Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer ISBN: 0-684-81500-1 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.61 (41 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Grace is Not Cheap!
Comment: If I tell you to be "Doers of the Word, not Hearers only, deceiving yourselves." And I don't DO it myself does it make my statement any less true? It certainly makes me a hypocrite, but it in no why whatsoever diminishes the TRUTH of the Statement. Truth is still truth. Let God be TRUE and every man a lair! Bonhoeffer realized that Believing and Obeying were synonymous and it rocked the foundations of his world. He 'counted' the cost of discipleship and found Grace a Costly Truth. Cheap Grace, as he called it, is grace bestowed on ourselves, preaching forgiveness without requiring repentance, eliminating self denial and the death of self life. Cheap Grace is grace without Discipleship. This book will drive home the important Truth that GRACE is NOT LISENCE to sin. It is the Power of God to Transform a sinful soul into Newness of Life. To continue a habitual practice of sin after coming to Christ would be an 'Insult', to the Spirit of Grace! And it would contradict the very essence of scriptural truth. When the Scripture says Believe and be saved, it is challenging you to OBEY and FOLLOW! This Bonhoeffer clearly spells out in his extensive study of Discipleship. Regardless how his own life turned out, the Truth still stands. Only Total Obedience to Christ is true soul saving Faith, and only the New Birth from above can deliver us from the corrupting influence of sin and make us 'partakers' of the Divine nature. "Since you OBEYED from your heart that form of doctrine TO which you were delivered and having been set FREE from sin you become slaves to righteousness." That's the Grace of Scripture. True COSTLY Grace, not the cheap and phony message emanating from pulpits across America today. [email protected]
Rating: 5
Summary: An excellent book on what it means to follow Christ
Comment: I recently took a seminary class that dealt with traditions in Christian devotion, and one of the assignments was to pick a classic Christian book and do a report on it. I chose "Cost of Discipleship" because I had wanted to read it for some time. Much has been said about the book's power, and I desired to experience that for myself. After finishing it, I can see why "Cost of Discipleship" has challenged so many in their walk with Christ.
The book's major theme centers on what it really means to be a disciple of Christ. This is summed up by Bonhoeffer's statement that Christ calls us to "come and die." Christ wants all of us - nothing is to be held back. One is either a disciple of Christ, or they are not. There is no middle ground. The true disciple is dying to his or her life as a whole, and their old life is being replaced with the life of Christ.
"Cost of Discipleship" is soaked in Scripture, and that is one of its main strengths. This is not surprising, since reading the Bible actually contributed to Bonhoeffer's personal conversion and commitment to Christ. Bonhoeffer constantly refers to Biblical passages to make his points, and he does not resort to storytelling or even personal anecdotes. One can sense his deep love for the Bible and for Christ throughout the book. Another strength is Bonhoeffer's conveyance of how imperative commitment to Christ really is. Bonhoeffer was an early foe of Adolph Hitler, and this book was published while he was being persecuted by the Nazis. Thererfore, he wrote as one who has stood for Christ in tough times, and he knew that Christ is one's only hope. Indeed, he eventually gave his life for his faith, and by all Christian and secular accounts glorified God to the very end. Finally, even though "Cost of Discipleship" was published in 1937, every page in this book counters the "easy believism" and license that tempt and seduce many Christians today. Bonhoeffer attacks "cheap grace" and demands a steadfast, deep loyalty to Christ. He illustrates the power and holiness of God in a way that indicates the necessity of a healthy, reverent fear towards God.
However, I did have a couple of minor issues with the book. It is somewhat densely written, and therefore may be daunting to the average layreader. Bonhoeffer was a highly educated theologian, and it shows in his writing style. In addition, Bonhoeffer tends to neglect grace in favor of emphasizing absolute holiness and commitment. His moralistic leanings have the danger of encouraging legalism and asceticism if a reader is inclined toward those pitfalls. I'm sure this was not his intent, since it was Bonhoeffer's genuine love for Christ that motivated his passion and perseverance. But this may be a situation where a person takes for granted a truth they have worked through and internalized, and therefore they fail to communicate it to others because it is so integral to them. I think Bonhoeffer loved God so deeply, with all his being, that he never thought to specifically describe loving God as the basis for the principles in this book. However, it is also possible that the times he lived in prevented a more introspective writing style. Bonhoeffer was under persecution by a political regime that he knew to be the epitome of evil. Therefore, he knew what was at stake, and so focused on what needed to be heard about the cost of Christian discipleship, with the assumption (or at least hope) that the reader already had an abiding love for Christ.
Overall, "Cost of Discipleship" challenged me in a number of ways. First, Bonhoeffer's life and death were inspiring - he lived what he wrote, and I consider him to be an example of faith in action that every Christian should emulate. I pray that I would face persecution with his courage and perseverance. Second, his linking of sanctification with being part of the Body of Christ encourages me to avoid being a "lone wolf" Christian. It's important for my spiritual health to become part of a church so that I can minister to others and be ministered to as well. Third, his love for Scripture reminds me to never forsake reading the Bible, and also not to rely exclusively on the writings of others, or their interpretations of Scripture. Fourth, his focus on a relationship with Christ prods me to examine my own relationship with Him, and to ensure that I don't neglect it. Finally, his statement that Christ bids us to "come and die" leads me to evaluate the level of my own commitment as a Christian, especially in light of current events.
"The Cost of Discipleship" was difficult to read. This was in part due to its literary density, but also because of its powerful message about the true cost of being a disciple of Christ. Bonhoeffer's words are relevant, convicting, and challenging to anyone who claims to be a Christian. Highly recommended.
Rating: 5
Summary: You Won't Go Wrong With Bonhoeffer
Comment: WWII gave us a new definition of evil, but it also gave us some bright spots. I've always heard that light shines brightest in the darkness. If you have not read this book . . . GET IT! This is the book that made Bonhoeffer my favorite theologian.
 |
Title: Letter and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer ISBN: 0684838273 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 01 July, 1997 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
 |
Title: Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer ISBN: 0060608528 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 25 October, 1978 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
 |
Title: Ethics by Dietrich Bonhoeffer ISBN: 068481501X Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 1995 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
 |
Title: Christ the Center by Dietrich Bonhoeffer ISBN: 0060608110 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 25 October, 1978 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
 |
Title: Meditations on the Cross by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Manfred Weber, Douglas W. Stott ISBN: 0664257550 Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press Pub. Date: March, 1998 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
