Dietrich Bonhoeffer

OnWatch

Australian Marketplace Connections

Centenary of the Birth of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Bulletin 2006-02

Born 6th February 1906
Executed 9th April 1945

In 1937 Bonhoeffer published the book 'The Cost of Discipleship' (readily available). His writing in this and other works raised questions as to how to be followers of Jesus. The questions he raised are still being struggled with by Christians in many continents. For Bonhoeffer this was not a theoretical debate, but a struggle with life itself.

Adolf Hitler took political power on 30 January 1933 and this thrust Bonhoeffer into a direct struggle with the Nazi attempt to control the Protestant Church of Germany.

Two days after Hitler became Chancellor of the Third Reich, Bonhoeffer gave a radio address which warned of the idolatry of the 'Fuhrer' principle.

It was against this background that Bonhoeffer's theology of discipleship developed. Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our church. We are fighting for costly grace. Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheapjack's wares. The sacraments, forgiveness... are thrown away at cut prices. Grace without price; grace without cost.

For those of us not familiar with the struggles of Martin Luther, who as a monk, found God calling him to leave the cloister - all he knew - and find a new costly way of living the Christian life in the world. It was from this tradition Bonhoeffer spoke of costly grace. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man his only true life. Costly grace is the incarnation of God.

Bonhoeffer also had the ability to put into a few words the deepest things we might dream about. From prison he wrote to his friend Eberhard Bethge: I am still discovering up to this very moment that it is only by living completely in this world that one learns to believe. One must abandon every attempt to make something of oneself, whether to be a saint, a converted sinner or ... a churchman.

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AMC Marketplace Training
Costly Grace

Bonhoeffer was a theologian who understood the marketplace when he stated: "it is only by living completely in the world that one learns to believe". Bonhoeffer carried this belief through to his participation in a conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler. It cost him his life.

Both Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther lived out Jesus commission to take their faith into the world (John 17:18-23).

However to be effective for Christ in the world also requires training and equipping. Accordingly AMC is very pleased to invite readers in Australia to attend an uplifting weekend of training to help you become a great Ambassador for the Kingdom of God in your marketplace.

This training is supplementary to your normal Christian discipleship and specialises in empowering you for the marketplace. Leading-edge trainers will take you on a journey of growth that will change forever your attitude to your daily occupation.

This weekend involves costly grace. It requires giving up part of a long weekend to learn how to serve Jesus more effectively in the place where God has strategically placed you, your daily occupation.

This is a weekend not to be missed:

AMC Bootcamp
March 10-12
Lilydale, Victoria.

Click here for more info and on-line registration.
Click here to download brochure in Word format.
Click here to download brochure in PDF format.
For more info call (03) 9888-5381 or email.

Christianity and Wealth - Part 3

What is the integration we are going to achieve with money issues? Can I enjoy money without loving it? Can I enjoy money without guilt and without being drawn in by it? Are their any guidelines?

Click here for the third article in this series by R. Dwight of the Navigators.

Your Workplace is Your Mission

Notice
Board

OnWatch - Mark 13:37

Being Disciples - grow your faith on-line

Touchdown - Finding fellowship when away from home

Christian Articles relating to the marketplace

Christian Events coming up in the marketplace

Christian Groups operating in the marketplace

Christian Ministries with a marketplace focus

Christian Training organisations with a marketplace focus

Christian Resources in the marketplace