Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom

by Paul McCusker, Focus on the Family (Produced by)

Value priced! Peabody Award winner! With faith comes a price. What are you willing to pay? That's the question explored in "Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom." Chronicling the life of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this provocative Peabody award-winning dramatization shares the story of one man's battle against the evils of Nazism, a decadent culture, and compromising church—something that's not so foreign to society today. Challenging and compelling, it's entertainment with a message!

Genres: History, Biography, Audiobook, Christian, Religion, World War II, Nonfiction

3 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Paul McCusker is a writer of many different kinds of things. You may know him from Adventures In Odyssey and Focus On The Family Radio Theatre. Or the Father Gilbert Mysteries. Or the Augustine Institute audio dramas Brother Francis: The Barefoot Saint of Assisi and The Trials of Saint Patrick. Or plays like The First Church of Pete's Garage and Catacombs. Or C.S. Lewis projects like The Chronicles of Narnia audio dramas or The Annotated Screwtape Letters. Or the film Beyond The Mask. Or lots of other dramas, novels, scripts and lyrics. He simply can't make up his mind what he likes to write.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audio. It was very powerful. A true story that makes you think about your views on the situation. Allegiance to country or God and the cost of your life. It brought to light the importance of your relationship with Jesus vs relationship with the church. Should the church and government be separate? My kids love this and so did I. I didn't realize that you would hear the sounds of a man hanging on this audio. In light of that I would recommend you know what your kids can handle before listening to it. It brought up great discussions with my kiddos and they were fine...5/5/15

Listened to this audio again for cc2 wk17...krb 3/29/17

[Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very powerful story. Throughout the book, we follow Bonhoeffer as he discovers who he is and struggles with what he stands for. Is he a German or a Christian first? When his two alliances contradict each other as Hitler takes power, he chooses to fight as a Christian. His character, integrity and intellect are very inspiring.

[Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Good accents!

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great radio dramatization of DB's path to martyrdom.

[Patrick S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not meant to be an all inclusive study on Dietrich Bonhoeffer but it hits the high points. If the purpose of this book was to wet my appetite to get me to study about Bonhoeffer more and fill in the details, then it succeeded. The book does tend to focus more on the theological/Christian aspect of Bonhoeffer's life more which is not a negative against the book. The author does a good job of making you care for Bonhoeffer and at times muddle around in your own mind if the choices he made were good or moral or in line with Scripture. I can't wait to pick up a book like "Bonhoeffer - Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" by Eric Metaxas. My one gripe with the book is that it tells you the end of the book at the beginning. I HATE with any media does that. Look, I'm already reading/listening/watching your media...don't tell me the ending! Spoilers, people! The book shows off Bonhoeffer's frustrations, humor, and struggles. I wish they would have focused a little bit more on his conversion to Christianity in America and a bit deeper look at his theology. However, I'm off to read more on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Final Grade - A-

[Pat DiGeorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read that this audio tape was about Bonfoeffer, the Lutheran pastor who defied the Nazis I grabbed it. Different than other books I've listened to, it is much more than a reading … it is Radio Theatre by Focus on the Family. There were many different actors, sound effects, music. I was drawn in immediately. The three hour drama was given a 1998 Peabody award for broadcast excellence.

To the end Bonhoeffer struggled with the conflict between loyalty to the country he loved and his faith as a Christian. It was just this faith that gave him the strength to do what he believed was best for his beloved Germany.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful. Pastor Bonhoeffer, as well as all the individuals under and affected by Hitler's regime, went through terrifying times. The audio CD provided a great timeline as to how Hitler worked his way to power. The amazing part are the parallels from the days of Hitler and what is going on in our government today. The changes are slow, but extremely similar - and we are allowing them to happen.

A must read by ALL!

[Jaguar · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom” is a Focus on the Family’s Radio Theater audio dramatization of the original book. Each character is played by a different person, and everyone has the accents and all. It was a very good read and I learned a lot about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a man of God, and was willing to give his life to Christ…and in the end, he did. A recommended, worth-while read for everyone.

2015-Summer-Reading-Review

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very brief introduction into the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I really enjoyed it, but it was very short. On the plus side, it makes me want to delve more into his full biography and some of his writings and letters.

[Catrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is very sad, but eye opening.
It explains a lot about what went on while Hitler was in control.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't remember when I listened to this. Maybe in 2009?

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stayed up until 3 am to finish it. Really wonderful story I never knew before. It makes me want to read his books!

Wonderful Radio Theater team, too!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing man who was a true hero.