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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
Helpful and thought-provoking, but should be taken with a large grain of salt. While I agreed with Bonhoeffer on many issues, particularly in his rebuttal of antinomian strands in the church, he seemed to misread different Scripture passages as being more radical than intended and overall elevated the radicalness of the Church in a way that I thought was unhelpful. Yes, a walk in Christ is to-some-extent radical, but we're called to actually live in the world as well. While Bonhoeffer's zeal is inspiring, it often takes him to provocative positions, and as much as Bonhoeffer may claim it's all Scripture, his arguments can be tenuous at points.
This book was thought-provoking enough that I would recommend it, as Bonhoeffer raises questions that we ought to have answers too. But there's a lot of sifting you'll need to do in certain parts of this book to get to good answers.
Rating: 3 Stars (Fairly Good).
This book was thought-provoking enough that I would recommend it, as Bonhoeffer raises questions that we ought to have answers too. But there's a lot of sifting you'll need to do in certain parts of this book to get to good answers.
Rating: 3 Stars (Fairly Good).
challenging
inspiring
slow-paced
To read Bonhoeffer is to be punched in the spiritual gut. He will never get away with letting you say, "Oh, of course, I know OTHER people like that!" He will give you a spiritual reality check by knocking you down with the law and then lifting your chin to gaze at grace (what a Lutheran!).
This is that book, the one where he outlines cheap vs. costly grace, where he challenges you to actually follow Christ. I don't know how much else I can say about it. Do you want to know how to be a disciple of Christ? Well, first, read your Bible. But read Bonhoeffer as well to slap some sense into you and remind you that obedience is real and expected.
(On this round, I was, unfortunately, only able to read the first part. I do not have time to finish it yet, but I hope one day to read the rest of his words on the Sermon on the Mount and the Church. I'm sure they will be just as convicting and encouraging.)
This is that book, the one where he outlines cheap vs. costly grace, where he challenges you to actually follow Christ. I don't know how much else I can say about it. Do you want to know how to be a disciple of Christ? Well, first, read your Bible. But read Bonhoeffer as well to slap some sense into you and remind you that obedience is real and expected.
(On this round, I was, unfortunately, only able to read the first part. I do not have time to finish it yet, but I hope one day to read the rest of his words on the Sermon on the Mount and the Church. I'm sure they will be just as convicting and encouraging.)
One of the best books I've ever read. There are few Lutheran views that I don't necessarily agree with, but I love learning new perspective and convictions. Most of Bonhoeffer's convictions match my own and the story of his life is incredible and - put into context with his work - mind blowing.
I recommend this to every believer.
I recommend this to every believer.
This book explores the meaning of being a disciple of Christ and what it truly means to follow Jesus. This is a must read for all Christians and is a book that has changed my life.
"It will always be true that the wisest course for the disciple is always to abide solely by the Word of God in all simplicity" (page 215)
Bonhoeffer begins this book with an in depth discussion of grace and what it truly means, then applies it to true discipleship. His biblical study flows through Matthew 5-7, which great detail provided on each section within these chapters. The last section deals with preliminary questions surrounding Christianity, such as baptism and what it means to live in the image of Christ. While this book changes the framework for real discipleship, I believe would be best understood with a knowledge of at least the gospels. I appreciated the footnotes included to provide Scriptural references to support the claims made by Bonhoeffer, as well as the scripture referenced/quoted throughout the text.
"It is not enough to teach the law of Christ, it must be done, otherwise it is no better than the old law"(page 125)
I read a good amount of Christian non-fiction, but it is rare to find an author who truly and wholeheartedly lives by their writing. My edition of this book included a short biography of his journey from boyhood to the decision to join a plot to assassinate Hitler, comparing this to David fighting Goliath. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is an amazing example of this, going as far to become a martyr for his faith during the Holocaust. I will forever be impressed with his decision to return to Germany to stand with his brothers and sisters in faith, rather than remain in America where he had obtained a visa to escape the war.
"It will always be true that the wisest course for the disciple is always to abide solely by the Word of God in all simplicity" (page 215)
Bonhoeffer begins this book with an in depth discussion of grace and what it truly means, then applies it to true discipleship. His biblical study flows through Matthew 5-7, which great detail provided on each section within these chapters. The last section deals with preliminary questions surrounding Christianity, such as baptism and what it means to live in the image of Christ. While this book changes the framework for real discipleship, I believe would be best understood with a knowledge of at least the gospels. I appreciated the footnotes included to provide Scriptural references to support the claims made by Bonhoeffer, as well as the scripture referenced/quoted throughout the text.
"It is not enough to teach the law of Christ, it must be done, otherwise it is no better than the old law"(page 125)
I read a good amount of Christian non-fiction, but it is rare to find an author who truly and wholeheartedly lives by their writing. My edition of this book included a short biography of his journey from boyhood to the decision to join a plot to assassinate Hitler, comparing this to David fighting Goliath. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is an amazing example of this, going as far to become a martyr for his faith during the Holocaust. I will forever be impressed with his decision to return to Germany to stand with his brothers and sisters in faith, rather than remain in America where he had obtained a visa to escape the war.
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
reflective
slow-paced
I thought this book had a wealth of powerful information and wisdom. I truly did learn a great deal & it made me look at christianity in a whole new light. However, this book was super difficult for me to finish. It was extremely wordy and repetitive. I just felt as though the book could have been 1/2 as long & got the point across faster & more effectively. Toward the middle of the book, I was dying to get it over with, even though I was enjoying the message of the content.
“Grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: ‘My yoke is easy and my burden is light.’”
Convicting, unapologetic, and thorough.
Convicting, unapologetic, and thorough.
An excellent examination of what it means to follow Christ. A very relevant book still today that I would recommend to any believer who is looking to wrestle through Jesus' calling to "follow me".
There is some profound stuff in her about what it means to be a disciple and what it means to be the church. Particular sections like, I. GRACE AND DISCIPLESHIP, II.7,8,9 and all chapters under, "Of the Hidden Character of the Christian Life" I found especially relevant. I'd give those 5+ stars easily, while other sections or chapters ranged from 2-4 stars, depending.
I also found myself stumbling over the sexist language more and more as I continued reading this, so I recommend any new reader of Bonhoeffer to seek out the newest editions, which do a better job of using inclusive language in the translation (or so I hear).
I also found myself stumbling over the sexist language more and more as I continued reading this, so I recommend any new reader of Bonhoeffer to seek out the newest editions, which do a better job of using inclusive language in the translation (or so I hear).