CHEAP GRACE IS THE WORTHLESS GRACE WE BESTOW ON OURSEVLVES WITH OUR CREDAL STATEMENTS

In his book called The Cost of Discipleship, published in 1937, Dietrich Bonhoeffer defined “cheap grace,”

*As preaching forgiveness without requiring repentance,

*As baptism without church discipline.

*As Communion without confession.

*As grace without discipleship,

*As grace without the cross,

*As grace without Jesus Christ.”

Notice what is emphasized in Bonhoeffer’s definition of cheap grace and what is de-emphasized. The emphasis is on the BENEFITS of Christianity without the costs involved; hence, the adjective “cheap” to describe this presumptuous caricature of grace.

Or, even more clearly, it is to hear the gospel preached as follows: “Of course you have sinned, but now everything is forgiven, so you can stay as you are and enjoy the consolations of forgiveness.” The main defect of such a proclamation is that it contains no demand for repentance nor discipleship. In contrast to this, is costly grace:

“Costly grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Jesus. It comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and the humble, non arrogant, contrite heart. It is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him.”