonhoeffer's life, but it was challenging to me personally as the author examined what Bonhoeffer's life as a theologian and political/social activist has to say to people of faith today. Definitely worth the time it takes to read.

[Clansmitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting because I knew little about Bonhoeffer before reading this but I decided I'd rather read a biography about him rather than someone's opinion about what he would have to say to today's church.