A review by cspeet
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

4.0

This book is a classic, and it was quite good, but I was left wanting more. I had imagined a very cohesive message, and I didn't find it. Nonetheless, I am appreciative of some of the insights that this book gave me, particularly around how ALL relationships are mediated through Christ, as well as a new perspective on the nature of sin. I have long believed that the core of the idea of sin was the idea that we can be the God of our own universe (essentially that we can do whatever we want). Bonhoeffer made me look at this in a new light by highlighting the observation that the we were made to be like God, after all. The problem of sin arises from the belief that we can be like God due to our own efforts rather than as a result of God's love, mercy, and creativity, as if we somehow deserve credit for what we are. It's a different spin and definitely worth some thought. Overall, the book is worth the read, and I can see how it will be worth revisiting again and again in the future.