The Cost of Discipleship

The Cost of Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works #4)

4.33 of 5 stars 4.33  ·  rating details  ·  10,704 ratings  ·  423 reviews
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 t...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published September 1st 1995 by Touchstone (first published 1937)
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Dwight Davis
I went into Discipleship thinking that I would really hate it. I love the early academic theology of Bonhoeffer, and I'm really interested in Bonhoeffer studies, but I figured that a book couldn't be that interesting and ground breaking if so many evangelicals love it (and especially not if Rick Warren wrote a book about it). I was so wrong.

Bonhoeffer puts forth a lot of very radical ideas here. The idea of the Church being the physical manifestation of Christ, and therefore vicariously represen...more
booklady
Listened to the audio version of this book and found it very compelling. It challenged me in ways I didn't know I needed challenging, which is why it earns 5 stars from me. As a lifelong cultural Catholic and for the last twenty years (or so) actively striving-to-be-Christlike Catholic, I need books which help me to look at my faith from a fresh perspective.

Bonhoeffer's eclectic approach to the Gospels reminds me very much of his German compatriot and one of my other favorite authors, Pope Bened...more
Sandy Ferguson
Where does one begin?
This is a book that will profoundly change your understanding about what it means to be a person of faith in the world. Bonhoeffer challenges us to look beyond the values of this world, and asks us are we willing to embrace the true cost of discipleship? His analysis of cheap grace, and its corrupting influence reminds us that there are times that we have to challenge the powers of this world, that there are times when to be a good Christian means we can't always be a good c...more
Paul Mullen
Having read Eric Mataxus's brilliant biography of Bonhoeffer... 5 stars... skip this review... go read the biography... I had to read more of what Bonhoeffer wrote. It is tough reading. Good food, but vegetables when my brain occasionally wanted chocolate!

The book is divided into 5 sections:

1) Grace and discipleship
2) The Sermon on the Mount
3) The messengers
4) The Church of Jesus Christ and the life of discipleship


The book is worth your time if you're interested in deepening in discipleship. Se...more
Joy
My Tuesday Bible study has been discussing this book over the past several months. We enjoyed the book and our time together so much that we didn't even take a summer break. Several of us read the Eric Metaxis book on Bonhoeffer's life, so that was helpful in putting Bonhoeffer's thoughts into the context of the life he was living in Nazi Germany. It was encouraging to see that there were believers who discerned early the evil of Hitler. The Bonhoeffer family was very prominent, yet not Christia...more
Natalie Wickham
Ever since reading the remarkable Bonhoeffer biography by Eric Metaxas last year, I’ve been eager to read more of Bonhoeffer’s own writings. Discipleship is of particular interest to me, so I decided to start with this book. As was alluded to in the biography, the book deals not primarily with the concept of discipleship in regards to discipling others, but primarily with the individual’s role and responsibilities as a disciple of Christ. I copied down many excerpts from various chapters, but es...more
Jonathan Woodward
Within the first few pages of the first chapter, I fell in love with this book. The first chapter, entitled “Costly Grace,” caught me hook, line, and sinker. This is not to say, however, that Bonhoeffer keeps me fastened to his words. Actually, quite the opposite happens. I find that his thoughts become repetitive, and unnecessarily provocative. Themes are repeated over and over. This is not to say that The Cost of Discipleship does not offer a good read, rather it was unnecessarily repetitive i...more
Eli Mostrales
In this book, Bonhoeffer coined the term cheap grace. Justification by grace alone is arrived at as the answer to a sum, not as the initial data in man's spiritual quest; here is a relevant quotation from the book:

At the end of a life spent in the pursuit of knowledge Faust has to confess:

"I now do see that we can nothing know."

That is the answer to a sum, it is the outcome of a long experience. But as Kierkegaard observed, it is quite a different thing when a freshman comes up to the university...more
Emily Woodham
I loved this book! Some passages were more difficult than others, but I found it to be time well spent to think through what Bonhoeffer had to say.

I disagree with some of Bonhoeffer's pacifist views. He mentioned that he differs from the Reformers on those points, and I think I'd side more with them. Considering that he was a part of the plot to assassinate Hitler, I'd be interested to know how he reconciled the plot with what he proposes in The Cost. I am reading his biography by Metaxas, and...more
Will Waller
The cost of discipleship was an important one for me-turned a new corner with this one. Here are some of my notes from it:

The seemingly dischotomous problem of the clals to faith through grace with the call to obedience as well.
* they are not divorced but are united--the story of Peter and the boat.
* he must be called to obey -- they faith in Jesus exists and he obeys the call to it.
* to the sinner who struggles with faith he must obey Jesus' way then he will find faith.

Story of the young ric...more
John Martindale
This is an important book, addressing an unintended result of the reformation, which was a wide spread attitude that "I can do whatever I want and live my own life, because I'm covered by his grace." This what he calls "cheap grace". Bonhoeffer is insistent that without active obedience there is no faith and without faith there is no obedience, the two are intertwined. That grace cost Jesus and it cost us everything, but the exchanged is good (our worthless life for His eternal life) There were...more
Kurt
I just don't see the appeal of this book. In the opening pages, Bonhoeffer introduces readers to the idea that grace is free but not cheap, and following Jesus is an all-consuming choice that involves a Christian's entire life. Which is important, and true, and something that should be established early. From there, though, Bonhoeffer writes for chapter after chapter in a style that at times is academic to a point of incomprehensibility and at times simple enough that his exegetical efforts amou...more
Lori-ann
Bonhoeffer’s distinction between cheap and costly grace is well worth reading. Although it is true that grace is something given, it is equally true that grace accepted carelessly can be cheapened. What comes to mind for me in regards to this distinction is the unfortunate death of the church in our present. There are many who would argue that they can find grace on their own or in nature, but it seems to me that a lack of Christian community deeply hinders a person’s ability to understand disci...more
Thomas Kinsfather
A few diamonds scattered among a lot of gravel. Bonhoeffer offers excellent thoughts on humility, discipleship, and serving Jesus.His life is beyond admirable and his devotion to Christ is unquestionable. But the insights in this book could have been condensed down into 80 pages or so. Much of the book wanders from place to place like a tourist without a guide, only loosely commenting on the Scriptures he is examining. He makes odd statements, like the Sermon on the Mount doesn't need to be inte...more
Jeanie
Bonhoeffer was only a few that understood that National Socialism was godless and in my opionion stripping men of dignity, liberty and freedom. I think this is a good read because the enemy of cheap grace is so rapid in our churches today. Bonhoeffer lived in a time where cheap grace could not be afforded and so do we. The book gives a clear understanding of grace thru discipleship. Bonhoeffer goes on to say that this cheap grace is what we give ourselves instead of being given by God thru Jesus...more
Estelle
Nov 22, 2008 Estelle is currently reading it
is hard for me, and so good.
Amy
Nov 10, 2009 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: ALL Christians
Recommended to Amy by: My Pastor
One of the best Christian books I've ever read. Tons of insight on what it should mean to be a modern Christian. I dog eared almost every single page with significant amount of underlining throughout. So obviously I can't include all my favorite quotes here, so I'll have to only pick a few.

"The future in modern society depends much more on the quiet heroism of the very few who are inspired by God"

"Every moment and every situation challenges us to action and to obedience. We have literally no tim...more
Tom Shemanski
This book is all about reminding Christians of the eternal cost that Jesus paid for His people, His being united with them and in turn the Christians' obligation to "carry His cross". It was written in reaction to what he calls "cheap grace", which is a distortion of protestant theology that uses God's grace as a license to sin. I felt that the first chapter that talks about cheap grace is a must read for Christians in general.

The bulk of the book however, is Bonhoeffer's commentary on the sermo...more
Erin
Powerful writing and powerful ideas. The only problems I had were that it began to feel like a chore to read after a while (but that's probably because I don't read a lot of nonfiction, let alone theology) and that Bonhoeffer's rhetoric bordered on discouraging. I don't know how much value this book would hold for people who aren't interested in Christianity, as every main idea is grounded on belief in Jesus Christ. Unlike, say, Mere Christianity, I think this is a Christian classic that isn't v...more
Brett
This book will mess you up, and you will be better for it - at least it should. Bonhoeffer combats what he coins "cheap grace" (i.e., grace with no demand, no cost, no cross). He demonstrates that the life of discipleship is the life of crucifixion. But this is not from some pussified metrosexual pastor, wearing his tight button-down, throwing around terms like "imitatio christi." No, this is from a man who did it, who faithfully followed and bore witness to Christ until the end when he was hung...more
Mike
I have spent most of my life attending what are generally called the mainline Protestant denominations in the US. I grew up in the United Methodist Church and I'm now a PCUSA Presbyterian. I have heard this book quoted or referenced In sermons and bible studies more times than I can count. But I had never actually read it myself so I decided to as part of a Lenten discipline of reading only books on religion during Lent.

Having now finished, I am surprised at its popularity among liberal Christi...more
Tim Chavel
What is the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ? Well that is what this book explains. Bonhoeffer makes nit plain that the price is high. Ther cost means we must die to self! I few quotes from the book:

Jesus asks nothing of us without giving us the strength to perform it. His commandment never seeks to destroy life, but to foster, strengthen and heal it. p. 40

"Ye are the salt." Jesus does not say: " You must be the salt." It is not for the disciples to decide whether they will be the salt o...more
Lorna
I wish I could have read this book in its original language - German - because I'm just just a bit of the brilliance is lost in translation. However, the necessary content has remained well intact and it is the content which makes it a book for all seasons, nations, and peoples. In Bonhoeffer's work, he describes the many ways in which the Christian will have to sacrifice himself in order to follow Christ. He deals seriously with topics such as "the Enemy," speaking of the time which is "coming...more
Kayla
Bonhoeffer has some incredible things to say. In the first part of his book, he compares “costly grace” and “cheap grace.” How often we cheapen God’s grace! I underlined a lot in that section. In the second (and longest) of the three parts, he goes through the Sermon on the Mount in depth. Some of what he mentioned, I’d heard before; some I hadn’t. It was interesting to look at it with a different perspective. His third section is mostly about the Church and what we should look like in the world...more
Ashley Anderson
I read this as a senior in college and became convinced of the personal price that we must pay as followers of Jesus. However, upon further reflection and life experience, I have come to deeply question the theology that this book supports. While we find ourselves at odd with the Powers That Be, we may indeed find ourselves at great risk. Questioning dominating and oppressive systems (and the human beings who embody such systems), we who are rooted in a faith that does justice are often in dange...more
C. Hollis Crossman
Put simply: grace is not cheap, and Christ's followers are called to imitate Him and practice the God-ordained ethics presented in the Law and elaborated in the Beatitudes.

Bonhoeffer calls us to abandon the heretical notion of "free grace" in the sense of "grace that requires nothing of the recipient." While this is technically true in the sense that no one is saved through his or her good works, it's also absolutely true that God calls us to repentance and new life in the Spirit.

The call is ete...more
Steve
A great thought provoking read setting forth Bonhoeffer's thoughts on the Word as it relates to discipleship. I particularly appreciated his thoughts on "cheap" vs. "costly" grace: "cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline. Communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ." While Gods grace is freely given it isn't free, and while you could never earn God...more
Barry
This book is chock full of wisdom and deeply profound insights, but it took me almost two months to get through it simply because its readability is quite low. Perhaps this is because of the translation, or because Mr Bonhoeffer wrote in a different era, but whatever the reason, it's a tough read. Compounding the problem of poor readability is the injection of strong opinions about non-essential Christian beliefs. Writers are entitled to their opinions like everyone else, and I'm entitled to dis...more
Friedrich Kauder
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this book having returned to Nazi Germany in order to teach prospective pastors a version of Christianity very different from the twisted "Germanic" doctrine of the official church of the Reich. Living in a society deformed by a merciless regime and perhaps anticipating his own martyrdom, Bonhoeffer explored what it means to be Christian.

Bonhoeffer's theology is radical: he rejects this world. Its pains are meaningless, its pleasures a dangerous distraction from faith....more
J. Alfred
Well, Bonhoeffer is WAY over my head. I liked what I understood, or thought I liked what I thought I understood. I am confused and distressed about some of what I thought he was saying, though: there's no salvation outside the visible church? There can be no vice in a true Christian? I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that makes me a non-Christian, and I have generally felt things that unchurch me to be somewhat distasteful.
I did like some of his expostitions, though, especially that "the son of...more
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The Cost of Discipleship (Paperback)
Discipleship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4 (Paperback)
The Cost Of Discipleship (Scm Classics)
Discipleship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4 (Kindle Edition)
The Cost of Discipleship (Audio CD)

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian. He was also a participant in the German Resistance movement against Nazism, a founding member of the Confessing Church. His involvement in plans by members of the Abwehr (the German Military Intelligence Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent execution by hanging in April 1945, sho...more
More about Dietrich Bonhoeffer...
Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community Letters and Papers from Prison Ethics (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Vol. 6) Sanctorum Communio Psalms

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“Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession.... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” 268 people liked it
“Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” 202 people liked it
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