This is what we mean by cheap grace, the grace which amounts to the justification of sin without the justification of the repentant sinner who departs from sin and from whom sin departs. Cheap grace is not the kind of forgiveness of sin which frees us from the toils of sin. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves.
Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without Church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without contrition. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the Cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows Him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.
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 the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of His son: ‘ye were bought at a price,’ and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon His Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered Him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.
–Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
This passage from The Cost of Discipleship I pasted inside the front cover of my Study Bible 17 years ago – not a year goes by without my preaching on it in one form or another. It still takes my breath away because it forces me to acknowledge that all too often I have craved cheap grace and prayed that Jesus would be nothing more than a dispenser of cheap grace.
This really is a superb passage and should be taught in confirmation classes throughout the land.
As someone who named his blog after a major work by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this is my favorite saint day of the year!
I too join in welcoming this posting of a marvelous quote that is vintage Bonhoeffer. In so many ways, this whole civil war within Anlgicanism is over the preaching of cheap grace by the majority of Anglican clerics in the western world. Lord, have mercy upon us.
David Handy+
A prophetic critique of those within the church who would seek to destroy the faith once delivered to the saints.
This passsge from Cost of Discipleship has been lifeblood to me in the past 6 weeks.
Two other passages I have clung with dear life are a quote from Jonathan Aikman’s new biography of John Newton: “From Disgrace to Amazing Grace” that is, “Grace like water always flows to the lowest point.” And the words of Augustus Toplady in his immortal hymn Rock of Ages, ” In my hand no price I bring, only to the Cross I cling.”
Thanks!
“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without Church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without contrition. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the Cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. “I remember that particular passage every time the confession is omitted in the eucharist. When I asked the rector about it, he mumbled something about it being “liturgically correct” during Easter…This after he preached a sermon using the term “cheap grace” during Lent.
We should also not forget the lesser-known martyr who died the same day, Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, head of Abwehr, German Military Intelligence. Not only was he responsible for saving the lives of thousands of Jews, had his secret overtures to Britain been acted on, the war could have ended two years earlier.
For some time now, I have been struggling through [b]Letters & Papers from Prison[/b]. I can’t remember where I first heard the name, [i]Bonhoeffer[/i], but when I saw it on a paperback at a second-hand place, I got it and began reading it at bed time. I have since learned this is not to way to learn about Bonhoeffer. So, I must find a copy of [b]The Cost of Discipleship[/b] and begin a proper study.
Iceworm (#1`0),
Perhaps we all have our own favorite books, but while The Cost of Discipleship remains my favorite by Bonhoeffer, I also am very fond of his little classic, “Life Together,” which may also serve as a marvelous entry into Bonhoeffer’s concerns and writings. His chapter on the importance of confessing your sins in the presence of another disciple (a vital practice that Martin Luther strongly upheld) is truly marvelous.
David Handy+
If you follow the link and directions you will get to a power point that was put together for a talk on preaching that is simply outstanding and it has beaucoup quotes from Life Together as well as a wonderful collection of more Bonhoeffer, Barth and Luther.
Eric (#12),
Ah, what link? I don’t see one,
David Handy+
Sorry!
http://pietist.blogspot.com/2008/03/we-usually-do-not-recognize-devil.html
Egg on my face! Go to the above and follow directions. You go to a educational ministry’s web page And click on David Hansen’s lecture.
Here’s a quote: “We usually do not recognize the devil anyway. We do not find him; Christ finds him. The devil departs from him. Satan waits nowhere so for his prey as where the congregation gathers itself. Nothing is more important to Satan than to hinder Christ’s coming to the congregation. Therefore Christ must be preached.â€