#54 Book Review: The Cost of Discipleship

Introduction

I first read The Cost of Discipleship when I was ~14 years old. Since then I have read this book almost a dozen times. It is very German in its style, which is to say it is concise and complicated. Every time I have read this book, from page to page I say to myself that it is so right yet as the book ends I cannot for my life tell what all it is about. It is always one of my first recommendations to Christians after the Bible. When I first met my wife, I let her borrow my copy of the book. A couple weeks later she came back to me having read the book and it had over 50 bookmarks in places where she wanted to talk about it. This book is not easy, but it stimulates and convicts the Christian mind drawing you closer to God and asking serious questions; and after all what more could you want from a book?

Summary

The Cost of Discipleship, was written by German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it is a seminal work in Christian literature. First published in 1937, the book is a profound exploration of what it means to truly follow Christ. Bonhoeffer's reflections are particularly poignant given his context as an outspoken critic of the Nazi regime, a stance that ultimately led to his martyrdom. His insights into the nature of Christian discipleship challenge believers to a deeper, more committed faith. The Cost of Discipleship is divided into four parts. The first part, "Grace and Discipleship," contrasts cheap grace, grace without discipleship, the cross, and Jesus Christ, with costly grace, which calls for a life of commitment and obedience. The second part, "The Sermon on the Mount," offers a detailed exposition of Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5-7, emphasizing their radical demands on the believer. The third part, "The Messengers," examines the calling and mission of the disciples, extending these principles to the church at large. The final part, "The Church of Jesus Christ and the Life of Discipleship," discusses the communal aspects of discipleship and the church's role in supporting the life of a disciple.

Key Ideas

Costly Grace vs. Cheap Grace

Bonhoeffer introduces the concept of costly grace, which stands in stark opposition to cheap grace. Cheap grace is the idea that grace is freely given without requiring any real change or commitment from the believer. It is grace without discipleship, without the cross, and without Jesus Christ. In contrast, costly grace is valuable because it requires something of the believer—it demands a response of true discipleship and a willingness to follow Christ even to the point of suffering and death. This concept is central to Bonhoeffer's argument, emphasizing that true grace transforms and requires a total surrender to Christ. Bonhoeffer articulates this clearly: "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." (The Cost of Discipleship)

The Call to Discipleship

Central to Bonhoeffer's theology is the call to discipleship, which he believes is an invitation to follow Jesus in a way that transforms every aspect of life. This call is not just a one-time decision but a continuous, active pursuit of Christ's teachings and example. Bonhoeffer insists that discipleship requires immediate and concrete action, not mere intellectual assent or passive faith. It involves a willingness to leave behind one's old life, take up one's cross, and live in obedience to Christ, regardless of the cost.

The Sermon on the Mount as a Blueprint for Christian Living

Bonhoeffer dedicates a significant portion of the book to unpacking the Sermon on the Mount, viewing it as a blueprint for Christian living. He argues that Jesus' teachings in these chapters of Matthew are not just idealistic principles but are meant to be lived out in practical, everyday ways. This includes radical commands such as loving one's enemies, rejecting materialism, and practicing righteousness in a way that surpasses mere legalistic adherence to the law. Bonhoeffer believes that the Sermon on the Mount is essential for understanding the nature of true discipleship and the kind of life Christ calls his followers to lead.

Conclusion

This book continues to challenge the way I live life, and if you will let it, it may draw you closer to God. Our lives as Christians are built on the foundation of being true followers of Christ as Bonhoeffer explains and Christ shows up in the Sermon on the Mount. I will not settle for cheap grace and neither should you.