STUFF ABOUT GOD AND CHRISTIANITY | Dr. Ron Braley
Our next two heroes were also killed for their faith: John Hus directly and Dietrich Bonhoeffer indirectly.
Hus was an early Reformer who was martyred for challenging the religious system of his time.
By contrast, Bonhoeffer, a discipleship- focused figure, was killed because his Christian convictions compelled him to resist the Nazis, help persecuted Jews and accept the consequences.
Let’s dive into both, beginning with Hus.
John Hus (c. 1372–1415)
“Seek the truth, listen to the truth, learn the truth, love the truth, speak the truth, hold the truth, defend the truth until death.”
Long before the Protestant Reformation, Hus called for the church to return to the authority of Scripture and to pursue integrity rather than corruption. As a preacher in Prague, he boldly challenged abuses among church leaders, earning devoted followers and determined enemies.
Summoned to the Council of Constance under a promise of safe conduct, Hus expected a fair hearing. Instead, he was imprisoned, condemned for heresy and ordered to renounce his teachings.
Refusing to deny what he believed Scripture taught, he was burned at the stake in 1415. His final witness inspired generations of reformers, including Martin Luther, who later acknowledged Hus’ influence.
Hus reminds Christians that truth sometimes demands extraordinary courage, even at great personal cost.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
As Adolf Hitler tightened his grip on Germany, many churches remained silent. But not Bonhoeffer.
A gifted pastor and theologian, he believed that following Christ required more than words—it demanded costly obedience. He helped lead the Confessing Church, which resisted Nazi control of Christianity, and wrote influential books such as “The Cost of Discipleship” and “Life Together.”
Eventually, Bonhoeffer became involved in efforts to oppose Hitler’s regime.
Arrested in 1943, he spent two years in prison, continuing to write letters filled with hope and faith. Just weeks before World War II ended in Europe, he was executed by the Nazis.
Bonhoeffer’s witness continues to challenge Christians to pursue justice, speak the truth and remain faithful even when discipleship carries a high price.
As with Justin Martyr and Perpetua (mentioned in Part One), these heroes of the Christian faith exemplify the cost of discipleship, which may include martyrdom.
I’m reminded of another martyr focused on discipleship, Stephen, one of the Church’s first deacons: “They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ Then, falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ Having said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60).
Next, we’ll meet two early disciple-making heroes: Thomas Aquinas and John of the Cross.
Blessings and peace.
Braley, a Taylor-based minister, Air Force veteran, husband and father, earned a Master of Divinity degree from Regent University in 2018 and a Doctor of Ministry from the same school in 2021.
