Theme Study: Commitment & Cost of Discipleship

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By Arthur W. Lindsley on May 18, 2009 ,

Commitment & Cost of Discipleship

Thematic Overview of Discipleship

Jesus’ call to discipleship was radical, demanding a renunciation of all other priorities. Disciples were to give their lives unreservedly to Him. Not only were they to learn from Him, but to come behind, follow, and imitate Him in how they actually lived their lives. They are called to take up their “cross daily” (Luke 9:23) and follow Christ. They are to follow Him regardless of the cost, even if it leads to their death. Jesus is to take priority over all other priorities, even those of family, surrendering all to Him. (Luke 9:57-62). Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount calls disciples to a radical (higher and broader) love, even extending to love of enemies.

In the New Testament there are four primary Greek words that relate to discipleship. The words are: “follow” akolodtheo, “disciple” mathetes, “imitate” mimeomai, and to “come behind” opiso. There are numerous studies in theological word books or on the internet of these words. We will not detail here what you can find there. But one of the most striking themes that emerges from this study is the radical contrast between Jesus’ discipleship and other forms of discipleship during Jesus’ time. . .

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Arthur W. Lindsley

Senior Fellow for Apologetics, CSLI Arthur W. Lindsley is the Vice President of Theological Initiatives at the Institute for Faith, Works, & Economics. He has served at the C.S. Lewis Institute since 1987 both as President until 1998 and currently as Senior Fellows for Apologetics. Formerly, he was director of Educational Ministries at the Ligonier Valley Study Center, and Staff Specialist with the Coalition for Christian Outreach. He is the author of C.S. Lewis's Case for Christ, True Truth, Love: The Ultimate Apologetic, and co-author with R.C. Sproul and John Gerstner of Classical Apologetics, and has written numerous articles on theology, apologetics, C.S. Lewis, and the lives and works of many other authors and teachers. Art earned his M.Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.  

COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.

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