Adherence to the word of God is how Bonhoeffer defines the cost of discipleship. This book is based on the eight beatitudes and gives in clear terms just what  this man stood for during the time of the Nazi regime. He is clear on the difference of cheap grace...the kind we bestow on ourselves, and costly grace, the kind that costs a man his life. Costly grace is the grace that gives to a man his only true life.

Born  in Breslau in 1906, the son of a German psychiatrist, Bonhoeffer studied in Berlin and in New York City. His mother came for an aristocratic line. Both parents were Christians, cultured and interested in things that matter in life. Bonhoeffer was interested in the beauty of nature, love of family members, and of art and literature.

Theology seemed to be in the blood of Bonhoeffer and he studied to become a learned theologian and minister. He learned early in life that National Socialism was an attempt to make history without God. When Hitler came to power, Bonhoeffer denounced the godless way of life proposed by the Nazis and ran into trouble in Germany. He preached the Gospel day and night and for a time lived in London. Then returning to Germany and without fear for his life, he took up his mission again of preaching and teaching. American friends got him out of Germany for a time, but his heart was with his own in Germany and he soon returned to share the reconstruction of Christian life in his country.

The Gestapo arrested Bonhoeffer on April 5th, 1943, and he was imprisoned in various concentration camps. There he ministered to the sick and to his fellow prisoners.  His teaching and writing on the ways of Christ continued. He was executed on April 9th, 1945, a few days before the camp was liberated by the Allies.

This book gives a series of his writings on the meaning of discipleship and the ways Christ's words meshed into the life of Bonhoeffer, especially the imprisoned Bonhoeffer.

St. Catherine of Bologna (1413-63): March 28