Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life is represented by a number of quotations, some great photos and a thoughtful narrative that wraps it all into a compelling story. In particular the final section on the days leading up to the theologian's execution is deeply moving. It is a crime this book is out of print.

This book is a great place to start if you are new to Bonhoeffer's work. It is equally useful for those who have read a lot of Bonhoeffer since it includes selections from key but less well known or less accessible works like his talk at the Fano "Life and Work" conference on the importance of addressing international issues, or his 1939 letter to the Finkenwald brethren. Moreover, de Gruchy's selection of pages or even paragraphs of more difficult texts are a model for such anthologies. The very useful 40-page introduction and editor's notes before each selection say just enough to be helpful while they reveal de Gruchy's mastery of his subject. They also reflect the fact that like Bonhoeffer, de Gruchy was active for years in political struggle within a repressive regime -- in his case, South Africa. Aside from brief biographies by Bethge or Robertson that quote widely from Bonhoeffer, I don't know of a better overview to one of the most useful thinkers of the last century for our own, precarious, ...

Beautiful light and intellecutal clarity regarding the inner world of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the friendship between him and Eberhard Bethge. Tremendous challenge to 20th century christians and non christians who ponder politics and the human heart.

This is, in my opinion, a faultless biography of one of the world's most controversial, and relevant theologians. The only rival to Kuhn's work is Eberhard Bethge's (1970-English) "Dietrich Bonhoeffer" (and even then, only because it is more exhaustive/detailed) but here, William Kuhns has provided readers with a more navigable journey of the life that was Bonhoeffer's, from Breslau birth to Flossenburg martyrdom.
No matter if you've read only two or three, (or all) of Bonhoeffer's books, this one is the perfect companion/commentary.
It is unique in that it is the first study by a Catholic of Bonhoeffer's daring concepts, and as such, it draws its understanding largely from Bonhoeffer's ecclesiology. There is an excellent exploration of B.'s seemingly paradoxical ideas concerning the non-religious interpretation of biblical concepts: ie., "religionless Christianity;" "holy worldliness;" "the powerlessness of God in the world;" "Christian atheism" etc. Bonhoeffer believed firmly in the proclamation of a renewed language drawn from the secular world... that "the time when men could be told everything by means of words, whether theological or simply pious, is over."
How much MORE true this is for our present times!
Bonhoeffer's ideas were so far ahead of their time that the Church (catholic, in the universal sense) is still trying to understand and appropriate them. For Bonhoeffer, there were only two important questions: "What is Christianity?" and "What is Christ for us today?"
And Kuhn's book is a brilliant, well-written look at how Bonhoeffer approached these questions with not only his intellect, but with his life's blood.
It is the harrowing story of how this man who opposed Hitler at the outset eventually fell victim to his conviction that there is no possibility of compromise between Christianity as it should be practiced and the evils of Nazism. Read it.

Similar to other Bonhoeffer works, the content of this book is taken from several works. The artwork and layout of the book are magnificent and compliment the text beautifully. Even though he was a great theologian, Bonhoeffer was very "practical" and realistic; he understands the human heart and the human condition. This small volume has great depth and a host of valuable insights. I have given it to people who are very sick, those who are dying, and those who simply need comfort. It shows that the mystery of Easter is the mystery of life. It's too bad, however, that it's so expensive. Were it half the usual price, I would buy more to pass out to everyone. Notwithstanding, a wonderful book.

This small, beautifully illustrated book challenges you to look at the way you live, to question your very values. It leads you through the mystery of Advent (the time before the birth of Jesus), relating it to everyday life. The short prose-poems provide a basis for meditation for those of many faiths.

While much has been said of this thoroughly German theologian I find that much praise would still be too little. This book covers much of Bonhoeffer's earlier works and essay's as well as his correspondences with many notable theologians of the time (i.e. Barth). This book gives a solid understanding of Bonhoeffer's theology and I feel is marked for excellence.

I discovered Bonhoeffer after a short remark by my pastor and suddenly a new world was opened to me.

It was great. I loved his style and this edition with all of the notes and notes on the notes and notes on the editions etc.

The book discusses the importance of the church community and how it is essential for christians and as the author put, "A christian who stays away from the assembly is a contradiction in terms."

I chose to read this book first because i had wanted to read "The Cost of Discipleship" but i wanted to go in order as this handsome series publishes them. I am halfway through Act and Being and hope soon that i can start the book that i set out to read in the first place. However, i know i can say now that i am not disapointed in the journey.

I first became aquainted with Bonhoeffer's work through his poetry, and Voices in the Night is an excellent example of why I love his writing. The translations do not sound as if they were forced, they sound like true poetry. The translator also includes comments about both the context of the poem and notes on the translation where necessary. Bonhoeffer asks some very deep questions but also displays a deep faith which carried him through his trials. His poems address emotions and questions which all of us can relate to, questions as basic as "Who am I?" and as complicated as "Why do these things happen?". Although all the poems are excellent, the poem that the title of this collection is taken from is especially noteworthy. Bonhoeffer moves from sorrow and emptiness, the hopelessness of life in a Nazi prison camp, to a call for his fellow prisoners and to anyone who will listen to be strong, to stand for freedom. His testimony through this poem shows how even in the most desperate situation, faith in God can give hope.

This is one of my five all-time favorite books. If you saw my copy, you would know through the pen and highlighter marks that I took copious notes as I read. And I'm not one who just highlights everything. Bonhoeffer states biblical truth in a straightforward manner. Just some of my favorite quotes:

* "Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession...grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate." * "Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship" * "The life of discipleship can only be maintained so long as nothing is allowed to come between Christ and ourselves--neither the law, nor personal piety, nor even the world."

Bonhoeffer was willing to practice what he preached. He had opportunities to escape from the prison where they kept him (for his part in an assasination plot of Hitler), but he stayed and was an example to everyone, even the guards. Himmler had him killed soon before the war ended. Too bad. It would have been nice to have had Bonhoeffer in the latter half of the 20th century. Whether or not I agree with every doctrinal idea he had, though, this is a book that has been a challenge in my own life, and it's one that I ought to reread more often.

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.

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. Inquires....tcompute@neo.rr.com