About two weeks ago, I finished the audiobook version of "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy", by Eric Metaxas. This was fantastic, and since I've done nothing but talk about it (apparently), I won't write much of a review.
Basically, if you thought the Nazis were bad, you should read/listen to this book. The Nazis were horrible. In particular, their deception and abuse of the Christian church in Germany teaches an important lesson the church needs to learn -- be serious and coherent about your theology! Many pastors and congregations in Germany were led astray because they didn't listen carefully to what the Nazis were saying, and didn't know the Bible well enough to respond. A lazy church is a weak church, and the Nazis exploited it as long as it served their purposes.
Anyway, this was a fascinating book, and I am even more interested to read some of Bonhoeffer's original works. Highly recommended!
I read The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He discussed cheap grace, costly grace, discipleship. A bulk of the book examines the Sermon on the Mount and applying the lessons we are taught by Jesus in Matthew chapters 5-7. This book was inspirational. Bonhoeffer applied his beliefs and took action. He went back to Nazi Germany to try and save the church and stand up for his beliefs at a time when most Christians did not. It cost him his life. It made you think about whether or not you would take such action if you had to make a choice...follow God and do what is right even if you know it will cost you your life.
ReplyDeleteI would like to read the Metaxas book to learn more about his life.