The Cost of Discipleship (1937) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“A comprehensive treatment on the subject of being a radical disciple of Jesus...from someone who seemed to have lived it as much as he proclaimed it.”

• Rated 5 stars

“The first two chapters, comparing cheap grace to costly grace, alone are worth the price of the book.”

• Rated 1 stars

“German philosophers and theologians are thorough and exhausting. They write as if it's war. "Things are commonly thus/You might think thusly" - but because of this and this and this, it isn't so - "And so one might consider it this" - but because of this and this and that, it isn't - "And so it seems thus" - but actually it is this (insert proofs) - "Another thing is commonly thus.... An insight into the reasons why this man of the cloth joined that infamous plot to assassinate Hitler.”

• Rated 0 stars

“Next to the Bible, this is my ultimate favorite book. I needed to read it as a text book for my Dietrich Bonhoeffer class in Seminary, and loved it. I'm a Youth Pastor, and as a graduation gift to my high school seniors, I gave them this book in order to challenge them in their faith, and look at things deeper. One of my students still hasn't finished the book, for each time he reads a chapter, he has to stop and pray about it because he realizes a) it's often what he's been thinking but couldn't put into words; b) it's something he's working on in his life, and doesn't feel ready to begin the next chapter yet.

It's not an easy book to read though. I gave a copy to my mom and she sent it back because it was too theological for her. But it's really good stuff.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a young Lutheran pastor from Germany. He studied in Berlin & New York City. in 1945, he was hanged by the Nazis due to a family connection w/ those who conspired and attempted to assinate Hitler.

Yes, this book is basically a topical commentary, but reading it just makes sense...and I believe that if more of our churches today not only believed, but also practiced what Bonhoeffer says in this book, that the Church would be better united, and healthier in its theology and ministry.

I don't expect everyone to agree with everything Bonhoeffer says, but I believe that the things you do agree with will make more sense when you read this book.”

• Rated 2 stars

“As my reading went on in this book I lost interest fast...seems as I went on it mostly said the same things in differant forms..I enjoyed what I READ and learned alot about Grace I never new..”

• Rated 5 stars

“This book always encourages me and I need to read it again to make a better opinion/statement here, but from what I remember it's pretty good. This book reviews chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the Gospel of Matthew with a very literal eye to discern what it means to live and be a follower or disciple of Jesus Christ. Bonhoeffer takes the texts line by line and expounds on what was stated, why it was stated, the context upon which it was stated, and then relates it to the everyday man. Consequently, Bonhoeffer is able to make the sayings of Jesus relevant to all people. His writings however are dense, full of meaning, and at times somewhat difficult to process because he's able to clearly present such a large volume of information. It takes me a long time to read his works, and this book, because I constantly find myself lost in thought over what he has written. Bonhoeffer does a great job of explaining why and what Jesus meant. We are indebted to him as he was a great theologian of his day. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand what it means to live life as Jesus would and as we should in, “the Kingdom." ”

• Rated 5 stars

“A classic meditation on the meaning of genuine Christianity. This book will help mature you as a Christian and provide food for spiritual thought.”

• Rated 4 stars

“I hated, hated, hated this book when I read it several years ago. I remember throwing the book across the room during a discussion with others from my church about it, wondering how anyone could explain a free gift of eternal life in such a painful costly way. But, since that time, the contents of this book has remained in the back of my mind and heart, and impacted my relationship with God in a big way. Bonhoeffer attacks many of the "justifications" people make when reading the teachings of Christ, and he slowly works his way through the gospel accounts to explain what saving faith looks like.
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