Podcasts about Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What happens when a poet and a theologian decide to write letters to each other about faith? In this episode, I sit down with Christian Wiman and Miroslav Volf to discuss their book Glimmerings and talk about the language we use for God and why it so often falls short, the tension between God's presence and absence, what the Book of Job has to say about suffering, and whether faith can survive, even deepen, without easy answers. It's a conversation about holding paradox, paying attention, and what it looks like to keep believing in the middle of real life.Miroslav Volf is the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School and the founding director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. His books include Exclusion & Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation, winner of the 2002 Grawemeyer Award in Religion. His Gifford Lectures (2025) are titled Amor Mundi: God and the Character of Our Relation to the World.Christian Wiman is the Clement-Muehl Professor of the Arts at Yale Divinity School. He is the author, editor, or translator of fifteen books, including Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair and Hammer Is the Prayer: Selected Poems. His work appears regularly in Harper's, The New Yorker, and Commonweal.Miroslav & Chris' Book:Glimmerings: Letters on Faith Between a Poet and a TheologianChris' Recommendations:The Banquet YearsMiroslav's Recommendation:The Cost of DiscipleshipConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link belowGet Your Sidekick Support the show

A conversation about Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together, with Nick Abraham, a church planter in Ohio, and author of Living Together in Unity, a book interacting with this classic Christian work.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the need to hear for oneself.

Send a textIn this week's episode we discussed Dietrich Bonhoeffer's provocative “Theory of Stupidity,” written during his resistance to the Nazi regime. Drawing from his letters and prison writings, Bonhoeffer argues that stupidity is more dangerous than evil, not a lack of intelligence, but a moral and social failure that spreads in times of power and propaganda. We unpack what he meant, why he believed stupidity thrives under authoritarianism, and how his insights remain strikingly relevant in today's polarized world.Our Links:Retrospect

In this sermon from Genesis 2:25–3:13, we explore the surprising first effect of sin in the Bible: shame.Before violence.Before injustice.Before death.There was hiding.Why does sin immediately lead Adam and Eve to cover themselves? Why do we still hide today? And why is it so hard to even talk about sin?This message unpacks:The difference between sin and sinningThe difference between guilt and shameHow shame traps us in cycles of isolationHow confession breaks the power of shameWhy the cross of Jesus is the only place shame truly diesDrawing from voices like Brené Brown, Curt Thompson, Karl Barth, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this sermon invites us out of hiding and into healing community.If you've ever felt exposed, unworthy, or afraid of being truly known—this message is for you.There is no shame at the foot of the cross. Only forgiveness. Only grace. Only freedom.

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “Before you call the snail a weakling, tie your house to your back and carry it around for a week.”~Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Nigerian novelist “Before pointing fingers make sure your hands are clean.”~Bob Marley (1945-1981), Jamaican singer and songwriter “People get addicted to feeling offended all the time because it gives them a high; being self-righteous and morally superior feels good.”~Mark Manson, author and blogger “We judge people in areas where we're vulnerable to shame, especially picking folks who are doing worse than we're doing. If I feel good about my parenting, I have no interest in judging other people's choices. If I feel good about my body, I don't go around making fun of other people's weight or appearance. We're hard on each other because we're using each other as a launching pad out of our own perceived deficiency.”~Brené Brown, academic, podcaster, and writer “We judge ourselves by our intentions. And others by their actions.”~Stephen Covey (1932-2012), educator, author, businessman “There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who think they are sinners and the sinners who think they are righteous.”~Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), French mathematician and philosopher, in his Pensées (534) “Nothing can damn a man but his own righteousness; nothing can save him but the righteousness of Christ.” “The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation.”~Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), famed London preacher “Self-justification and judging others go together, as justification by grace and serving others go together.”~Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), pastor-theologian executed for his opposition to the NazisSERMON PASSAGERomans 2:1-16 (ESV)Romans 1 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse…. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.Romans 2 1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Modli se a pracuj, staré mnišské heslo. Jak vybalancovat práci a duchovní život křesťana se zamýšlí Dietrich Bonhoeffer v knize Život v obecenství, která je inspirací Modliteb podle Bible. Tento podcast můžete podpořit na https://radio7.cz

"If it were not for the black church, there would be no church in America." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1931) In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Walter Strickland II—professor, author, and teaching pastor—reveals why Dietrich Bonhoeffer said there would be no church in America without the African-American church, and what that means for leaders today.Dr. Walter Strickland II unpacks the biblical foundation for kingdom diversity, explains why lament is the missing spiritual muscle in American Christianity, and shares forgotten stories of African-American church leaders. Discover how bearing each other's burdens and learning from the past can transform your church into the multicultural witness God intended.Key Insights:04:46 - Bonhoeffer's Bold Statement About the Black Church08:35 - Spirit-Led Innovation Means Proclamation + Justice14:10 - Kingdom Diversity vs. DEI: What's the Difference?17:34 - Individualistic vs. Collectivistic: Why We Misunderstand Grief19:32 - Why We Debate Details Instead of Mourning Together21:24 - Daniel 9: Repenting on Behalf of Your Nation22:30 - Notable Leaders in Black Church HistoryResources Mentioned:Website: https://walterstrickland.wordpress.comSwing Low: A Life of Lifting Jesus Higher (Volumes 1 & 2) by Walter R. Strickland IIPlain Theology for Plain People by Charles Octavius Booth (republished by Strickland)Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention (contributor)God So Loved the World: A Blueprint for Kingdom Diversity by Walter R. Strickland IIJuneteenth Documentary featuring Rasool Berry - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmjuDxKTzzgFollow Innovative Church Leaders:Website: https://innovativechurchleaders.org/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeadersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnovativeChurchLeaders/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/innovativechurchleadersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativechurchleadersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovative-church-leaders/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@innovativechurchleadersEric Bryant:Website: https://ericbryant.org/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericbryant777TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericbryant777Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericmichaelbryant/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericbryant/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-bryant-397003172/X: https://x.com/ericbryantPastoral Cohort with N.T. Wright: https://innovativechurchleaders.org/cohort/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-post-christian-podcast/id1509588357Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZeQIrzr2tCMyq1VdwxGNnKingdom diversity isn't optional—it's biblical. Learn how to lead a church that reflects Revelation 7:9. Sign up for practical tools at https://innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us.#ChurchLeadership #KingdomDiversity #Lament #BlackChurch #CulturalDiscernment #MultiEthnicChurch #SpiritLed #BiblicalJustice #ChurchHistory #BlackHistoryMonth

Most churches have got the small group and the Sunday service figured out. But there's a whole layer of community that's gone missing,  and it might be why people keep saying "I don't feel like I belong here."Joel, Stu and Tim dig into Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theology of friendship as an ecclesial category, and why his concentric circles of relationship,  drawn straight from Jesus' own relational model, give churches a practical framework for building community that's expansive instead of cliquey. They also pull in Robin Dunbar's research on the cognitive limits of human relationship, and land somewhere surprising: biology and theology are telling the same story.Plus: e-bikes, convicts, the Industrial Revolution, and why teenagers might actually be ahead of the church on this one.Timestamps05:11 Friendship as an ecclesial category13:14 The 3, the 12, the 72, the 12019:24 Jesus saves us into community24:03 Cultural differences and individualism influencing friendship34:09 The Dunbar number and what friendship brings43:17 Tim's takeaway - How would your relationships at church change if you saw them as friends?Discussed on this episodeThe Lesser of Two Weevils - Master and CommanderWhen Church Was a Family, by Joesph HellermanDunbar's NumberSubscribe, leave a review, and send your thoughts to Joel at joel@shockabsorber.com.au

In 1937, while leading a seminary declared illegal by the Nazis, the German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote one of his most famous books: The Cost of Discipleship. In the book, […]

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian whose life became a lasting witness to Christian discipleship under tyranny. he showed remarkable promise early, earning a doctorate in theology in his twenties. Yet his legacy is defined not only by scholarship, but by conviction.In the 1930s, Bonhoeffer studied and traveled abroad, including time in the United States, where experiences of worship, especially in Harlem deepened his understanding of lived faith. Returning to Germany as Adolf Hitler's regime tightened control, he became an outspoken critic of attempts to reshape Christianity into a tool of nationalism. He aligned with the Confessing Church, resisting Nazi interference and affirming Christ's authority over all political claims. Bonhoeffer would go on to help lead an underground seminary.As Nazi violence escalated, Bonhoeffer became involved in resistance efforts. Arrested in 1943, he continued writing from prison, later gathered as Letters and Papers from Prison, offering profound reflections on suffering and hope. He was executed by hanging on April 9, 1945 at Flossenbürg concentration camp, weeks before the war ended. His life endures as a reminder that true faith is proven not merely by words, but by steadfast, sacrificial love.

In 1937, while leading a seminary declared illegal by the Nazis, the German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote one of his most famous books: The Cost of Discipleship. In the book, […]

A Holy Lent: Discipleship, Confession, and Prayer Book Practices A message to the Diocese of the Rio Grande introducing Lent as a season of wilderness that prepares Christians for Holy Week and Easter by recalling Jesus' temptation in the desert. Drawing from the Ash Wednesday liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer, it explains Lent's purposes: training disciples (including preparing converts for baptism), and restoring those estranged by sin through penitence, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The speaker invites viewers to observe a holy Lent through self-examination and repentance, prayer, fasting and self-denial, and reading and meditating on Scripture. Practical suggestions include joining the diocesan discernment program run by the Commission on Ministry for vocational discernment (lay or ordained), and reading resources such as Living the Sabbath (Norman Wirzba), Reconciliation: Preparing for Confession in the Episcopal Church (Martin Smith) with guidance on both general and private confession, Mary Earle's introduction to the desert mothers, The Calling of the Laity (an anthology compiled by Verna Dozier) on lay vocation, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together. The script also discusses the 1904 fictional short story The Archbishop's Test, which imagines the Church of England canceling programs to focus on fully living the prayer book through the Daily Office, weekly Eucharist, Evensong, and catechism teaching, arguing that deeper prayer renews the Holy Spirit's energy for ministry. Viewers are encouraged to begin Morning and Evening Prayer (or Compline) using the Book of Common Prayer, online resources like Forward Movement, or an app, and to use Lent to deepen faith, confess sins, seek reconciliation, and cultivate silence and solitude. 00:00 Welcome + What Lent Is Really About (Wilderness & Preparation) 00:56 Ash Wednesday in the Book of Common Prayer: The Church's Invitation to a Holy Lent 02:15 Why We Keep Lent: Discipleship Training, Penance, and Reconciliation 03:53 Practical Lenten Plan: Self-Examination, Prayer, Fasting & Scripture 04:23 Go Deeper in Vocation: Diocese of the Rio Grande Discernment Program 05:20 Lenten Reading Picks: Sabbath Rest, Confession, Desert Wisdom & Lay Ministry 09:33 Bonhoeffer for Lent: The Cost of Discipleship & Life Together 12:00 A Prayer Book Reset: ‘The Archbishop's Test' and Returning to the Daily Office 15:47 Final Invitation: Deepen Faith, Confess, Reconcile, and Enter the Wilderness

Today On The Eric Metaxas Show, Eric Metaxas reacts to the Super Bowl and why he believes the halftime show culture has been a slow moral drip on families, shares the hawk and dove story he says felt like a warning, and gives an update from the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty including a tense anti semitism discussion and why the Israel conversation is more complicated than the slogans. He also points listeners to Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a lens for courage, talks about preaching at Kings Church NYC, and shares upcoming Socrates in the City events. Subscribe for clips from The Eric Metaxas Show to hear politics and culture from a Christian perspective.SPONSOR: Honest, fast, and free Medicare plan guidance: https://askchapter.org/⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro6:06 Super Bowl Halftime Critique14:03 Religious Liberty Commission Update18:14 Israel, Anti Semitism, And Clarity29:33 Kings Church And Hebrews- - -TODAY'S SPONSORS:⭐️ BlockTrust IRA: https://www.metaxascrypto.com/✡️ Help Save Lives in Israel TODAY: https://www.savinglifeisrael.org/Legal Help Center - Get Free Legal Help Today: https://www.legalhelpcenter.com/MyPillow — Save BIG with code ERIC: https://www.mypillow.com/ten Boom Coffee— Save 10% with code ERIC: https://tenboom.coffee/

We gaan iets nieuws doen met de Boekenclub! Iedere twee maanden spreekt boekenredacteur Maurice Hoogendoorn met een bekende Nederlander over drie boeken die belangrijk voor hem of haar zijn. Wat raakte hen in een boek? En hoe veranderde dat ene boek hun leven?Gert-Jan Segers, oud-leider van de ChristenUnie, bijt het spits af. Hij is niet alleen een fervent lezer, maar schreef zelf ook meerdere boeken. Na zijn politieke carrière heeft hij weer de pen opgepakt, vertelt hij aan Maurice. Het thema van zijn aankomende roman komt ditmaal dicht bij huis ... Aan Maurice geeft hij alvast een tipje van de sluier.Gert-Jan wist zijn stapel met favoriete boeken terug te brengen tot: 'Stoner' van John Williams, 'Dood van een non' van Maria Rosseels en de biografie van Dietrich Bonhoeffer door Eberhard Bethge. De boeken hebben elk op hun eigen manier een diepe indruk achtergelaten, vertelt hij. Welke snaar raakten deze boeken bij hem? Welke invloed hadden ze op zijn persoonlijk leven? En welke lessen nam hij mee naar de politiek? Je hoort het in deze nieuwe aflevering van de Boekenclub.Wil je nou ook graag meer lezen of samen met anderen lezen? Dat kan! Iedere twee maanden lezen de leden van de Boekenclub samen een boek. Ook meedoen of interesse? Ga dan naar nd.nl/boekenclub en meld je aan! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Si Dios está ahí, la vida tiene sentido. No entendemos por qué pasan las cosas, pero eso lo único que significa es que tenemos una mente limitada. La Biblia nos muestra que nuestra existencia tiene un propósito. Y ese está en la bondad de Dios, aunque no la veamos claramente. Jacobo fue muerto y Pedro liberado de la cárcel (Hechos 12), ¿por qué Dios permite que uno viva y el otro no? No entendemos la Providencia de Dios, pero la muerte no es el fin, como nos recuerda la Hermana Rossetta Tharpe (1915-1973) en el espiritual tradicional americano atribuido a Claude Ely (1922-1978), un predicador y cantautor de Virginia que escribió esta canción, enfermo de tuberculosis. La esperanza de este cántico en que tu cuerpo no quedará en la tumba, cobra especial energía con la guitarra eléctrica de la pionera en unir el góspel al rock´n´roll, tan admirada por Keith RIchards de los Rolling Stones. . Todavía "tenemos hambre y somos perseguidos / luchamos con el dolor / y perdemos la lucha", canta Randy Stonehilll, el músico hippy convertido en la Revolución por Jesús con Larry Norman, que en el año 81 graba ahora de la mano de Terry Scott Taylor, el artista más original del Rock de Jesús, que hizo hace medio siglo la "marciana" banda de Daniel Amos. La honestidad de estos músicos te muestra los claroscuros de la fe. John Gorka es un curioso músico cristiano de folk. Es estadounidense, pero de origen vasco y estuvo relacionado en los 90 con el sello de música instrumental Windham Hill. Su canción "El amor es la cruz que hemos de llevar" (Love Is Our Cross To Bear 1987) habla de cómo seguir a Jesús supone también dolor y sufrimiento. El teólogo luterano ejecutado por los nazis. Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) es considerado un mártir por muchos, aunque él nunca se vio así. Una nueva película ha traído su nombre a la pantalla con el sorprendente título original de “Pastor, espía, asesino” (2024), convertido en España simplemente en “Espía”. Si las producciones del estudio formado por los hermanos mormones Harmon, Angel, no se caracterizan por su gran fidelidad, el filme de Todd Komarnicki traspasa ya todos los límites de falsificación de la historia. Cualquier parecido con la realidad es pura coincidencia. José de Segovia la analiza con el fondo instrumental de la banda sonora original de Antonio Pinto y Gabriel Ferreira, así como la de John Ottman para "Valkiria" (2008), la película que hizo Bryan SInger con Tom Cruise sobre la misma conspiración contra Hitler en la que participó Bonhoeffer. Escuchamos también la canción que hizo para la banda sonora, la cantante cristiana Lauren Daigle (Then I Will), tan fuera de lugar como la historia que ilustra. Muy diferente es la honesta y profunda reflexión sobre la fe que ha hecho siempre el maravilloso músico canadiense Bruce Cockburn, convertido al cristianismo en los años 60, pero especialmente conocido por su militancia política desde los años 80. "Rondando la celda" (Pacing The Cage 1996) nos recuerda los pensamientos que pudo tener Pedro en prisión: "A veces el mejor mapa no puede guiarte / No puedes ver lo que hay al otro lado de la curva / A veces el camino te lleva por lugares oscuros / ¡Estoy cayendo de nuevo, Señor! / ¡Dulce Jesús, escucha cuando llamo tu nombre!".

Legal Docket on sovereign immunity and corporate state agencies, Moneybeat on the Dow hitting 50K, and History Book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's discipline and resistance. Plus, the Monday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donateAdditional support comes from The Master's University, equipping students for lives of faithfulness to The Master, Jesus Christ. masters.eduFrom The Joshua Program at St. Dunstan's Academy in Virginia ... a gap year shaping young men ... through trades, farming, prayer ... stdunstansacademy.orgAnd from WatersEdge. Competitive rates and supporting churches. 4.5% APY on a 13-month term investment. WatersEdge.com/invest

Pastor Jon Verwey Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? — Mark 8:34-37 NIV “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship To bind a Roman citizen is a crime; to flog him is an abomination; to slay him is like killing a relative; to crucify him is—what? There is no fitting word that can possibly describe so horrible a deed. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and the gospel will save it. v. 35 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? vv. 36-37 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. — 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT Jesus alone is worthy of our “everything”—because only He can turn it into something good, beautiful, and lasting. As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. …you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. — 1 Corinthians 11:28 NLT Have I surrendered my life to Him—given Him my “everything”? Do I believe all that we are remembering and proclaiming in communion?

„Písmo je zjeveným Božím slovem pro všechny lidi a pro všechny časy.“ píše německý protestantský teolog Dietrich Bonhoeffer v knize Život v obecenství, která je inspirací stejnojmenné série v Modlitbách podle Bible. Pátý díl nese název Boží slovo ve společenství.Tento podcast můžete podpořit na https://radio7.cz

Weisst du was Jubel mit einem Schafbock zu tun hat? ...das erfährst du in dieser Predigt. Dietrich Bonhoeffer hat einmal gesagt: "Kirche ist nur Kirche, wenn sie für andere da ist. Nicht herrschend, sondern helfend. Die Kirche ist da für die Welt. Für die Leidenden. Die Schuldigen. Die Ausgegrenzten." Aber bevor wir darüber reden, dass wir „Kirche für Andere“ sind und in diese Welt gesendet werden, müssen wir zuerst erleben, dass Jesus zu uns gesendet wurde. Zu dir. Jesus sagte zu ihnen: Friede sei mit euch! Wie mich der Vater gesandt hat, so sende ich euch. Johannes 20,21

Friends, this week we're diving into something that's been eating at me for a while now—how the architects of Christian nationalism have had the audacity to claim Dietrich Bonhoeffer as one of their own. I'm talking about Project 2025 invoking "costly grace" as if Bonhoeffer wasn't writing about them. Here's the thing: when Bonhoeffer penned those famous words in 1937, he wasn't crafting a devotional for suburban book clubs—he was running an illegal seminary under Nazi surveillance, training pastors who were forfeiting their careers, their pensions, and their safety to follow Jesus instead of the Führer. The German Christians of his day fused faith with national identity, blessed political power, and demanded loyalty to a strongman who promised to make their country great again. Sound familiar? The brutal irony is that those who now quote Bonhoeffer are functionally aligned with the very forces he resisted—they're the German Christians quoting the Confessing Church, and that's about as theologically obtuse as Caesar celebrating the cross while forgetting he's the one who put Jesus on it. Costly grace is still available, y'all—it just actually has to cost something. ⁠Read the full essay and subscribe for more at my SubStack, Process This⁠ ⁠You can subscribe to the Audio Essay podcast feed here.⁠ Join us at Theology Beer Camp, October 8-10, in Kansas City!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠UPCOMING ONLINE LENT CLASS: Jesus in Galilee w/ John Dominic Crossan⁠⁠⁠⁠ What can we actually know about Jesus of Nazareth? And, what difference does it make? ⁠⁠⁠⁠This Lenten class ⁠⁠⁠⁠begins where all of Dr. John Dominic Crossan's has work begins: with history. What was actually happening in Galilee in the 20s CE? What did Herod Antipas' transformation of the "Sea of Galilee" into the commercial "Sea of Tiberias" mean for peasant fishing communities? Why did Jesus emerge from John's baptism movement proclaiming God's Rule through parables—and what made that medium so perfectly suited to that message? Only by understanding what Jesus' parables meant then can we wrestle with what they might demand of us now. ⁠⁠⁠⁠The class is donation-based, including 0, so join, get info, and join up here.⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 75,000 other people by joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to follow Jesus when the state is demanding your loyalty—and the church is tempted to comply? Watch the video of this episode on YouTube here. On the 120th anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's birth (February 4th), Russell sits down with Charles Marsh—author of Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—to ask why Bonhoeffer still captivates Christians and what his witness demands from us now. Together, they explore how Bonhoeffer recognized the moral collapse of the German church earlier than most, and why he insisted that confessing Christ's lordship must sometimes give way to concrete, costly action in history. The conversation widens to the pastoral dilemma Bonhoeffer never escaped: when is it enough to proclaim the gospel faithfully, and when must a preacher speak directly to the crisis at hand? Marsh reflects on the tension between shaping consciences slowly and naming injustice plainly, and how Bonhoeffer struck a balance. Marsh ultimately tells the story of his own father, a Mississippi pastor who preached “Amazing Grace for Every Race” at real personal cost, and of figures like Will D. Campbell and Fannie Lou Hamer, whose Christian witness fused tenderness with moral clarity. Their lives, Marsh suggests, reveal that faithfulness may not be loud, but it is never neutral. Resources mentioned in this episode: Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Charles Marsh Brother to a Dragonfly by Will D. Campbell Fannie Lou Hamer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A conversation interacting with Jesus' parable of the talents and preparing us to interact with a compelling vision of Christian community from a 5 talent pastor. Purchase Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Kdo věří, nebude utíkat," jsou slova, která nasměrovala cestu německého teologa Dietricha Bonhoeffera. Dožil se pouhých 39 let - 9. dubna 1945 zahynul v koncentračním táboře ve Flossenbürgu, protože se odmítl smířit s nicneděláním a apatií církve. Jeho životní příběh i některé knihy připomíná při příležitosti 120. výročí jeho narození rozhovor Lucie Endlicherové s učitelem češtiny a obdivovatelem díla tohoto významného teologa Radimem Šupčíkem.Tento podcast můžete podpořit na https://radio7.cz

Peter Zimmerling über den Widerstandskämpfer und sein Vermächtnis zum 120. Geburtstag. (Autor: Ingrid Heinzelmaier)

Heute vor 120 Jahren wurde der evangelische Theologe und Widerstandskämpfer Dietrich Bonhoeffer geboren. Sein Gedicht „Von guten Mächten“ bewegt Autor Rolf Müller bis heute.

Peter Zimmerling über den Widerstandskämpfer und sein Vermächtnis zum 120. Geburtstag. (Autor: Ingrid Heinzelmaier)

Ref.: P. Hubertus Freyberg, Geistlicher Rektor im Tagungshaus Regina Pacis, Leutkirch

In this episode of Heroes of the Holocaust, CJ Burroughs shares the true stories of three Righteous Gentiles who protected Jewish lives. The pastors we'll meet today were spiritual shepherds who refused to stay silent in the face of evil.You'll hear the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor whose faith led him to resist Hitler… and make the ultimate sacrifice.You'll also meet Vladimir Kuna, a pastor in Slovakia who opened his church orphanage to Jewish children whose parents had nowhere else to turn.And finally, we'll travel to France to remember André and Magda Trocmé, whose compassion inspired an entire town to shelter Jewish refugees and protect them from Nazi persecution.These stories remind us that faith is not shown by words alone—but by action, even when doing what's right comes at a cost.To learn more about God's people—from the days of the Bible through the present day—visit The Fellowship's Learn Center.

In this interview I'm joined by Dr. Stephen Haynes to discuss the life, thought, and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We pay special attention to the way he has been co-opted by radically different groups, each seeking to draw on portions of his thought to justify their own ends. Stephen R. Haynes holds a Ph.D. in Religion and Literature from Emory University, the M. Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary, an M. A. from Florida State University, and a B. A. from Vanderbilt University. Professor Haynes has been at Rhodes since 1989 and offers courses on the Holocaust, the Bible and its reception, mass incarceration, and religion and addiction. Read the Book: The Battle for Bonhoeffer: https://amzn.to/46mHAkUWant to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly: https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austinRead my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com/Support the show

This week, Dennis Allan explores the way that practicing Sabbath is a form of active resistance against dehumanizing systems and structures. We're immersed in a culture that values productivity, efficiency, and seems to reward exhaustion, almost like it's a badge of honor. We're told time is money, encouraged to have side hustles, and implored to always remain engaged. Even in times marked by great evil and injustice, figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer teach us that the spiritual practices, things like prayer, Scripture reading, and Sabbath are necessary. If we refuse to rest, if we refuse to practice God's good gift of rest, we're likely to burn out. Jesus, Himself, affirms the goodness and necessity of the Sabbath, and the pattern of Creation teaches us that all of our labor is meant to be an outgrowth of our rest.

Pastor Katie talks about February's pick for Pastor Book Club: The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

====================================================SUSCRIBETEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpffyr-7_zP1x1lS89ByaQ?sub_confirmation=1==================================================== DEVOCIÓN MATUTINA PARA MENORES 2026“HEROES Y VILLANOS”Narrado por: Tatania DanielaDesde: Juliaca, PerúUna cortesía de DR'Ministries y Canaan Seventh-Day Adventist Church22 DE ENEROLAS LUCHAS DEL HÉROE - SEGUNDA PARTE«El Señor ya te ha dicho, oh hombre, en qué consiste lo bueno y qué es lo que él espera de ti: que hagas justicia, que seas fiel y leal y que obedezcas humildemente a tu Dios» (Miqueas 6: 8).Hubo otros como Dohnanyi que vieron las cosas con los mismos ojos. Dietrich Bonhoeffer fue uno de ellos. Bonhoeffer fue un pastor y teólogo que desempeñó un papel clave en la resistencia contra el régimen nazi de Hitler. Además, Bonhoeffer era cuñado de Dohnanyi. La esposa de Dohnanyi era hermana de Bonhoeffer.Es notable el compromiso de Bonhoeffer con la justicia y con los derechos humanos durante un período tan oscuro de la historia. Bonhoeffer defendió activamente a los perseguidos y oprimidos, abogando por los judíos y oponiéndose a las políticas de discriminación racial y persecución. Bonhoeffer también estuvo involucrado en el complot para asesinar a Hitler, arriesgando su vida en nombre de sus convicciones. Finalmente fue arrestado y ejecutado por los nazis en 1945. Su valentía y su lucha por la justicia lo han convertido en un símbolo de resistencia y heroísmo en la lucha contra la opresión y la injusticia.La participación de Dietrich Bonhoeffer en el complot para asesinar a Adolfo Hitler plantea un dilema ético complejo y ha sido objeto de debate durante mucho tiempo. Como pastor y teólogo comprometido con los principios de no violencia y amor al prójimo, su participación en un plan para asesinar a otro ser humano parece contradictoria.Sin embargo, algunos lo defienden al argumentar que tomó esta decisión extrema en un momento de crisis moral, cuando enfrentaba un régimen que cometía atrocidades inimaginables y representaba una amenaza existencial para innumerables vidas. Otros sostienen que su participación en el complot fue un acto de resistencia desesperado y justificado frente a un mal mayor.Bonhoeffer dijo: «Cuando un loco atraviesa las calles en un coche, puedo, como pastor que se encuentra en el lugar, hacer algo más que consolar o enterrar a los atropellados. Debo saltar delante del coche y detenerlo».Es importante considerar el contexto histórico y las circunstancias extremas en las que este personaje tomó esta decisión, así como las complejidades éticas que rodean la resistencia a regímenes totalitarios. Lo que sí podemos apreciar en hombres como Bonhoeffer es que hacer justicia, ser fiel, leal y obedecer humildemente a Dios no tiene que ser solo un versículo de memoria, sino una realidad en nuestra experiencia de vida. 

Why do so many white evangelicals still support Donald Trump—even after all the lies, cruelty, and corruption? It's not because they've been fooled. It's because they've chosen the lie. In this episode, we hear from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian who resisted Hitler and wrote powerfully about the moral danger of what he called folly—a willful, self-protecting ignorance that chooses comfort over truth, and power over integrity. Other call it his Theory of Stupidity.

John reflects on Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount regarding giving in secret. His words weren't just spiritual advice. They were revolutionary. In a world built on reciprocity, status, and public recognition, Jesus offered a radically different way to live—one rooted in gratitude, freedom, and quiet goodness.Drawing on insights from ancient history, lived experience, and wisdom from voices like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this reflection shows how generosity can slowly retrain our hearts. When we practice giving without announcing it, something remarkable happens: we become less impressed with ourselves and less dependent on other people's approval.Over time, generosity becomes second nature. The left hand forgets what the right hand is doing. And goodness begins to feel free.

Listen along as we continue our series through Acts. Notes//Quotes: Text: Acts 20:17-38 - Jack reading Title: Apostolic Goodbyes Slide 1: “The ancient world considered humility a weakness. Whether you were rich or poor, what you prized instead was honour—having your merits recognized and your name praised. Boasting about your achievements was expected in the Greco-Roman world, and one never humbled themselves to others as that would sacrifice your well-earned status. Humility was something for children and slaves, not honourable men and women…All this changed in AD33 when an innocent man believed to be the Son of God submitted to the most humiliating act the Romans could concoct—crucifixion. Jesus relinquished his divine status, Christians believed, dying not for himself but for us—which left onlookers with a dilemma: either Jesus wasn't worthy of honour, or their definition of humility had to change. The definition changed and today you and I see humility not as a weakness but as a virtue.”  —John Dickson Slide 2: “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.”  (2 Cor. 4:2) Slide 3: “Christian brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate. The more clearly we learn to recognize that the ground and strength and promise of all our fellowship is in Jesus Christ alone, the more serenely shall we think of our fellowship and pray and hope for it.”  ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together Slide 4: “We may have said to someone even this week, “Well, as long as you've got your health, that's all that matters,” or “As long as you get your feet over the bed, that's what counts,” or “As long as you're vertical, you know, it's a great day.” Well, of course, we know what we mean by that. But that is not all that matters. For our very frame is a dying frame. We're crumbling even as we go. And unless we're able to say with Paul, “To me, to live is Christ,” we cannot legitimately affirm with Paul, “and to die is gain.” The only way that death can be gain is if Christ is everything. And if Christ is everything, as Paul says it is, then he's able to say, “The ultimate issue is not my life.”  —Alistair Begg Slide 5: “God promised and, in his sacraments, he gave me a sure sign of his grace that Christ's life overcame my death in his death, that his obedience blotted out my sin in his suffering, that his love destroyed my hell in his forsakenness. This sign and promise of my salvation will not lie to me or deceive me. It is God who has promised it, and he cannot lie either in words or in deeds.” He who thus insists and relies on the sacraments will find that his election and predestination will turn out well without his worry and effort.”  —Martin Luther, Fourteen Consolations    

In this episode of the Ephesiology podcast, Andrew, Michael, and Matt are visited again by Mark Thiessen Nation, exploring the profound impact of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life and writings on contemporary Christianity. In this episode, our hosts talk to Mark about the dangers of nationalism within the church. They discuss the importance of robust discipleship, the role of the church in society, and the need for a theopolitical perspective that prioritizes Christ’s teachings over national identity. Mark emphasizes the significance of community, holistic faith, and the challenges faced by Christians today in navigating cultural and political landscapes. Keywords Bonhoeffer, Christianity, nationalism, discipleship, Americanism, church, theology, peace, gospel Takeaways Mark Thiessen Nation emphasizes the importance of understanding Bonhoeffer’s life and work in the context of contemporary issues. Bonhoeffer’s writings provide a framework for understanding the dangers of nationalism in Christianity. Thin Christianity can lead to manipulation by political ideologies, highlighting the need for a robust faith. The church must engage with society while remaining rooted in Christ’s teachings. Discipleship involves a commitment to community and serious theological education. Mark’s academic journey reflects a deep engagement with Bonhoeffer’s thought and its relevance today. The parallels between Germanism and Americanism raise important questions about national identity and faith. Bonhoeffer’s response to the Nazi regime serves as a model for contemporary Christians facing moral dilemmas. A holistic Christian faith integrates worship, community, and social responsibility. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mark Thiessen Nation 02:42 Mark’s Personal Journey and Musical Influences 05:29 The Impact of Bonhoeffer on Mark’s Life 08:25 Exploring Bonhoeffer’s Theology and Pacifism 10:55 Mark’s Academic Journey with Bonhoeffer 13:50 The Rise of Nazism and Its Implications 16:49 Comparing Germanism and Americanism 19:18 Understanding Nazism and Its Context 22:19 The Dangers of Nationalism in Faith 25:22 Conclusion and Reflections on Faith and Politics 29:18 The Church as a Servant in Culture 34:36 Understanding Thin Christianity 40:55 Bonhoeffer’s Vision for Theological Education 49:00 Navigating Americanism and the Gospel 53:05 Polemical Parallels in Faith Connect With Us Follow Ephesiology: Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Follow Andrew Johnson @thediscfan.bsky.social If this episode encouraged you, please leave a review and share it with others exploring missional living in post-Christian contexts. Thanks for doing theology in community with us today! If you have a question or topic that you'd like to hear addressed on the Ephesiology Podcast, just send it to Andrew at thediscfan@gmail.com. Donate Find the podcast on your favorite podcast app Just search for “Ephesiology” Our Podcasters Michael CooperProfessor | Missiologist | AuthorMichael is the missiologist in residence with East West where he focuses on equipping and empowering church leaders in evangelism, discipleship, leadership, and catalyzing church planting movements in the most difficult to reach places on the planet. He is the author of Ephesiology: The Study of the Ephesian Movement as well as many other books and academic articles. He has lectured at universities around the world and serves as affiliate faculty at Kairos University where he facilitates the degree programs in partnership with Ephesiology Master Classes.Andrew JohnsonMinistry Lead, West Village ChurchAndrew is a proud husband, father and pastor who desires all to know the one true King. He is honored to serve at West Village Church in Victoria, BC. Previously, he's ministered in Houston, Chicago, Indy, Flagstaff and Tempe in a variety of church contexts. Andrew has a BA in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University and an MA from Phoenix Seminary. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at Kairos University and is the co-host of the Ephesiology Podcast. When not at work, he's an avid disc golfing, vinyl playing, Spider-Man following/collecting fellow. Go Pacers. Do you enjoy the Ephesiology Podcast? Partner with the Pod The Ephesiology Podcast comes to you from a desire to engage in community conversations about the intersection of theology and culture. We do not believe such dialogue should come with a cost so the podcast will always be free. However, if you've benefited from the Ephesiology Podcast, would you consider a nominal $5 per month donation? All proceeds from the podcast go toward helping bring needed theological education to the majority world through our Ephesiology Master Class initiative to end a theological famine. We'd be honored to partner with you to continue providing solid biblical, theological, and missiological content for listeners around the world. Donate Empowering Future Seminary Professors Imagine a world where passionate, equipped Christian leaders spread God's Word in areas with the greatest need—leaders grounded in both deep theology and practical ministry skills, trained to make a lasting impact in their communities. Through your support, this vision can become a reality for students from countries like Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Nepal, and India who are eager to teach and multiply disciple-makers in their own regions. Learn More Ephesiology: A Study of the Ephesian Movement If you want to understand principles for the growth of Christianity in the first century, the place to begin is the city of Ephesus. In this winsome study, Ephesiology offers readers a comprehensive view of the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the most significant city of the New Testament, and compels us to ask the question: how can we effectively connect Christ to our culture? “Masterfully handling the book of Ephesians and using its content as a definitive guide, Michael Cooper lays a theologically strong foundation that is both corrective and directive to disciple making movements. The principles he gleans from the book of Ephesians and related texts, help to ensure the on-going multiplication and maturation of a movement. Because these are supra-cultural principles, they are applicable anywhere in the world.” Marvin J. Newell, Staff Missiologist, Missio Nexus, Author of Crossing Cultures in Scripture Buy This Now! Educating to Shift the Tracks of History To shift the tracks of history requires leaders who are equipped to critically assess and engage the contours of contemporary culture. As a new initiative in collaboration with the Movement Leaders Collective, Kairos University, and Ephesiology, we deliver just-in-time theological education focused on issues important to you, mxAcademy is designed as the theological and missiological foundation to unlock your potential as a movement leader and catalytic thinker. mxAcademy is a dynamic and innovative educational experience rooted in mDNA.We dream of a church fully equipped, fully mature, fully mobilized, and fully alive. A church that lives and breathes the Good News of Jesus! Learn More Join a Community Conversation at Ephesiology Master Classes Areopagus Symposium Taking its inspiration from the historical and philosophical legacy of Athens, Greece, the Areopagus Symposium focuses on intellectual and philosophical topics related to Christology, missiology, and ecclesiology. We invite scholars, theologians, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds to engage in a profound exploration of the theological landscape at the intersection of these vital disciplines. Sign up for an Ephesiology Master Classes account and gain free access to the Areopagus Symposium. Check it out! The Ephesiology Podcast and Ephesiology Master Classes are ministries of TELOS.GO, a registered 501c3 non-profit agency committed to imaginatively missional ways of engageing culture, church planting, and theological education. Your donation to the podcast is tax deductible.

“When God's Son took on flesh, he truly and bodily took on, out of pure grace, our being, our nature, ourselves. This was the eternal counsel of the triune God. Now we are in him. Where he is, there we are too, in the incarnation, on the cross, and in his resurrection. We belong to him because we are in him. That is why the Scriptures call us the Body of Christ.”— Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is in the Manger, December 30 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and EarthWhat we believe is never neutral. It quietly shapes how we live, what we trust, and who we are becoming.In this opening message of our series on The Apostles' Creed, we slow down and begin where the Christian faith begins—not with ourselves, but with God. Together, we explore the first article of the Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.”Drawing from Acts 17:22–29, this sermon invites us to consider what it truly means to confess God as both Almighty and Father—the One who made all things and yet is near, personal, and present with His people.Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.”This message calls us to take belief seriously—not as abstract ideas, but as a confession that forms our lives.Throughout this series, we'll return to a simple truth:We are formed by what we confess.Whether you're exploring faith or seeking deeper formation, this message invites you to ground your life in the shared confession of the Christian faith.

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“Truth is not something we possess; it is Someone who possesses us.”~Dietrich Bonhoeffer “Christianity is not a set of ideas, but a Person who walks before us and calls us to follow.”~Timothy Keller “To follow Jesus is to discover that life itself has a direction.”~Dallas Willard “Truth is not found in a principle but in a person—Jesus Christ.”~N. T. Wright “The central pronouncement, ‘I am the Way,' is profoundly significant within the chapter as a whole, for it states in so many words what Bunyan knew, that ‘the way' is not what Thomas thought it was, a literal route or pathway, but a Person, Jesus himself. The destination, accordingly, is not a place (not even precisely ‘my Father's house'), but also a Person, the Father himself.”~J. Ramsey Michaels  “The road to heaven runs through the cross.”~Billy Graham “Where is the highway to heaven? Where is the love we all need? Where is the peace we long for? Where is the man who is free?”~ John Denver, “Hold On Tightly”  SERMON PASSAGEJohn 14:1-14 (ESV) 1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

“How are we supposed to be able to help those who are without joy and courage, if we ourselves are not borne by courage and joy? What is meant here is not something made or forced, but something given and free. With God there is joy, and from him it comes down and seizes spirit, soul, and body. And where this joy has seized a person, it reaches out around itself, it pulls others along, it bursts through closed doors. There is a kind of joy that knows nothing at all of the pain, distress, and anxiety of the heart. But it cannot last; it can only numb for a time. The joy of God has gone through the poverty of the manger and the distress of the cross; therefore it is invincible and irrefutable.”— Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is in the Manger, December 28 1 Corinthians 10:1-22

What if joy isn't something you chase—but something you receive? In this Advent message, Pastor Aaron McRae explores the deep, lasting joy that Jesus brings—a joy that is often unexpected, received by faith, and anchored in eternity.Drawing from Luke 2 and the Christmas story, this message reframes joy beyond temporary happiness, success, or comfort. Pastor Aaron contrasts the world's pursuit of happiness with the biblical invitation to joy—one that meets us in brokenness, suffering, uncertainty, and fear. From the unlikely joy announced to shepherds, to reflections from thinkers like C.S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and modern neuroscience, this message shows how true joy is not circumstantial, but relational.This sermon speaks directly to those navigating stress, grief, anxiety, financial pressure, health challenges, or spiritual dryness. It reminds us that Jesus came not only to save what is lost, but to heal what is broken—and His joy is available here and now, regardless of circumstances.If you are searching for meaning beyond happiness, longing for hope this Christmas season, or wondering where to anchor your joy, this message will help you make room for the lasting joy found only in Jesus.Scriptures ReferencedLuke 2:1–14Psalm 16:11Psalm 51:12Galatians 5:22Philippians 4:4–6Psalm 119:14Romans 15:13Hebrews 12:2Resources & References MentionedArthur Brooks — Leadership and Happiness (Harvard Business School)Dietrich Bonhoeffer — Conspiracy and ImprisonmentC.S. Lewis — Mere ChristianityC.S. Lewis — Surprised by JoyFrieson, Wilder, — Living from the Heart Jesus Gave YouSerenity PrayerFor the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel. Stay Connected With Hillside Community Church.Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/HillsideCommunityChurchInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/hillsidechurches/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchesWebsite | https://hillsidechurches.com

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ talks with Dr. Jens Zimmermann about Christian humanism and what it means to understand humanity through Christ.Their conversation explores the dualism that often divides faith and reason, how Neoplatonism shaped Christian thought, and why Bonhoeffer saw the incarnation as the key to recovering a truly human life. Zimmermann examines the limits of modern science and technology, the tension between individual freedom and the common good, and how education can better reflect the embodied, holistic nature of human existence. He also highlights the church's role in embodying the new humanity Christ represents and the value of engaging deeply with philosophy and theology.Whether you're interested in Bonhoeffer, theology, Christian humanism, or the intersection of faith and culture, this discussion offers a rich invitation to think more deeply about what helps—and hinders—human flourishing.Make sure to check out Dr. Zimmermann's book: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christian Humanism

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, host PJ Wehry sits down with Rev. Andrea Ferrari—Reformed pastor, theologian, and author of The Fall and Redemption of Conscience: A Reformed Biblical Theology—to explore one of the most neglected yet foundational topics in Christian thought: the nature of the human conscience. From John Calvin's sensus divinitatis to Thomas Aquinas' intellectual approach to moral reasoning, Rev. Ferrari uncovers how Scripture, church history, and theological tradition shape our understanding of what it means to be human before God.Together, PJ and Rev. Ferrari discuss how conscience functions not merely as a moral calculator but as a spiritual sense, an innate awareness of the presence, judgment, and goodness of God. The conversation ranges from the spiritual senses tradition of the early church and medieval theologians like Bonaventure, to modern debates about whether conscience existed before the Fall, engaging voices like Herman Bavinck, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and John Webster. Along the way, they explore the implications of conscience for everyday moral experience, the universality of moral awareness in Romans 2, and the relationship between law, grace, and the human person in Reformed theology.If you're interested in biblical theology, Christian anthropology, Reformed doctrine, spiritual perception, Calvin vs. Aquinas, or the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and theology, this deep and accessible conversation sheds new light on the heart of what it means to perceive God and respond to Him. A rich and thoughtful dialogue for pastors, scholars, students, and anyone curious about how conscience shapes the Christian life.Make sure to check out Rev. Ferrari's book: The Fall and Redemption of Conscience: A Reformed Biblical Theology

Authoritarianism…For God's Glory? In this episode of the Centering: the Asian American Christian Podcast, hosts Yulee Lee and Daniel Lee are joined by guest Gabriel Jay Catanus (Director of the Filipino American Ministry Initiative and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics at Fuller Seminary; Lead Pastor of Garden City Covenant Church - Chicago), who shares insights on the pitfalls of authoritarianism within church leadership, drawing parallels from historical examples like Dietrich Bonhoeffer's criticism of Nazi Germany and discussing how immigrant church communities can inadvertently foster toxic leadership dynamics. The conversation also highlights the importance of plurality, cultural sensitivity, and self-reflection in cultivating healthy spiritual leadership. The episode concludes with practical advice for leaders to avoid believing their own hype and for communities to focus on collaborative and ethical leadership practices. 00:00 Introduction to Toxic Ministry 00:48 Understanding Authoritarianism in Ministry 03:11 Guest Introduction: Gabriel Jay Catanus 04:49 Authority and Power Dynamics in Churches 08:43 Cultural and Spiritual Influences on Leadership 12:35 Charismatic Authority and Its Challenges 21:02 Navigating Spiritual Power and Leadership 27:24 Muscular Christianity and Nazi Ideology 28:10 Identifying Authoritarian Leaders 29:26 Embracing Plurality in Leadership 31:20 Efficiency vs. Plurality in Ministry 32:18 Challenges for Asian American Leaders 35:59 God's Relationship with Authority 37:13 Personal Reflections on Leadership 46:42 Concluding Thoughts and Future Topics Dr. Gabriel Jay Catanus https://www.gabrieljcatanus.com/ Fuller's Asian American Center aac.fuller.edu The Grand Inquisitor by Dostoevsky https://www.gutenberg.org/files/8578/8578-h/8578-h.htm The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-brothers-karamazov-a-new-translation-by-michael-r-katz-fyodor-dostoevsky/aefeb2fa8f45adb1 Bonhoeffer's 1933 radio address https://books.google.com/books?id=PF1cpVfZS60C&pg=PA268&lpg=PA268&dq#v=onepage&q&f=false If you appreciate the work we do at the Asian American Center at Fuller Seminary, please consider supporting us! Your monetary support sustains our vital work and expands Asian American research, leadership development, and pastoral formation for the Church in the year ahead. Donate here: fuller.edu/giveaac

Dietrich Bonhoeffer escribió desde prisión: “Solo el agradecido puede vivir con alegría, aun en la oscuridad”. La gratitud no es una emoción pasajera; es una postura del alma. Sin embargo, agradecer exige humildad para reconocer que todo lo que somos y tenemos proviene de la gracia. De modo que hoy cierra el mes con un compromiso: vivir agradecido, no solo cuando todo va bien, sino también cuando la fe tiembla. Además, enseña a otros el practicar el “gracias” cotidiano con gestos, servicio y oración. Así pues, quien agradece no acumula, comparte, porque la gratitud continua convierte la vida en adoración perpetua. De modo que, cuando el agradecimiento se vuelve tu manera de vivir, el gozo deja de ser circunstancial y se vuelve una evidencia del Espíritu en ti. Que nuestra vida sea una oración constante que diga: “Gracias, Señor, por todo y en todo”. La Biblia dice en Salmos 103:2: “Bendice, alma mía, a Jehová, y no olvides ninguno de sus beneficios”. (RV1960).

Send us a textWhat if the kingdom of God becomes visible not in our theories but in our steps? Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theology reframes discipleship as embodied obedience—showing up in prisons, sharing real mutuality, and trading religious privilege for humble responsibility. In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with The Rev. Dr. Jenny M. McBride, Associate Rector of All Saints' Atlanta and president of the International Bonhoeffer Society. Jenny shares how reading Bonhoeffer at an urban house of hospitality opened a door from evangelical ideas to lived formation. That path led her into prison classrooms where fashion small talk mingled with raw theological questions, and where “helping” gave way to being helped. They discuss Luke 10's sentness, why belief grows when we go where Jesus intends to go, and how visiting the incarcerated unmasks our craving for superiority. Responsibility becomes the antidote to Christian nationalism's power hunger, and repentance becomes a daily practice that forms courage and tenderness. Listen in for the full conversation.The Rev. Dr. Jennifer M. McBride (Ph.D. University of Virginia) is Associate Rector at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Atlanta. Previously she served as an Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and held the Board of Regents Endowed Chair in Ethics at Wartburg College in Iowa. After a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Religious Practices and Practical Theology at Emory University, McBride directed a theology certificate program for incarcerated women through Emory's Candler School of Theology.McBride is author of You Shall Not Condemn: A Story of Faith and Advocacy on Death Row (Cascade, 2022), Radical Discipleship: A Liturgical Politics of the Gospel (Fortress, 2017), The Church for the World: A Theology of Public Witness (Oxford University Press, 2011), and is co-editor of Bonhoeffer and King: Their Legacies and Import for Christian Social Thought. In addition to book chapters and scholarly articles, her work has appeared in popular publications like The Christian Century and CNN.com and has been featured in the New York Times.McBride is the recent past president of the International Bonhoeffer Society – English Language Section, an organization made up of scholars, religious leaders, and readers of German pastor-theologian and Nazi-resister, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. She serves as co-editor of the T&T Clark book series, New Studies in Bonhoeffer's Theology and Ethics.She is married to Dr. Thomas Fabisiak, who is the co-executive director of the Georgia Coalition for Higher Ed in Prison and Associate Dean at Life University, where he runs a college degree program for women in Georgia prisons. Support the show Follow us on IG and FB at Bishop Rob Wright.

Tucker Carlson recently did an expose on Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who got within a fraction of an inch of assassinating President Donald Trump. Biden's FBI claimed he was a MAGA extremist right-winger with a questionable online digital footprint. However, Tucker questions a lot of the notions you've been fed regarding this would-be assassin. Did Biden's FBI lie about Crooks? Glenn asks the questions that need answers regarding the investigation into Trump's would-be assassin. Glenn discusses his most recent podcast with author Timothy Alberino. Glenn reacts to a recent Tucker Carlson statement on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, addressing his conflicting views on pacifism and the elimination of a grave evil. The ability to have nuanced conversations with people you disagree with is critical for a civilized society. Glenn and Stu discuss the dangers of digital ID after Apple announced a digital ID system made for traveling. Michael Iskander, who portrays David in Amazon's "House of David" series, joins to discuss the elements it takes to be a great leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glenn reacts to a recent Tucker Carlson statement on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, addressing his conflicting views on pacifism and the elimination of a grave evil. Glenn and Stu discuss the dangers of a digital ID after Apple announced a digital ID system made for traveling. Michael Iskander, who portrays David in Amazon's "House of David" series, joins to discuss the elements it takes to be a great leader.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Thursday's Mark Levin Show, there's a cabal of grifters who absolutely lack principles. First, Megyn Kelly questioned whether Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile, claiming he preferred "barely legal" 15-year-old girls who could pass as older, rather than younger children, based on an insider's view. This is disgusting. Then there's Steve Bannon who exchanged hundreds of emails and met at least once with Epstein.  Bannon created videos with Epstein to teach him how to handle hostile press. Why would anyone associate with Epstein? There's newly unsealed federal court documents detail how a 17-year-old homeless girl in Florida allegedly had sex with former Re. Matt Gaetz for $400 to fund braces for her teeth. And lastly there's Tucker Carlson who targeted Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the anti-Nazi Christian evangelist who tried to kill Hitler. It's time to clean up our own house who have a twisted version of American First.  Later, the U.S. healthcare system is the world's best, but some sort of health savings accounts that put more money in people's pockets, enabling them to choose and pay for their own healthcare premiums would be a great idea. Afterward, Gov Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff was indicted on 23 federal counts including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. Finally, will Barack Obama's library feature sections on figures like Mao, Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Marx, and Engels, as well as racist America? To build his library Obama demolished a cherished national landmark—designed by Frederick Law Olmsted for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. It's ironic that Obama protects monuments elsewhere but destroys this historic area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices