Why I'm Done With The Christian Life

Perhaps you may be wondering why I would say that I'm done with the Christian life (which is following suit after Dietrich Bonhoeffer who states as much in the final pages of his "Cost of Discipleship"). I'm a pastor after all and shouldn't say such things...right? Before you start writing to me to compel me to not abandon the faith...please read on.

The reason I'm done with the Christian life is because I've determined not to live the Christian life any longer, but to have my life hidden in Christ. If I live the Christian life it means I have some ethic or guiding principle that seems to be culturally "Christian", but this says nothing about its correlation to the very real life, death and resurrection of Christ. I will not let my life be judged by some "Christian" standard, but by the one who is Faithful and True...who alone bears the judgment of the world. I will not be conformed to Christianity, but to Christ who is the very Image of God. I will not live for Christianity, but for Christ who gave His life for the world and has taken it up again.

I pray that I may cease living a "Christian life" and truly take up the life of Christ crucified and risen. May my baptism be a baptism into Him. May the cup and the bread be his presence and power. May my prayers be taken up into His prayer. May the spirit that dwells in me be His Spirit. May I be found hidden in Christ and crucified to the world. And may I never be only a "Christian" again...

You Are the Light of the World

Listening to audiobook of "Cost of Discipleship" by Bonhoeffer, reminds me why I appreciate his work so much. A particular quote (taken from the Touchstone 1995 edition; pg. 117) that struck me the other day was this one on Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world...":

The call of Jesus makes the disciple community not only the salt but also the light of the world: their activity is visible, as well as perceptible. "Ye are the light." Once again it is not: "You are to be the light" they are already the light because Christ has called them, they are a light which is seen of men, they cannot be otherwise, and if they were it would be a sign that they had not been called. How imossible, how utterly absurd it would be for the disciples--these disciples, such men as these!--to try and become the light of the world! No, they are already the light, and the call has made them so. Nor does Jesus say: "You have the light." The light is not an instrument which has been put into their hands, such as their preaching. It is the disciples themselves. The same Jesus who, speaking of himself, said, "I am the light," says to his followers: "You are the light in your whole existence, provided you remain faithful to your calling. And since you are that light, you can no longer remain hidden, even if you want to."

What are your thoughts about this statement of Jesus? What do you think of Bonhoeffer's reading of the text?

When the "Cost of Discipleship" is Free

I just received notification (and immediately downloaded) the latest freeby audio book from christianaudio.com....Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "Cost of Discipleship" (which just happens to be one of the greatest reads of ALL time in my humble opinion :-).  So if you are interested it should be available for free download the entire month of March.  You will not find another book so powerfully discussing Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.  As a quick disclaimer...I haven't listened to it to hear the reader and I also am not certain what some of the Koine Greek will sound like being read (but it should be wonderful fun).  Also, I'm not certain yet if the critical edition of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works - English (vol. 4 "Discipleship") was used or the popular mass market version...but either way you can't go wrong.  Happy listening!