Christian Nationalism, Part 2 - Dr. Joel Biermann and Dr. Joel Okamoto

In 'The Cost of Discipleship,' Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenges readers to question their understanding of true discipleship. He distinguishes between 'cheap grace,' which is forgiveness without repentance or commitment, and 'costly grace,' which demands obedience, sacrifice, and a genuine transformation of the believer's life. The book delves into the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the Beatitudes and the righteousness that Christ demands from his followers. Bonhoeffer also highlights the importance of community, forgiveness, and love in the context of Christian discipleship. He argues that true discipleship involves following Christ even in the face of opposition and persecution, and that it requires a radical inward transformation and a commitment to deny self and follow Jesus[1][3][5].

Written between 1661 and 1675 and published posthumously in 1677, *Ethics* is a comprehensive philosophical work divided into five parts. It addresses the nature of God, concluding that God is intrinsic to the universe rather than outside it. The treatise dissects the human mind and body, explores the notion of free will and good and evil, and analyzes the origin and strength of emotions. Spinoza argues that reason is the sole means to achieve virtue and freedom from emotional bondage. The work is characterized by its use of Euclid's step-by-step logical method to prove various propositions[3][5].

In this book, Hunter defines a cultural conflict as 'political and social hostility rooted in different systems of moral understanding.' He argues that the culture war in America revolves around different worldviews and fundamental assumptions about how to order lives, both individually and collectively. The book explores key battlegrounds such as the family, education, media, law, and electoral politics, and how these areas reflect a broader struggle over national identity and moral values. Hunter also discusses how inflammatory rhetoric and the polarization of society can lead to hardened positions and social fragmentation[1][4][5].

In this book, Hauerwas and Willimon argue that the church should not conform to the standards of the world but instead maintain its unique identity as a community of faith. They explore how the church can be a transformative presence in society by living out its values and practices distinctively.