And so Bonhoeffer's super-Lutheran modernism saves the day.
Just the fact that he is willing to discuss the "narrow way," the call to "a life of extraordinary quality" puts him in a category of theology we just don't find these days. The mainline/emergents call for action, but often leave us with the impression of God as a mystical and benevolent breeze, a fluffy puppy, or a shimmering rainbow. The Evangelical movement would have us be perfect, while denying that any action is required of us, that God wants us to do more than just "behave" and "be careful." Bonhoeffer, however, like a good modernist, mingles action and perfection in ways that challenge just about everybody. Evangelize and face the enemy unarmed? See weakness in others and refuse to judge them? I feel like if Shane Claiborne and the Southern Baptist Convention had a baby, this is what might emerge:
To be called to a life of extraordinary quality, to live up to it, and yet to be unconscious of it is indeed a narrow way. To confess and testify to the truth as it is in Jesus, and at the same time to love the enemies of that truth, his enemies and ours, and to love them with the infinite love of Jesus Christ, is indeed a narrow way. To believe the promise of Jesus that his followers shall possess the earth, and at the same time to face our enemies unarmed and defenceless, preferring to incur injustice rather than to do wrong ourselves, is indeed a narrow way. To see the weakness and wrong in others, and at the same time refrain from judging them; to deliver the gospel message without casting pearls before swine, is indeed a narrow way.It's humbling, really. What we're called to is a near impossible task. We aren't just called to "accept Jesus into our hearts" and force others to as well. We aren't simply asked to seek justice and peace for people without addressing their imperfection and ours, without pointing them to the God that will redeem these imperfections. Both of these things can be done. Heck, we have mega churches full of people who are very good at doing them. Bonhoeffer's description of discipleship is, however, a bit more daunting. And following this narrow way is a bit like learning to steer a bike or a car without running it off the road (ask my oldest daughter...it's so hard when you're first learning not to end up smashing into the neighbor's car with your Disney Princess bike). You can't focus on your immediate surroundings. You have to look ahead towards the goal...towards the ultimate end:
The way is unutterably hard, and at every moment we are in danger of straying from it. If we regard this way as one we follow in obedience to an external command, if we are afraid of ourselves all the time, it is indeed an impossible way. But if we behold Jesus Christ going on before step by step, we shall not go astray. But if we worry about the dangers that beset us, if we gaze at the road instead of at him who goes before, we are already straying from the path. For he is himself the way, the narrow way and the strait gate. He, and he alone, is our journey's end.
It's like yelling, "Don't look down!" to someone on a terrifying precipice. They know the way is hard and the path is narrow. We have to know that...we can't be delusional or we'll brazenly fall headlong into a gaping abyss. But we can't focus on the narrowness of the way. We can't look down into the darkness, worry about the winds or our sweaty palms or our shaking knees. We have to keep our eyes on the master...adoring, trusting. That's what disciples do. That's how they follow...without hitting the neighbor's car.
