About the Book

Perhaps the hardest thing about following Christ is translating our good intentions into deeds. Christ calls us, and we want to answer him, but time and again we lose resolve. Many of the selections in this book offer answers to specific problems. Others grapple with broader themes such as world suffering, salvation, and the coming of the kingdom of God. All of them pulsate with conviction and compassion, giving fresh hope to those who find themselves lonely or disheartened in the daily effort to follow Christ. Discipleship contains writings, letters, and talks from J. Heinrich Arnold’s forty years of service as a pastor in the Bruderhof Communities.

Book Trailer

Praise

Arnold writes with a refreshing candor and forthrightness. Specifically, he can be downright blunt. Yet this always is shaped by a shepherd’s tough and tender love. …While I wish I had this book as a young man (or Arnold in person!), I’m glad I have it now. Arnold’s writing challenges and encourages young and old alike, beginners and leaders.

Bob Trube, Bob on Books

I have been very impressed with Arnold’s work, and find it thoroughly scriptural and very practical – right down my alley.

Elisabeth Elliot, speaker and author

I pray for all who read this book that they may come to follow Jesus more closely in their whole lives. He has not called us to be successful, but to be faithful.

Mother Teresa

Discipleship is a prophetic book in a time in which few people dare to speak unpopular but truly healing words.

Henri J. M. Nouwen, from the Foreword

I have found Discipleship to be an incisive and inspirational Christian guidebook. It is a clear call to higher religious ideals.

Jimmy Carter, Former President, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

I have not experienced a book like this except when reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Christoph Blumhardt. Arnold sees beyond the present into the wonderful future of God’s kingdom.

Jürgen Moltmann, author, Theology of Hope

Discipleship helps us to understand what spiritual goodness is all about…It provides a mystic nurturing of the soul that translates into action that makes for justice.

Tony Campolo, author, Red Letter Christian

Tablet of Contents

The Disciple

  • The Inner Life
  • Repentance
  • Conversion
  • Faith
  • Dogmatism
  • Commitment
  • the Lower Nature
  • Purity
  • Trust
  • Reverence
  • Surrender
  • Sincerity

The Church

  • The Church
  • Community
  • Leadership
  • Gifts
  • Forgiveness
  • Unity
  • Church Discipline
  • Baptism
  • The Lord’s Supper
  • Love and Marriage
  • Family Life
  • Illness and Death
  • Evil and Darkness
  • The Fight
  • World Suffering
  • Mission

The Kingdom of God