Theological Journal – February 12, 2020 What Dietrich Bonhoeffer Would Say to the North American Church (5)

5.       Fifthly, DB would point us to the “theology of the cross” and say “You Gotta Look Good on Wood.” Two contrasts clarify what he means here. DB followed the reformer Martin Luther is stressing the “theology of the cross” over against the “theology of glory.” The difference is nicely captured here:

“A theology of glory … operates on the assumption that what we need is optimistic encouragement, some flattery, some positive thinking, some support to build our self-esteem. Theologically speaking it operates on the assumption that we are not seriously addicted to sin, and that our improvement is both necessary and possible. We need a little boost in our desire to do good works…. But the hallmark of a theology of glory is that it will always consider grace as something of a supplement to whatever is left of human will and power.

“A theology of the cross defines life in terms of giving rather than taking, self-sacrifice rather than self-protection, dying rather than killing. It reorients us away from our natural inclination toward a theology of glory by showing that we win by losing, we triumph through defeat, and we become rich by giving ourselves away. Of course, our inner theologian of glory can be counted on to try to hijack the theology of the cross and make it a new, more reliable scheme for self-improvement. But the theology of the cross happens to us and in spite of us. For the suffering person, this is a word of profound hope” (Theology of glory http://www.christianpost.com/news/theology-of-glory-vs-theology-of-the-cross-78119/#T4QjlHyQ5fx6q9cU.99).

One theologian calls the “theology of the cross” a “not much-loved tradition” (Moltmann) in the church. It’s easy to see why. Yet in this type of thinking Bonhoeffer found the heart of the gospel. In both Jesus and Paul we find the cross becomes the criterion of divine character and action. And that of God’s people as well. This is why DB would admonish us, I believe, to “look good on wood.”

In a devotional reflection “A Sign of Real Church” on Luke 9:23, “If any want to be my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me, Bonhoeffer explains:

“Our cross is already there, ready, from the very beginning; we need only take it up. But to keep us from believing that we must simply choose an arbitrary cross, or simply pick our suffering as we will, Jesus emphasizes that each of us has his or her own cross, ready, appointed, and appropriately measured by God. Each of us is to bear the measure of suffering and rejection specifically appointed for us. And the measure is different for each of us. God deems some worthy of great suffering, and to them he grants the blessing of martyrdom. Others he does not allow to be tempted beyond their strength.

“The cross is not the horrible end of a pious, happy life, but stands rather at the beginning of community with Jesus Christ. Every call of Christ leads to death... death awaits us, namely death in Jesus Christ, the dying away of our old form of being human in Jesus' call... Suffering is the mark of the disciples of Jesus Christ. The disciple is not above the teacher. Discipleship is... having to suffer. Thus did Luther count suffering among the signs of the real church.”

Because of Jesus’ resurrection his cross-shaped way of life was vindicated and validated as God’s way of life in a fallen and hostile world. Our salvation as his followers is to enter in to and participate in precisely that form of life as DB describes above. This sacrificial, other-oriented, self-giving way of life is the very same life we will experience in full throughout eternity but sans any hostility and opposition. God’s love for his world can be made known in no other way!

Bonhoeffer’s corollary to this word might well be the chorus to the hymn “Lift High the Cross”:

“Lift high the cross                                                                                                                                                                 The love of Christ proclaim                                                                                                                                                   Till all the world                                                                                                                                                                     Adore his sacred name.