The Collected Sermons of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

by Isabel Best, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Overview

Preaching, according to Bonhoeffer, is like offering an apple to a child. The gospel is proclaimed, but for it to be received as gift depends on whether or not the hearer is in a position to do so. Offered here are thirty-one of Pastor Bonhoeffer's sermons, in new English translations, which he preached at various times of the year and in a variety of different settings. Each is introduced by Bonhoeffer translator Isabel Best who also provides a brief biography of Bonhoeffer. The foreword is by Victoria J. Barnett, general editor of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, English edition, published by Fortress Press, from which these sermons are selected.

In his preaching, Bonhoeffer's strong, personal faiththe foundation for everything he didshines in the darkness of Hitler's Third Reich and in the church struggle against it. Though not overtly political, Bonhoeffer's deep concern for the developments in his world is revealed in his sermons as he seeks to draw the listener into conversation with the promises and claims of the gospela conversation readers today are invited to join.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780800699048
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	07/01/2012
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	673,563
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Isabel Best has contributed translations to a number of volumes in the English language series of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works published by Fortress Press, including Letters and Papers from Prison, Vol. 8 (2009), Berlin: 1932-1933, Vol. 12(2009), London, 1933-1935, Vol. 13 (2007), and Ecumenical, Academic, and Pastoral Work: 1931-1932, Vol. 11 (2012). She was also the translator of Ferdinand Schlingensiepen"s Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906-1945: Martyr, Thinker, Man of Resistance (2010).

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the most significant Protestant theologians of the twentieth century, a legacy sealed by his imprisonment in a German concentration camp and eventual execution. His resistance against Nazism and pivotal role in the Confessing Church movement have been key points of illumination for many on the nature of Christian political witness and action. Millions have been inspired by his rich reflections on the Christian life, especially his beloved works on discipleship and ethics. As a professor, seminary leader, and ecumenical theologian, Bonhoeffer's work also profoundly shaped academic theology, especially systematic theology, and the life of the church.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Editor's Introduction xiii

God Is with Us: Matthew 28:20 1

Waiting at the Door: Revelation 3:20 7

National Memorial Day: Matthew 24:6-14 13

The Promised Land: Genesis 32:24-31; 33:10 23

God Is Love: 1 John 4:16 29

Lazarus and the Rich Man: Luke 16:19-31 33

Risen with Christ: Colossians 3:1-4 41

The Things That Are Above: Colossians 3:1-4 49

Overcoming Fear: Matthew 8:23-27 59

Gideon: God Is My Lord: Judges 6:15-16; 7:2; 8:23 67

The Joy of Ascension: 1 Peter 1:7b-9 75

Who Do You Say That I Am? Matthew 16:13-18 81

Ambassadors for Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:20 87

Turning Back: 2 Corinthians 5:10 95

As a Mother Comforts Her Child: Wisdom 3:3 101

Come, O Rescuer: Luke 21:28 109

My Spirit Rejoices: Luke 1:46-55 115

Beginning with Christ: Luke 9:57-62 123

Repent and Do Not Judge: Luke 13:1-5: 127

Come unto Me: Matthew 11:28-30 133

... and Have Not Love: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 139

What Love Wants: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 147

Must I Be Perfect? 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 155

A Church That Believes, Hopes, and Loves: 1 Corinthians 13:13 161

My Strength Is Made Perfect in Weakness: 2 Corinthians 12:9 167

Lord, Help My Unbelief: Mark 9:23-24 171

Forgiveness: Matthew 18:21-35 177

The Betrayer: Matthew 26:45b-50 185

Loving Our Enemies: Romans 12:l6c-21 193

The Gift of Faith: Mark 9:24 201

Death Is Swallowed Up in Victory: 1 Corinthians 15:55 207

For Further Reading 211

Sources 213