Bonhoeffer on the Christian’s call to action

Finished reading Renate Wind’s biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose life and mind are so complex that they stumble the modern reader attempting to caricature him in either conservative or liberal frames. In contrast to a recent biographical work by Eric Metaxas, Wind’s take has a liberal bent (consistent with the observation that she herself is a female pastor).

There has been criticism lodged at Metaxas for attempting to superimpose the American right-wing agenda on Bonhoeffer’s perceived beliefs on Christian ethics and relationship with government. I also hold reservations on whether Bonhoeffer would consider himself aligned with political conservatism -- if not merely due to the lack of compassion it has often presented itself with in the culture wars.

During the end of his life, he expressed reluctance to lord religion and insert the name of God into all issues (even in cases of Christian encouragement of comfort!) precisely because he wanted to so exalt the name of God and prevent the name from being stained as it was by the Nazi-supported Protestant church. Sounds familiar now with the public’s resentment of prayers offered without the corresponding action. If there has been any action, it’s a Christian university president calling on his students to resort to violence.

Bonhoeffer’s disdain for the church losing her way is reflected in this quote:

“Our church, which over these years has fought only for its self-preservation as though that were an end in itself, is incapable of being the vehicle of the reconciling and redeeming word for human beings and the world. So the former words must become powerless and fall silent, and our being Christians today must consist of two things: in praying and doing what is right among men.”

For Bonhoeffer, prayer and action were two sides of the same coin. He wanted to live and act “as if there were no God,” at least not the God that relieved him of acting. Because if Christians were to start doing those activities of compassion and loving our enemies, we would find ourselves a lot closer to God in desperate prayer.

Soteriology #n: (Guest post) timely reminder during finals

Guest post written by a freshman sister but carries the weightiness of scriptural authority. I am thoroughly rebuked, enjoy:

God did not save us so we could be happy. He did not save us so we could have a community, or help the poor, or go on missions. Those are all good and necessary, but they are secondary. God saved us so we could be holy.

“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” (Ephesians 1:4)

To be holy means we are separate from the world and set apart for God. It means that our desires, joys, and investments must be different from that of the world. The Bible says that true believers of Christ will live differently from the world. But if Jesus came to campus for a week, would he know that we were Christians? I'm not talking about going to church or listening to Hillsong. If Jesus saw the things that bring us joy, the way we entertain ourselves, the things and events that we invest time in, the way we talk, our attitude towards school, the way we treat one another...would he know that we loved and followed him? If we drink like the world, party like the world, complain like the world, flirt like the world, dress like the world...what makes us different from those who aren't saved? If we really are Christians, we don't force ourselves to be holy, but God gives us a desire to be holy because to love Jesus is to obey his commandments. To love Jesus is to find all of our joy in him, and to sell everything else we hold dear for the sake of getting more of Jesus. If our lives are no different from those of our non-Christian friends, we need to be asking ourselves whether we're Christians at all."

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:17-24)

you just can't do that!

Popular artists Meek Mill and Drake have a song called Amen that I recently heard on the radio. Idk if they’re trying to troll real Christians, but it worked!! Very outraged. I’m a friend of God and you cannot diss him or his beautiful bride, the church, like that. He’s a consuming fire and will avenge your words.

Prayin’ for you, ma ninjas.

Why preach the gospel?

So conversations don’t end up like the following:

A: How are you doing spiritually?
B: *pause* Not well.
A: Wsup?
B: Not really doing QTs and praying to God. Been busy.
A: Ok. I’ll pray for you.
B: Yea cool thanks. Wanna see my new iPhone app?

(DA Carson:) D-D-Do you see? The sheer banality of seeing your relationship with God based on performance (and if your Google calendar allows) instead of His grace.

How do I perform well enough to say I’m doing OK spiritually? What’s my pathetic metric? It’s the equivalent of asking “when is God faithful” because it surely isn’t everlasting!

“I’m not doing well spiritually” is like saying “I am less worthy of blessing in these bad times so I’m just waiting for God to deal me punishment…eventually. For now, I’ll fake guiltiness to church people, pay lip service promises, and God will have sympathy.”

Perverted! This “I’ll try harder” mindset. Success in the Christian life is not up to you! Christ’s infinite merit is the substance of the relationship between you and God. and that is very
very
very
freeing.
Now go and make commitments without burdens hanging over your head if you are indeed free.

And that is the gospel.

Jerry Bridges posed most of these challenges and I’m just letting you guys know.