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 when the confession of the living God will incur not only the hatred and the fury of the world, for on the whole it has come to that already, but complete ostracism from 'human society,' as they call it. The Christians will be hounded from place to place, subjected to physical assault, maltreatment and death of every kind. We are approaching an age of widespread persecution. Therein lies the true significance of all the movements and conflicts of our age. Our adversaries seek to root out the Christian Church and the Christian faith because they see in every word we utter and every deed we do, even when they are not specifically directed against them, a condemnation of their own words and deeds" (151). He goes on to say that Christians "must not fear men. Men can do them no harm, for the power of men ceases with the death of the body. But they must overcome the fear of death with the fear of God. The danger lies not in the judgement of men, but in the judgement of God, not in the death of the body but in the eternal destruction of body and soul" (218).
Furthermore, Bonhoeffer goes on to encourage the Christian person in the community of believers in chapters on "The Visible Community" and "The Saints," making statements like "Let [the Christian] remain in the world to engage in frontal assault on it, and let him live the life of his secular calling in order to show himself as a stranger in this world all the more. But that is only possible if we are visible members of the Church" (264-265). Bonhoeffer describes how Christians are to live in the world, but not be of the world - having marriages, relationships, practices and behaviors that are transformed by the Holy Spirit and lived out in an effort to become more like Christ (269). His book ends on a triumphant note, speaking of him who "is born of God has ceased from sin, sin has no more dominion over them, they are dead unto sin and live through the Spirit" (286) and talking about God's followers in this way "They wander on earth and live in heave, and although they are weak, they protect the world; they taste of peace in the midst of turmoil; they are poor, and yet they have all they want. They stand in suffering and remain in joy, they appear dead to all outward sense and lead a life of faith within. 'When Christ, their life, shall be manifested, when once he appears in glory, they too will appear in glory with him as princes of the earth. They will reign and triumph with him, and adorn heaven as shining lights. There, joy will be shared by all' (C.F. Richter). That is the Church of the elect, the Ecclesia, those who have been called out, the Body of Christ on earth, the followers and disciples of Jesus" (270-271).
Following Christ is serious business; not following Christ is a death wish for one's soul. Please read this book regardless of which category you fall into - you may find yourself switching teams.