Book Review: Bonhoeffer Speaks Today by Mark Devine
August 14, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton
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Dr. Devine begins Bonhoeffer Speaks Today with a
thorough biography of the German theologian’s life. The following four chapters
cover various aspects of Bonhoeffer’s theology. Chapter two address the will of
God and how we know it. Dr. Devine uses the Bonhoeffer’s work to criticize the
contemporary elevation of personal experience to practically the same authority
of Scripture.
In Chapter Three, Dr. Devine expounds on Bonhoeffer’s
doctrine of community. He concludes that we must return to Christ as the center
of our communities, recognize its spiritual existence, and fulfill priesthood
toward one another through confession and brotherhood. In the fourth chapter,
issues of the Christian witness of relevance of the Gospel are addressed to the
point of defending the Gospel against liberal compromise to the culture.
Finally, Dr. Devine reflects on what Bonhoeffer can teach us about freedom,
suffering, and the eternal hope.
Having no previous experience with Bonhoeffer’s work,
I found Bonhoeffer Speaks Today to be an enlightening read. Mark Devine
sticks to issues that are relevant without watering anything down. Perhaps
because Bonhoeffer’s theology is so practical, the book is insightful without
being academically demanding. At no point, however, was there any real
disagreement with the German theologian. This leaves me wondering what might
have been left out of the book. Regardless, I learned much from this book and I
believe it will be useful to every person who picks it up.
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Posted in Book Reviews, Main Page, Roger's Posts
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August 14th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Sorry for being off topic, but I wanted to pass along this article that I thought you might be interested in reading.
Today, I began a series entitled “The Grace Series: Romans 5:1 – 'The Grace of Salvation'” Part I. Here is an excerpt from the middle of the post:
“Today, I want to focus on the first verse in Romans 5. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” Now this word justification is not the first time we see in the book of Romans. We see it a variety of times certainly in chapter 3, “By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight. Being justified is a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:28, “We maintain that man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law.” But when we examine this term, justification, we find that it means literally “to declare innocent or free from any or all guilt.” It is the language of the lawcourt. It's like a lawyer is talking. In salvation terms, it's God declaring, “You're righteous, holy, free, and forgiven.” Now this term does not mean to make righteous because that is what God does in sanctification as His grace is dispensed in our lives. Sanctification is the growing in Christ's likeness. But his term (justification) means to declare righteous and holy. It's not a pardon, but rather and acquittal. “Not guilty! Free from punishment from penalty.” Justification is that gracious act of God whereby he declares a sinner righteous and free from any guilt or punishment upon there putting faith or trust in Jesus Christ. That is what justification means. Christ has paid for our sins; we are free at last!”
I thought you might be interested in reading the article. Let me know what you think about it.