Book Review: The Cost of Discipleship
Chaplain Evangelism and Discipleship (CHPL 655)
February 27, 2026
Contents
Summary................................................................................................................................1
Critique...................................................................................................................................2
Application.............................................................................................................................4
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................5
Bibliography............................................................................................................................6
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1
Introduction
The Cost of Discipleship (original title: Nachfolge) is a book written in 1937 by a German
theologian named Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This book is considered by many to be an all-time classic
related to Christian thought by one of the most important theologians of the 20th century.
Bonhoeffer wrote this book during Nazi Germany. This book was written primarily to challenge a
church that had largely became passive to the many crimes the Nazi’s committed during the
time. The purpose of this paper is to give an overall summary of The Cost of Discipleship while
also offering a critique and an application in the world today for Christians. This book does a
very good job in highlighting the complex relationship between Christians and the teachings of
Jesus Christ in a world that is not interested in those teachings. Bonhoeffer uses this book to
articulate what the true cost is for Christians to follow Jesus while also challenging Christians to
lead with courage, commitment and humility.
Summary
The book is divided into thirty-two chapters within four unique chapters. The book has
several key themes that are important for the reader to understand. The book’s central idea is
Cheap Grace vs. Costly Grace. Cheap grace is essentially forgiveness without repentance,
baptism without repentance, and communion without confession. This is grace as an
intellectual belief rather than a life-changing commitment to Christ. Costly Grace is when a
person is called to follow Jesus unconditionally. What invokes cost is the need to be obedient to
the teachings of
Jesus which may also bring suffering for the sake of the gospel.
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A second key theme Bonhoeffer describes is the call to Obedience. The author emphasizes
that true faith goes beyond belief but also turns into action. To be a true follower of Jesus
Christ, one must be willing to obey His teachings, trusting in Him even when you are suffering
and surrendering personal ambitions in the name of Christ.
A third key theme of this book is the Sermon on the Mount preached by Jesus in Matthew
57. Bonhoeffer devotes a large section of the book to this sermon. He primarily does this to
show that this famous sermon by Jesus is not simply symbolic ideas, but instead to show that
they are true and authentic commands that are meant to be followed by all believers.
Bonhoeffer addresses loving enemies, humility, purity of heart, non-retaliation, and
truthfulness.
A fourth key theme deals with the visible church. Bonhoeffer explains that the church must
differentiate itself from society. As this book was written in Nazi, Germany, Bonhoeffer explains
that churches should not be compromised with those who are power politically. A true Christian
community reflects the image of Christ, even at great personal and physical cost. A fifth and
final key theme is suffering in relation to the cross. Bonhoeffer explains that true discipleship
involves sharing in the same suffering that Christ and His disciples took. Bonhoeffer reminds the
reader that suffering is not something accidental or coincidental, but instead, a part of the
Christian life. Overall, the book is a very real reminder that the Christian lifestyle should not be
simple or easy but should be uncomfortable amid a world that hates Christ.
3
Critique
Bonhoeffer wrote a very good book that dived into several deep and interesting topics. The
very powerful concept of Costly Grace vs Cheap Grace is one of the best highlights of the entire
book. Bonhoeffer explains why this makes Christianity complacent in many different aspects.
Bonhoeffer also challenges the reader directly to examine whether the faith they have as
Christians has truly transformed their minds and how they live as Christians. This is a good
method for engaging the reader for several reasons. Too many Christian books today attempt to
make the reader feel good and happy. That is not the main goal of Christianity; to make people
happy. Christians are called to be holy and set apart in this present world. Bonhoeffer does a
fantastic job of challenging the reader to understand that Christianity is not something that
should make you fit in with the world. If you find yourself fitting into the world as a Christian, it
may be time for you to re-examine yourself as a follower of Christ.
Another strength of the book is the seriousness of which Bonhoeffer gives the teachings of
Jesus. Bonhoeffer makes it clear that Jesus meant everything that He said. Bonhoeffer brings
special attention to the sermon on the mount as mentioned previously. Bonhoeffer takes the
scriptures seriously as he does not shy away from more difficult passages of scripture. By doing
this, Bonhoeffer attempts to bridge the gap between simple belief into action, and he does a
good job of doing this. Interpreting the scriptures into concrete action instead of belief is
important because it presents Christianity as a livable and breathable reality, not just abstract
doctrine that isn’t applicable to everyday Christians. Many Christians find certain parts of the
Bible to be abstract and sometimes “not applicable” to them in certain ways. Bonhoeffer does a
fantastic job of showing how important it for Christians to truly understand how Jesus’
teachings apply to them within their everyday lives.
4
While the book is very good in many respects, there are some things which could have been
improved or expanded upon. The concept of “cheap grace” could be considered too simplistic
by some theologians. The narrative of “cheap grace vs. costly grace” is very effective, however,
it could be interpreted as too simplistic by today’s standards. Some could use this framework to
suggest that most Christian churches in the world today are spiritually compromised. The
concept of the two graces doesn’t expound upon the realities that many pastors and ministers
face in the world today. This includes areas such as spiritual weakness, spiritual growth, and
gradual sanctification among new believers. A section of the book devoted to some of these
topics for leaders within the church may have been good for Bonhoeffer to explore. Bonhoeffer
also could have talked about false faith and made a distinction between false and real faith in
the world of Christianity.
Bonhoeffer takes a very realistic approach to the Sermon on the Mount given by Jesus in
Matthew 5-7. Some critics would argue that radical non-resistance and absolute truthfulness
should not be applied without nuance. Bonhoeffer could have perhaps spoken on more
nuanced topics related to the complexities related to government, law enforcement, and wars.
One could also point out that Bonhoeffer himself later participated in resistance against the
tyrannical Nazi government of Germany, which would result in his death from his involvement
in the conspiracy against Adolf Hitler. One could use this to raise questions about what
Bonhoeffer spoke of in relation to pacifism vs. the resistance against Hitler that ultimately
culminated with his death before the end of WWII. Bonhoeffer wrote this book about six years
before his death, so perhaps he would have had a change of heart related to aspects of non-
resistance that he speaks of in the book.
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Application
As a future military chaplain, it is my duty to live a life of holiness and humility that reflects
the goodness and kindness of God. Even If there are Soldiers in my unit who are not Christians, I
am still responsible for living a life that reflects the true heart and Character of God. This book is
a reminder that the Christian lifestyle is not an easy one to live, even when things are difficult
for someone in the uniform of the US. Military. This means it is important for me to speak out,
even if its against leadership. Bonhoeffer ultimately gave his life up in defiance against the Nazi
regime. As a Christian who wears the uniform in charge of defending this nation from threats, I
must be willing to put my life on the line just as Bonhoeffer did. My goal is to be honest with my
Soldiers regarding true authentic Christianity and not downplay the cost of being a disciple in
the world today.
Conclusion
Bonhoeffer writes a book that does a great job exploring the true cost of being a Christian.
Even though this book was written in 1939, during the height of the Nazi regime, this book still
has applicable meaning in the world today. There is a true cost to following Christ, and it is not
an easy endeavor at all. The Christian walk does require true courage and commitment to
follow. The teachings of Jesus were not just saying to make a person feel good about
themselves, Jesus meant what He spoke and intended for His followers to abide by what He
spoke of. All
Christians are called to live just how Jesus lived, and to be an example for the rest of the world
to follow. This book is recommended to any Christian who seeks to make a larger impact in the
world today through the lives they live for Jesus Christ.
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Bibliography
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. First Touchstone edition. New York:
Touchstone, 1995.
