Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, among the first German Protestants to perceive the diabolical nature of Nazism, was implicated in the plot to assassinate Hitler and destroy his Third Reich for which Bonhoeffer was hanged. The author explains that Bonhoeffer taught that ethical behavior was founded on the unification of the reality of the world, God and Christ and criticized other theories for their failure to confront evil directly. The paper reflects upon a major work by Bonhoeffer "The Cost of Discipleship", published in 1948, in which he discussed "costly grace" as the center of discipleship.

Table of Contents:
Life
Teachings
Reading Reflection

From the Paper:

"Grace is cheap if the sin is blotted out but the sinner remains unjustified or remains feeling unjustified. No human being can do the job. God's free grace alone can do and does everything. Despite man's best efforts at living well, the world can only go the same old way and sinners will remain sinners. The sinner must feel forgiven if the forgiveness is real. Otherwise, it is only cheap grace and cheap grace is unreal. True forgiveness releases the sinner from the sin and makes the sin leave the sinner. Cheap grace is also only ministerial or external."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bloesch, Donald. Deitrich Bonhoeffer. Heroes of the Faith: Don Schwager, 2000. Retrieved on April 19, 2008 from http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/heroe30a.htm
• Foster, R. J and Smith, J. B., eds. "Costly Grace." The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. SCM Press, 1948
• ---------------------------------------. "Deitrich Bonhoeffer." Devotional Classics. San Francisco: Harper, July 2005
• Huff, Donald. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2006. Retrieved on April 10, 2008 from http://www.iep.utm.edu/b/bonhoeff.htm
• Ritterhouse, Bruce. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. University of Chicago Divinity School: Lutheran School of Theology and Mission, 2007

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