Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship is like reading a blade into your heart where the more you read the more that blade twists, ripping out every bit of pride and arrogance you may have had. When he says being a Christian means being willing to die a martyr in the name of Christ, he not only wrote it, but lived it.
Not too many weeks ago I was able to visit his church in Wroclaw, Poland, (previously Breslau, Germany) seeing his memorial. It is moving and tragic. There is a twofold reason for saying this. Bonhoeffer's grave was never found. He was executed in 1943 at the command of Himmler just a few days prior to his concentration camp being liberated by the Allies. Secondly, and more of a side note, what was once the church he pastored is now a Catholic parish since 1946 when Breslau once again became a part of Poland.
If one wishes to read the firsthand account of a true, living example of what Christianity looks like within the political realm, turn to Bonhoeffer. I respect Wayne Grudem for taking on Politics and give credit to Jim Wallis for trying, but neither succeed, in my opinion, to give a thorough example of the socio-political life for Christians. Bonhoeffer lived it and speaks much to issues we would do well to hear him out on in America today.
Beyond that, his writings a convicting in one's own Chrisitiani life. Do you want to know how to live in this world without being of it? Bonhoeffer is extreme in the sense that we are luctant to place our nationality below our faith, but above all else he is right. Think about your connection to your citizenship in the US; this is how he felt about being German. Now imagine a political figure like Hitler rising up and murdering millions. You would feel betrayed, ashamed, and hopefully provoked to action against that persona and all he/she stood for. Bonhoeffer risked his life urging brothers and sisters to stand against Hitler. This was not popular and it cost him his life.
Today we seek to do good as far as we can comfortably donate. We are not willing to risk our lives so that others may know Christ or to save innocent lives. This is not a blanket statement about all because certainly some are brave enough. But generally speaking, including myself, we are standing idly by complaining about the world's problems hoping others into action, but never taking up the figurative spiritual sword and going into battle against the darkness. We must wake up. We are called to action. To live as a Christian is a battlecry against evil. There is no sacred/secular divide. Everything is sacred.
Fighting against abortion is not enough to be prolife. It begins with conception, but it does not end at birth. The only one who is worthy of claiming to be saved by grace is he who is willing to not only lay down his life for his beloved, but also his enemy. Within Southern Baptist circles, men are failing at missions. In some of the most life threatening nations for missionaries, men are not going. One unnamed country in particular has IMB missionaries consisting of 80% women. Men be ashamed. Your sisters are facing death daily to share the Gospel while you sit at home watching Monday Night Football or college hoops. Be ashamed.
So what are we to do? First of all buy this book and read it. Then read it again. If you are not motivated to action, there is something severely problematic in your walk with Christ. This is not only my challenge to you, but also one I need to heed as well. We can do this. The early church did not shrink in the face of martyrdom, but took joy in being able to take up their crosses and dying in the name of Christ. We are called to be a people of peace, yet a people at war. We are physically peaceful, loving even our most abhorrent enemies whilst also being called to spiritual warfare every single day.
Be liberated through Christ. Take up your cross. Prepare yourselves for war.
Location:Independence, KY
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