Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life: From the Cross, for the World

by Stephen J. Nichols, Justin Taylor (Editor)

Overview

The abundance of conferences, lectures, and new books related to Dietrich Bonhoeffer attests to the growing interest in his amazing life and thought-provoking writings. The legacy of his theological reflections on the nature of fellowship, the costliness of grace, and the necessity of courageous obedience has only been heightened by the reality of how he died: execution at the hands of a Nazi death squad. In this latest addition to the popular Theologians on the Christian Life series, historian Stephen J. Nichols guides readers through a study of Bonhoeffer’s life and work, helping readers understand the basic contours of his cross-centered theology, convictions regarding the Christian life, and circumstances surrounding his dramatic arrest and execution.

Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433523984
Publisher:	Crossway
Publication date:	06/30/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	883 KB

About the Author

Stephen J. Nichols (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) serves as the president of Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer of Ligonier Ministries. He is an editor of the Theologians on the Christian Life series and also hosts the weekly podcast 5 Minutes in Church History.
Justin Taylor (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the executive vice president of book publishing and book publisher at Crossway. He has edited and contributed to several books, including A God-Entranced Vision of All Things and Reclaiming the Center, and he blogs at Between Two Worlds—hosted by the Gospel Coalition.

Table of Contents

Series Preface 11

Acknowledgments 13

Abbreviations 15

Part 1 Introduction

1 Meeting Bonhoeffer 19

Part 2 Foundations

2 In Christ: Life from the Cross 31

3 In Community: Life in the Church 57

Part 3 Disciplines

4 Word 79

5 Prayer 99

6 Confession 113

Part 4 Life

7 Worldliness 129

8 Freedom 151

9 Love 167

Part 5 Literature

10 Reading Bonhoeffer 185

Appendix A A Time Line of Bonhoeffer's Life 191

Appendix B Summary of Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life 193

General Index 195

Scripture Index 203

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“How I rejoice to see thinkers of Stephen Nichols's caliber applying their fine minds to the life and thought of the inimitable Dietrich Bonhoeffer. There’s so much yet to be written about this great man. A hungry readership awaits!”
—Eric Metaxas, New York Times best-selling author, Miracles and Bonhoeffer

“This book will quicken your pulse as you are drawn into the story and the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Stephen Nichols brings a long and complex life to a point of ongoing personal application. This book prompted me to pray for the kind of courage that comes only after intense communion with the living God. Read and be strengthened.”
—Russell D. Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

“‘Human weakness paves the way for God’s grace.’ So writes Stephen Nichols, using Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a guide to the Christian life. But how could a man who stood up to Hitler be considered weak? That’s what makes Bonhoeffer so fascinating, and why he deserves your attention. Nichols helpfully brings Bonhoeffer’s Christ-centered insights to bear on issues where we need to grow in grace, such as confession, freedom, and love.”
—Collin Hansen, Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition; author, Blind Spots

“Bonhoeffer was a unique man who understood the power of both conviction and compassion, clarity and ambiguity, narrative and poetry. Through this man the church is powerfully reminded that all theology is lived theology. In this book, Steve Nichols takes us into Bonhoeffer’s complex world and offers a rich set of reflections on such crucial themes as cross, community, and the living Word. Here the reader discovers a wonderful mixture of fair-minded historical reconstruction and wise pastoral counsel.”
—Kelly M. Kapic, professor of theological studies, Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Georgia

“Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life illustrates the truth that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. His courageous stand against the Nazi regime is a powerful testament to his cross-centered theology and belief that weakness is the starting point for Christian spirituality. With insight, clarity, and wisdom, Stephen Nichols guides us through the life and work of this humble yet heroic pastor, whose example shows that all Christian living flows from God’s grace in the cross of Christ.”
—Justin S. Holcomb, Episcopal Priest; Professor of Christian Thought, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; coauthor, Rid of My Disgrace and Is It My Fault?