Baptists and Lutherans often define the tension of being in the world, but not in terms of two separate realms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. However, their understanding of these realms and their delicate connection is quite nuanced. Within the Lutheran tradition, the two kingdoms are held in tension, which in turn leads to a precarious interaction of state and church. In the (Ana)Baptist tradition, a much stricter duality is emphasised, resulting in a more radical and separatist stance. 'Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Arnold Koster' analyses and compares the historical development of these two viewpoints, and to discover how these traditions, represented in the lives of two individual followers, responded to the ideological onslaught of neopaganism and the enforced political conformity of the Third Reich. Compared with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, little is known of the Baptist preacher Arnold Koster. His ministry as a pastor of the Baptist church in Vienna lasted from 1928-1960. During the Nazi regime, he consistently preached critically and prophetically against its underlying ideology.

Baptists and Lutherans often define the tension of being in the world, but not in terms of two separate realms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. However, their understanding of these realms and their delicate connection is quite nuanced. Within the Lutheran tradition, the two kingdoms are held in tension, which in turn leads to a precarious interaction of state and church. In the (Ana)Baptist tradition, a much stricter duality is emphasised, resulting in a more radical and separatist stance. 'Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Arnold Koster' analyses and compares the historical development of these two viewpoints, and to discover how these traditions, represented in the lives of two individual followers, responded to the ideological onslaught of neopaganism and the enforced political conformity of the Third Reich. Compared with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, little is known of the Baptist preacher Arnold Koster. His ministry as a pastor of the Baptist church in Vienna lasted from 1928-1960. During the Nazi regime, he consistently preached critically and prophetically against its underlying ideology.

"Foreword by Keith W. Clements Preface 1 Following Jesus 2 Dietrich Bonhoeffer 3 Arnold Koster 4 The World 5 E ngaging with the World 6 The Church 7 Salvation 8 Conclusion Appendices 1 A Fictional Encounter 2 Interviews 3 Koster Source Material Bibliography"

This book is a highly significant study on the concept of Christian discipleship as it was forged in response to the Nazi tyranny. There is no shortage of studies on the stances of the German churches under the Third Reich, a scenario which continues to excite debate and controversy today.