Editorial Review

"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." With these words, in Read more

Reviews (65)

A Fitting Tribute
In reading Bonhoeffer's book, The Cost of Discipleship, I was impressed at the sincerity and depth of feeling Bonhoeffer had toward the subject matter. Knowing of his deep sacrifice and his own belief in being a true disciple of Christ, this made the book even more telling. His explanation of the cost and of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount was an inspiration to me and my own ministry. By his own experiences, he has laid out a model for a Christian to follow in becoming more fulfilled and living for Christ as He wanted us to live. This isn't the first book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer I have read. I found his "Spiritual Care" to be the best I have read for aspiring ministers of the word. The Cost of Discipleship takes off from that and emphasizes what a Christian is and how you should live your life to fully emulate Christ and all that He stands for. While the first chapter is a little long, the rest of the book comes across with definite concepts and hard-hitting thought. Again, this is a must-read for pastors and other ministers of the Word.

Always a good read
Bonhoeffer has always been an appropriate challenge and reminder to the Western church about the incredible value of the grace of God, and how that ought to radically transform our mindset.
Incomplete
What I have read so far is very good.It is not a criticism of the book, but just they way I read books.Am looking forward to completion of my reading ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bekennende Kirche authors    2. Christian life    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Character & Values    4. Christianity - Discipleship    5. Christianity - Theology - Ethics    6. Criticism, interpretation, etc    7. Moral Theology    8. New Testament    9. Religion    10. Religion - Classic Works    11. Sermon on the mount    12. Christian moral & pastoral theology    13. Religion / General   

Reviews (5)

Meaty enough to read this year and next
This is a great devotional book, and I am not usually one that finds devotionals set up like this very interesting. It is set up to have a reading each day during Advent, Christmas and through to Epiphany, and the readings are all written by people like C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Kathleen Norris, Annie Dillard, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, etc.This is no, "What was the innkeeper thinking" sort of advent reading book.It is thoughtful and insightful and has a lot to say that ties into the preparative nature of advent, that is the preparation for the messiah's return.The writings vary in length and type from scholarly writings to musings to poetry or introspection. The readings are meaty enough, too, that you could certainly read them this year and again next year and they'll still be good.

Much more than Advent and Christmas reading.
I really shouldn't write a review yet, because I haven't finished the book. I'm doing so in hopes that people will buy the book in time to use it this year. This is an excellent book of essays, a few poems, and some sermons. There are some very "heavy hitters" in the mix--check out the table of contents. I have only read through December 2 so far, but it has been a very rewarding journey just a few steps down the path. I particularly love the piece by Karl Rahner (1904-1984), a German Jesuit and theologian. It is very cutting edge theology for its time and even for today, and it reads beautifully and powerfully. Henri Nouwen is also excellent, along with Sylvia Plath's poem.
Watch For the Light
I have not read the book as it is to use during Advent and Christmas and the readings begin on November 24, 2005. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Devotional    2. Holidays - Christmas    3. Religion    4. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    5. Spirituality - General    6. Bible readings or selections    7. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works   

Reviews (26)

Very, very good
This is powerful exploration of the nature of biblical community. Written by Bonhoeffer who led an underground seminary in Nazi Germany, this book has the undertones of monastery - but it is still a penetrating analysis on the nature of true community. One thing I especially appreciated was the realism of this book. Bonhoeffer helps us get over the greener-pasture syndrome and actually embrace the believers that God has placed in our lives. As with Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship, this is a modern classic worth the thoughtful reading and reflection of any growing Christian.

The classic work on faith in community, could be better translated
Bonhoeffer's classic work on faith in community is still relevant and useful today.He has a lot of strong points, such as his approach to talking about things that destroy fellowship and his explanation of why to be thankful for whatever fellowship you have. I bought this book to learn about fellowship and community on a large scale--a level of what that should look like between ministry organizations and churches, and it is the best resource that I've found that isn't written specifically for a local church to the extent that it is hard to use elsewhere.However, this translation of the work is not smooth.There are phrases used such as "wish dreams" (idealistic expectations) that are uncommon and sometimes hard to digest.The word order also tends to be confusing.I found myself having to reread paragraphs in order to get Bonhoeffer's point.I have a feeling that the original German text was better written than this translation, or I'm not sure it would be considered a classic.

Well worth a very good read
I read this book for the pre-membership class at my church and it was well worth reading, even as a non-Lutheran. Bonhoeffer's book shows us how community is a priviledge and a responsibility. It was goodfor me to read someone from a different era and denomination than myself to help me perceive things from a grander perspective. As C. S. Lewis so rightly pointed out, it is often the older books from different eras and cultures that have different assumptions than we do that prove to be most valuable. This book is a very worthwhile read; it goes beyond the shallow ecumenicism and the "unity" at the expense of truth so popular in our days.
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Subjects:  1. Christian life    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Christianity - History - Protestant    4. Devotional    5. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    6. Biography: general    7. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    8. Religion / Christianity   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (12)

Journal of a Christian
I bought the book looking to know more about Bonhoeffer's theology..and ended up learning more about my own. Though at times I didn't agree with his thoughts, I found myself agreeing with the man. These letters mix profound questions with small daily details of life. It is authentic and transparent in a way that typical straightforward "theology" books can't be. There is honest, articulate, and earnest faith in these unselfconscious and private thoughts.

A Tragic Historical Record
I bought this book not knowing what to expect.What I found was an odd mixture of thoughts of a man in a horrible position.The letters, poems, notes, and short stories run the gamut of emotions.In one letter Bonhoeffer is examining some theological principle and in another he is keeping up on family relations.If you read this book, you will get an idea of what it must have been like to be a Nazi prisoner and depend on others for your care.You will also learn how much Bonhoeffer cared for his fiancee and best friend.Three words of advice: 1) know a bit about Bonhoeffer's life before you pick up this book, 2) look into the new translation of this book that will be coming out soon from Ausburg Fortress Press and 3) be prepared for an emotional and moving look behind the closed doors of a Nazi prison.

Food for the soul
An excellent selfportrait of Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran minister, while in a nazi German prison during the war.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1906-1945    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Bonhoeffer, Dietrich,    6. Christianity - History - General    7. Germany    8. Inspirational - General    9. Religious    10. Theologians    11. Theology    12. Biography: general    13. Christianity    14. Religion / General   

Reviews (5)

Proverbs
"To do evil is better than to be evil."With that the reader is launched into a book filled with thoughts, and 20th century proverbs that require us to think.Thinking....a new activity for some, a joy for others.This treatise has been a source of great joy and in its new format and updated edition is a must for bookshelves, teachers, theologians, and those who work among the poor, the hurting, and the victims.Proverbs are not easy...nor are Bonhoeffer's ethics.This book takes a lifetime to dissolve into the bloodstream and yet we have history to put each proverb into a context that helps it become applicable to the 21st century and beyond.

Excellent but incomplete work
I imagine many of you reading this have read _The Cost of Discipleship_. Having just completed _Ethics_, I feel it is a superior work. I was constantly challenged as I was reading to rethink many of my assumptions about ethics from a Christian perspective. The portion at the end about "telling the truth" is alone worth the price of the book. Ethics - More than just about theories for ethical living.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book on "Ethics" reveals an underlying message that runs deeper than just a "how to" guide on ethical behavior.This message is that Jesus Christ was more than a prophet, enlightened man, or guide for life.Namely, that Christ, the "I AM" and Adonai Elohim revealed in God's Word is our personal savior from sin and the only key to eternal life with God.This book has weaved within the surface of conscious law the free redemptive work of Christ as payment for the sin of the world, and our resulting praise in ethical living no longer demanded by God, but now offered in thanks to Him.If you are looking for an enhanced understanding of our position in God's spiritual kingdom while on earth, then this book offers a marvelous insight into that ethical position by bringing us to know God's immeasurable love for mankind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bekennende Kirche authors    2. Christian ethics    3. Christianity - Theology - Ethics    4. Moral Theology    5. Religion    6. Religion - Theology    7. Theology    8. Christian moral & pastoral theology    9. Religion / General   

Reviews (4)

Read This Before You Buy!
My daughter wanted a copy of the book of Psalms.I thought I was buying her a lovely gift.My mistake.This book is about Psalms; it does not contain Psalms.It is also very small, paperbacked, and not terribly impressive.
Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible
An amazing way to read and understant the Psalms.

Praying with Christ
In this beautiful little book, Bonhoeffer guides the Christian to the Scriptures for lessons in how to pray. He affirms that the Lord's Prayer is the primary prayer of the Christian, which he asserts contains every prayer that a Christian ought to pray. Bonhoeffer also makes a startling but wise claim that jolts us out of the narrowness of our focus in prayer: "The richness of the Word of God ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart." Thus we find the book of Psalms to be a rich treasury of prayers that are part of God's inspired word, and therefore a true place to learn how God would have us pray. Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Study - Old Testament    3. Introductions    4. O.T    5. Psalms    6. Religion - Biblical Studies    7. Books of the Old Testament   

Reviews (1)

bonhoeffer's description of practical community
Life Together is Bonhoeffer's description of community life at the Finkenwalde seminary, the underground seminary for the Confessing Church that he led until it was closed by the Nazis.Life Together provides a practical conclusion to Bonhoeffer's early concentration on ecclesiology.It is an excellent tool for both academic and devotional studies of the nature of community.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Protestant    2. Individual Theologians And Their Works (General)    3. Religion    4. Religion - Theology    5. Theology    6. Christian theology    7. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works   

Reviews (4)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer not light reading
This book of daily meditations has been very meaningful for me, probably made more so since I had already read his book, The Cost of Discipleship, which is a must to fully understand all that goes into his strong, teaching message. He lived daily for what he believed and proved it by dying for it, too, at the hand of the Nazis. He was an amazing disciple for Christ, and his message needs to be read even more today. This is not lighthearted reading but has a deep message on how to live for Christ and the freedom it brings.

All in One
I have enjoyed the writings of Bonhoeffer for decades and I have been led to think through many of his ethical situations and his choices between peace and the need of the victims.On this 100th anniversary of Bonhoeffer's birth it would be easy to run out an buy all his works.Yet, here, in one very-well-edited manual are the best of the best excerpts of his writings, his thoughts, his heartache, and his reflections on God.Written in the midst of passionately living out the Christian life, Bonhoeffer did not have the gift of reflecting back on his writings in his old age.History has given that task to us.Was he always right?Did every ethic make sense?Was it proper to get involved in assasinating Hitler?Time, scholars and those of us who live through the same decisions delight is walking alongside Bonhoeffer and wrestling with the same hard choices and Bonhoeffer helps us to catalog our thoughts.This volume will never be a Classic like his individual works, but it WILL be a Companion that want to take his writings with us around the world.

A excellent overall introduction
The introdution by Wallis is a gem. My wife and I read several days at at time and find this an excellent way to read DB's original works and decide which of his books speak most directly and clearly to us.Testament, Letters and Discipleship have proven our favorits, while Ethics remains too doficult and laborious. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Literature    3. Devotional    4. Devotional calendars    5. Religion    6. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    7. Spirituality - General    8. Worship    9. Christian Interest    10. Christian devotional theology    11. Religion / Devotional    12. Religion / Spirituality   

Reviews (6)

A difficult gem
Christ the Center is an incredible, somewhat flawed re-envisioning of Christology-in fact, of Christian theology as a whole. Bonhoeffer turns the usual exercise of Christology as an elaboration of the qualities of Jesus Christ and the relationship between elements of the alphabet soup of Nicea and Chalcedon on its head, declaring that these traditional declarations of the Church are useful in reigning in conceptions of Christ that inappropriately objectify God, but they do not constitute a positive contribution to our understanding of God.
The great German theologian puts first things first
After seminary taught me how to dissect the Bible and faith, thispre-WWII work by the disciple of "costly grace" helped me put it back together.It is thoroughly academic, and it is unswerving in its insistence that questions of Biblical criticism cannot be placed before and above the question of our relationship to Christ.When Christ is the center, the world looks different than we arrogantly thought it would when looking from the outside in.

Who?
In his book (lecture), Christ the Center, the great German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer seeks to show a Christology that emphasizes a new angle from which to view Christ, while keeping Christ at the center of all consideration and study. For Bonhoeffer, the key to the new understanding of Christ is to change from asking "How" he is what he is to asking "Who" he is. The decisive question is always; Who is Christ? In Mark 8:29 Jesus asks this crucial question to his disciples. The asking the `who' question rather than the `how' moves Christ closer to the center.Bonhoeffer's theology radiates from Christ at the center. Christ can be found in the Word (logos), in the sacraments and members of the church, and is also the mediator of all earthly existence and history. Christ is always the center, and the only center. Bonhoeffer's style is very German. I found the book in places to be superfluously worded, a bit erudite, and dogmatic. I felt he used the "proof by repeated assertion" method to make his point. I agree with his suggestion to view Christ from different perspectives, breaking down the barriers that some views might impose. Still, I feel that when all "who" questions are asked, we still come around to needing to ask the "how" questions. It can not be avoided in a post-Enlightenment, scientific thinking world.I feel the need to ask `how'" the "who" will answer all my question. Maybe it is just the semantics that confused me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Addresses and essays    2. Addresses, essays, lectures    3. Christianity - General    4. Christianity - History - General    5. Christianity - Theology - Christology    6. Jesus Christ    7. Person and offices    8. Religion    9. Religion - Theology    10. Christianity    11. Religion / Christianity   

Subjects:  1. 1933-1945    2. Christianity - Theology - History    3. Christianity - Theology - Protestant    4. Church and state    5. Correspondence    6. Germany    7. History    8. Political prisoners    9. Religion    10. Religion - Theology    11. Sources    12. Theologians    13. Biography: historical    14. Europe    15. European history: Second World War    16. Prisoners of war   

Reviews (6)

Bonhoeffer's Theology in Context
The great gift of this reader is not just that it provides a diverse sampling of Bonhoeffer's works and sermons, but that the editor's provide an historical context in which to read and therefore, understand the progression of his thoughts.
Simply Amazing.......
Of all the theology books I have read, A Testament to Freedom is the most powerful, most compelling book I have ever read. It is a wonderful collection of sermons and writings throughout his life. Each chapter is brief, but powerful. His sermon titled "On Forgiveness" is especially well-written. If you want a collection of well-written, powerful prose that speaks to spirituality at its best, get this book. Highly recommended.

A Must Have
There have been thousands of latter day martyrs, but we have few chances to read their actual writings. This book would be a prize just on that merit, but he was also a preeminent scholar. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Protestant    2. Germany - History - Third Reich (1933-1945)    3. Individual Theologians And Their Works (General)    4. Religion    5. Religion - Theology    6. Religious    7. Theology    8. Germany    9. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    10. Religion / Theology   

Reviews (1)

Some things he believes
He questioned the Virgin Birth, and in reality denied it (The Cost of Discipleship, p. 215).
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Subjects:  1. Religion   

Reviews (4)

An Outstanding Introduction
I am constantly amazed at the number of Christians I meet who have never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.This little book could go a long way toward remedying that situation.Although much of Bonhoeffer's work is difficult to understand, this helpful little volume selects from the among the best and clearest of his writings. In a day when so many Christians are happy to limit their reading to only the lightest of reads, this little book could do a lot to help them to the so-called "next level."The book would be a great volume for discussion groups interested in exploring Bonhoeffer's thought.

Brilliant thoughts from a witness who stood up
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a martyr,saint theologian, writer and witness. His writings, from which these exerpts have been gleaned, can be dense filled with obtuse terminology,and somewaht dry. These exerpts are clear, straightfoward, and life affirmimng[as all good theology should be]Bonhoeffer has become celebrated for his concept,developing during his final days, of a churchless Christianity. That controversy is not going to bed quite yet, though I think it ignores the basic fact that He was a practising churchman, very involved in the scarements and in developing future pastors at Finkenwalde...Either way, this is an excellent introduction to Bonhoeffer, from Coles introduction to the exerpts of all his major works{Life together,Ethics, Christ the Center, The Cost of Discipleship and Letters and papers from prison} this is the best introduction to the seminal churman of his time, and one of the greatest men of the past century.

Easy and thought provoking...
...I have been nervous about Bonhoeffer's work until I picked up this slim volume. Although it is meant to be read day by day, I finished it in under two hours.Bonhoeffer was so uplifting, despite his final days, andthis book perfectly takes his thoughts and compresses them into enoughsnippets that make you want to read more.I am a curious layperson whostrongly recommends this little book with big ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Protestanism    2. Christianity - Theology - Protestant    3. Protestant Doctrinal Theology (General)    4. Religion    5. Religion - Theology    6. Theology    7. Essays, journals, letters & other prose works   

Reviews (2)

I would NOT recommend this book unless . . .
This book is my first attempt at reading Bonhoeffer. I had heard of him for a number of years, and recently viewed a PBS special on his life that piqued my curiousity. I decided to delve into his works and figured what better place to start than the beginning. Fortunately reading through Bonhoeffer's works in an orderly fashion is possible due to the publication of "Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works", the sixteen volume series in English. According to the web site of Fortress Press, the publisher of the series, it is "The definitive Englishtranslation of the Critical Edition. A comprehensive and thoroughly annotated sixteen-volume resource for the study of Bonhoeffer in thewider frame of twentieth-century thought and history." I am very impressed by the format, the footnotes, and the supplemental information, and would highly recommend that if you read Bonhoeffer you read from these editions.
great
I discovered Bonhoeffer after a short remark by my pastor and suddenly a new world was opened to me.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian sociology    2. Christianity - Theology - Ecclesiology    3. Christianity - Theology - General    4. Ethics    5. Religion    6. Religion - Theology    7. Social Theology    8. Sociology of Religion    9. Theology    10. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - General    2. Christianity - Theology - Protestant    3. Individual Theologians And Their Works (General)    4. Religion    5. Religion - Theology    6. Theology    7. Christian theology   

Subjects:  1. Inspirational    2. Inspirational - Protestant    3. Religion    4. Theology   

Editorial Review

Making sense of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection may be the most difficult and necessary task facing any Christian, not only during Lent, but throughout the year. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor whowas executed by the Nazis in 1945, constantly wrote about these themes, and made better sense of them for 20th-century Christians than almost anyone else. Read more

Reviews (3)

Aid to Bible Study
Each small chapter starts with a Bible paragraph and subsequent remarks by Bonhoeffer that can spruce up any bible study as well as be used on its own by a study group.

Mini-Dietrich
I found this to be - less than I had hoped for; the essays are good - but not what I had hoped for - inspiration wise.The book is a set of brief, frequently less than a page, essays on various topics of Christian life.If you are a die-hard Bonhoeffer lover you will no doubt love it.Personally I can take or leave Bonhoeffer, and found the "Letters and Papers from Prison" much more useful - to be fair of course "letters and papers" is about 5 times the size of this text.

Meditations on the Cross.
This book is has selection of texts from Dietrich Bonhoeffers sermons,lectures, books and his letters from prison. Some of the texts are short(only few lines) while others are up to 13 pages long. But here you findtheology of the cross, and that in a very broad sense. Here�s a short textfrom this book from page 49: "Jesus is not a human being but the humanbeing. Whatever happens to him also happens to human beings as such; ithappens to everyone; and thus also to us. The name Jesus embraces all ofhumanity and all of God." What happened on the cross happens tohumanity, human beings as such, that means all of us!The cross,resurrection and overcoming death was central in Dietrich Bonhoefferstheological work so here�s just a glimpse of what one of the greatesttheologian in the 20th century said and wrote but highly enjoyable. I onlywonder if it wasn�t possible to have this book a bit longer? It is 94 pageslong and it does not take a long time to read it. But it�s a good book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Christology    2. Christianity - Theology - General    3. Crucifixion    4. Devotional    5. Devotional literature    6. Easter    7. Jesus Christ    8. Lent    9. Miscellanea    10. Religion    11. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    12. Resurrection    13. Christian worship   

Reviews (2)

An inspiring collection of thoughtful and thought-provoking quotes taken from the Bonhoeffer's writings
Wondrously Sheltered by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is an inspiring collection of thoughtful and thought-provoking quotes taken from the Bonhoeffer's writings and which are quite nicely illustrated with photographs of intimate and vivid lands and natures. Imaging and exploring the beauties of Earth's most favorable natural environments and plants, Wondrously Sheltered provides readers with a Zen-like feeling as their emotional reasoning responds to the lyrical texts. Wondrously Sheltered is very highly recommended for readers searching for an very special gift book, a relaxing and soothing table-book, or a momentary surcease from life's daily stresses. Happiness: This is one of those moments in which one has so much to say that, really, one can only remain silent. One's heart is so full of good, peaceful, grateful thoughts and feels so sheltered from all danger and temptation that it simply would like to offer some of what it itself has so undeservedly received. -- Excerpted from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's letter to his fiancee, Christmas Eve, 1943.
Wondrously Sheltered - less is more
Sometimes less is more.They say a picture is worth a thousand words.I say one or two good words in prayer or poetry bring to mind and heart a thousand images.This is a book that one could read in ten minutes and then spend a life time with it in thought and reflection.It is not the exhoustive treatments found in "Ethics," "Letters & Papers From Prison," "Life Together," or "The Cost of Discipleship," but it is a wonderful gem of the thoughts and theology found in some of these other works.Whether this is a first intro to Bonhoeffer, or just your latest effort to dig deeper, you will find it to be meaningful and relevant to your life today.Achim Daffin, Pastor of Tirzah Presbyterian Church, York SC. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Protestant    2. Inspirational    3. Inspirational - Gifts    4. Religion    5. Spirituality - General    6. Spirituality    7. Theology   

Reviews (1)

The Heart of Bonhoeffer
The fourth volume, "Discipleship" in the Bonhoeffer works series is an outstanding representation of not just Bonhoeffer the theologian, but Bonhoeffer the man as well.The fresh translation brings back to life the passion with which this man of God lived his life.Bonhoeffer viewed the church of his day as falling away from the teachings of Jesus, but within the pages of, "Discipleship", he writes of what is necessary of the Christian, in order that he or she may be true disciples of Christ. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Discipleship    2. Christianity - Theology - Protestant    3. Religion    4. Religion - Theology    5. Spirituality - General    6. Theology    7. Christian spirituality