The Cost of Discipleship

Costly grace refers to the grace that demands a response, entailing personal sacrifice, moral integrity, and a commitment to following the teachings of Jesus Christ. This term functions as a lens through which Bonhoeffer examines what authentic discipleship entails: the willingness to take up one’s cross and make sacrifices for the sake of one’s beliefs, much like Christ himself.

Discipleship in this work refers to the commitment to follow Jesus Christ both in faith and in action. Bonhoeffer uses the term to explore the depth of commitment required to live out Christian ethics, especially in the face of societal, cultural, or political systems that contradict them. Discipleship, for him, is not a theoretical or merely spiritual endeavor but a tangible, lived experience.

Grace is a theological term that represents God’s unmerited love and favor toward humanity. In the book, Bonhoeffer refines the concept into two types: “cheap” and “costly” grace. Through this distinction, he emphasizes the transformative power of grace when accepted with the commitment to discipleship.

Non-resistance is a choice to remain passive in the face of evil rather than actively fighting it. This patient endurance transforms the evil into a “spent force,” nullifying its impact over time. This form of discipleship is rooted in the crucifixion, a demonstration of suffering love that can transform evil. This principle is rooted in the idea that Christians are in the world but not of the world.

Obedience, in Bonhoeffer’s work, is closely related to discipleship. It refers to the act of following Christ’s teachings and God’s commandments in everyday life. Bonhoeffer places a strong emphasis on obedience as an outward expression of inward grace, criticizing forms of Christianity that focus solely on faith without the corresponding acts of obedience.