The Cost of Discipleship

The Cost of Discipleship compels the reader to face himself and God in any situation. Bonhoeffer speaks of "Cheap Grace": preaching forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession. "Cheap Grace" is grace without discipleship. "Costly Grace" is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. "It's costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."

One of the most important theologians of the twentieth century illuminates the relationship between ourselves and the teachings of Jesus

What can the call to discipleship, the adherence to the word of Jesus, mean today to the businessman, the soldier, the laborer, or the aristocrat? What did Jesus mean to say to us? What is his will for us today? Drawing on the Sermon on the Mount, Dietrich Bonhoeffer answers these timeless questions by providing a seminal reading of the dichotomy between "cheap grace" and "costly grace." "Cheap grace," Bonhoeffer wrote, "is the grace we bestow on ourselves...grace without discipleship....Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the girl which must be asked for, the door at which a man must know....It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."

The Cost of Discipleship is a compelling statement of the demands of sacrifice and ethical consistency from a man whose life and thought were exemplary articulations of a new type of leadership inspired by the Gospel, and imbued with the spirit of Christian humanism and a creative sense of civic duty.

Life

Among the Flossenberg martyrs was a remarkable young Lutheran pastor named Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who had joined the underground convinced that it was his duty as a Christian to work for Hitler's defeat. Bonhoeffer was only thirty-nine when he died, but he had already made a monumental contribution to Christian thought, which today has profound and growing significance for both theologian and layman. Bonhoeffer's books are gaining an astonishing popularity in the secutar world....He is admired by people who have read his best-known books, The Cost of Discipleship and Letters and Papers from Prison, as the example of what a modem Christian must be.

Times Literary Supplement (London)

A very moving book, lived as well as written.

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Chris Knoeferl (Harlem, GA), October 21, 2009

Still reading it. but so far it's a great book. Highly recommend it and this site to friends and family.

Reviewed by Joel (Los Angeles), August 27, 2009

Christian, read this book! Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s, The Cost of Discipleship, is an argument and plea to the believer to heed to the call of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Bonhoeffer sets his argument up like a seasoned theologian, systematic and clear. If I had to re-title this book I would call it, Christian, Grace is not cheap, so stop living as though it is! I, now, consider myself a reformed believer, and as a good reformist we speak of Grace often. We even speak of the cost of God’s Grace! But truly, rarely, do I see it lived out in a believer’s life. That’s what this book is about. Beg, Borrow, of Buy, but read this Plea.

Reviewed by Cassandra Malave (Hobart, IN), May 15, 2009

While we go in to our physician for our annual check-up, this book is one the Lord has me read every decade or so for my 'spiritual' check-up as one of His disciples. The Lord Jesus always corrects us in His love, and there is nothing I like better than to be corrected, since I want to THRILL Him when I see Him face to face! I want to be as much like Jesus as I can be, and this book is a great start on that road.

Reviewed by Steve Ownby (Townsend, TN), February 12, 2009

One of the clearest and precise explanation on what it means to be a disciple. Bonhoeffer shows the Christian how to become a true follower of Christ. A must read for serious followers.

Reviewed by Allan Douglass (Stockbridge, GA), May 16, 2008

This is my 3rd copy after wearing out the first two ... We are so prone to cheap grace; stand guilty before an awesome God and the penalty has been paid by the precious blood of Jesus. This book has served as a constant reminder to me to live in accordance with His unbelievable love ... yes, to death ... that I might have life. But that life is only there in Him, It indeed costs everything ... even life itself which becomes in Him alone. The 'description' only scratches the surface of the value of this wonderful work!

Reviewed by Bob (Port Saint Lucie, FL), August 08, 2004

Very powerful! If you are ready for your idea of discipleship to be challenged, then this book is for you. You WILL be humbled!

Reviewed by Todd (Pensacola, FL), December 30, 2002

I guess the thing that surprised me most about this book was its relevancy to today's spiritual issues. Bonhoeffer is writing in the context of European Church History that is very similar to where we are in America now. We have lost touch with the price paid by Christ and the debt we can never repay. Bonhoeffer is upfront, no non-sense, in your face, about these issues. The scary reality is the state of the European Church and where we are heading if we don't take heed.

Reviewed by Tom (South Park, PA), May 12, 2001

I wanted to be shaken out of my complacency. I knew Christianity had to be more. I wanted to be challenged. This book will challenge everyone to see if you really are dedicated to Christ. Total surrender is as close as I can summarize this writing & that phrase still doesn't do it justice.

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