 | Currently Reading The Cost of Discipleship By Dietrich Bonhoeffer see related |
...We think we understand when we hear that obediance is possible onlywhere there is faith. Does not obedience follow faith as good fruitgrows on a good tree? First, faith, then obedience. If by that we meanthat it is faith which justifies, and not the act of obedience, allwell and good, for that is the essential and unexceptionablepresupposition of all that follows. If, however, we make achronological disctinction between faith and obedience, and makeobedience subsequent to faith, we are divorcing the one from the other-- and then we get the practical question, when must obedience begin?Obedience remains separated from faith. From the point of view ofjustification, it is necessary thus to separate them, but we must neverlose sight of their essential unity. For faith is only real when thereis obedience, never without it, and faith only becomes faith in the actof obedience.
-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Comments (1)
Great book, Mark! Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship ranks as one of my all-time favorites! If you get the chance, his Life Together is short - but packed - book on Christian community. Love to hear your thoughts sometime!
Posted by joeyguhguh | August 20, 2004 1:01 AM
Posted on August 20, 2004 01:01