One year after reading the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by
Eric Metaxas (Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy http://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Pastor-Martyr-Prophet-Spy/dp/1595552464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338379314&sr=8-1) I read, “The Cost of
Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer himself.
Even knowing Bonhoeffer was a martyr for Christ, I was blown
away by his words! As I read both
books, I kept wondering “did he know he
was going to give his life for Christ? Did he realize he would end up giving
all?”
I don’t have an answer to those questions. What I can tell
you, is daily Bonhoeffer committed his life to Christ. He knew what it meant to
take up his cross and follow his savior.
Next week I look forward to beginning a series based on his book
that I believe will challenge you and make you re-evaluate your commitment to
God.
But before beginning this series on Monday, I wanted you to
have some background information on who Bonhoeffer was as I think it will help
make his words more powerful.
Before giving his life, Bonhoeffer lost many other things,
things that would have most of us crumbling or admitting defeat.
He was devoted to learning
and teaching…under Hitler, he was not allowed to continue teaching in
Universities.
He loved his church,
loved serving his flock…due to pressures from outside the church by the Nazi
Regime, Bonhoeffer left the church. The
church had grown complacent and tolerant and they didn’t like Bonhoeffer
challenging their traditions.
He loved his
family…due to threats from the Nazi’s, Bonhoeffer spent much of his life away
from those he loved to help keep them safe.
He loved to
travel…again, thanks to Hitler, Bonhoeffer was limited on the things he had
dreamed of experiencing.
He loved writing…due
to his work in resisting Hitler, Bonhoeffer was not able to devote as much time
as possible to writing, then his last book was cut short by his untimely death (just
a few short weeks before Hitler himself died).
He met a woman, they
were engaged…before they could be married, he spent years in prison and then died.
These are just a few of the things Bonhoeffer sacrificed for
serving his Lord.
As we read “The Cost of Discipleship” please keep in mind
this man knew what he was talking about.
To me, this book has power because the man who wrote it was
a hero, a man we should all look up to, and a man who truly followed Christ- no
matter the cost. Thankfully God does require us all to bare such crosses, but
we do each have a cross and we must take it up daily.
Before you start thinking I’m a fanatic about Bonhoeffer,
let me tell you, he was not perfect.
At one point he thought to flee to America to avoid
Hitler. Once there, he felt convicted
and returned to Germany to fight the monster known as Adolf Hitler. This isn’t
the only instance he wondered if he was on the right path. Within himself, he battled in knowing what
God’s will was for his life. He struggled between honoring God and loving his
country. (We won’t get into his part in
the plot to assassinate Hitler, it was not a decision Bonhoeffer took lightly-
you will need to read Metaxas’ book to get the full details).
Today Bonhoeffer would be horrified to learn his life and
works have been co-opted by the left. I’m still puzzled how the left has
managed to twist his life. All I can assume is that they are marginally
successful because so many have not studied this man nor read his works first
hand. Instead they read distortions. If one would simply read his own words,
they would come to realize Bonhoeffer was a man sincere in his devotion to God
and to his country.
Another thing Bonhoeffer would be saddened by is that some
have taken a cult like obsession about him and are worshiping him rather than
the Glorious Christ he served with his very being.
It is not my objective to glorify Bonhoeffer, only to point
out his devotion to Christ as we read his words and are challenged to go deeper
in our commitment and discipleship in serving the One True Savior- Jesus
Christ. To Him alone be glory and honor.
I’ve written one other post on Bonhoeffer, you can check it
out here: http://tcavey.blogspot.com/2011/08/even-adults-need-role-models.html
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