Life Together - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Life Together” is a popular and beautiful exploration of Christian community and its principles. Published in 1939, it emerged from Bonhoeffer’s experiences as the director of an underground seminary known as the Confessing Church in Nazi Germany. Bonheoffer set up this underground community as an alternative and challenge to Germany’s move to set up Nazi youth camps just before World War II.  The book reflects on the importance of community in the Christian faith and offers practical insights into how believers can live and grow together in fellowship.

Key Themes and Ideas:

1. The Foundation of Christian Community: Bonhoeffer’s assertion that Christian community is founded on Christ as God’s Word implies that all interactions, decisions, and activities within the community should reflect Christ’s teachings and example. This means prioritizing love, humility, and selflessness in all relationships. Practically, this could mean starting times together with prayer and Scripture reading, ensuring that Christ remains at the center of communal life. It also means that decisions within the community should be guided by biblical principles and the collective pursuit of God’s kingdom.

    

2. Prayer and Worship: Bonhoeffer’s emphasis on prayer as the “center of Christian fellowship” suggests that prayer should permeate every aspect of community life. This goes beyond simply praying together during meetings; it involves cultivating a lifestyle of what Paul calls “ceaseless prayer”. Communities can establish regular prayer times, encourage members to share prayer requests, and celebrate answered prayers together. By prioritizing prayer, communities invite God’s presence and guidance into their midst, fostering spiritual growth and unity.

    

3. Common Life: Living a shared life entails more than mere proximity; it requires genuine care and concern for one another. Bonhoeffer challenges believers to actively participate in each other’s lives, sharing joys, burdens, and responsibilities. This might involve practical acts of service such as helping with household chores, providing meals for those in need, or offering emotional support during difficult times. Additionally, sharing spiritual insights, struggles, and victories builds intimacy and strengthens the bonds of community.

    

4. Confession and Forgiveness: Bonhoeffer recognizes that conflicts are inevitable within any community. However, he underscores the transformative power of confession and forgiveness in resolving such conflicts and restoring relationships. Communities can create a culture of openness and vulnerability where members feel safe to admit their mistakes and seek reconciliation. This requires humility, empathy, and a willingness to extend grace to one another. By practicing confession and forgiveness, communities model the redemptive love of Christ and experience greater unity and wholeness.

    

5. Service and Humility: Bonhoeffer’s call to serve one another in humility echoes Jesus’ teachings on servant leadership. Communities can cultivate a spirit of humility by encouraging members to prioritize the needs of others above their own. This might involve volunteering for practical tasks, offering to mentor or disciple others, serving together in church or using individual talents and resources to benefit the community as a whole. Embracing humility fosters a culture of mutual respect and appreciation, where each member’s contribution is valued regardless of status or position.

    

6. Isolation and Solitude: While community is essential, Bonhoeffer also acknowledges the value of solitude and individual reflection. He suggests that periods of isolation can deepen one’s relationship with God and enhance their contributions to the community. Communities can support members in cultivating healthy rhythms of solitude and reflection by providing opportunities for personal retreats, silent prayer, or contemplative practices. By honoring the need for both community and solitude, individuals can experience spiritual renewal and contribute more fully to the life of the community.

    

7. The Challenges of Community: Bonhoeffer’s acknowledgment of the challenges inherent in community life serves as a reminder that authentic relationships require effort, patience, and grace. Communities can navigate these challenges by fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and conflict resolution. This may involve implementing communication strategies, establishing clear boundaries, and seeking wise counsel when conflicts arise. By addressing tensions openly and constructively, communities can strengthen their unity and resilience, bearing witness to the reconciling power of God’s love.

    

In essence, Bonhoeffer’s insights provide a blueprint for cultivating vibrant and resilient Christian communities characterized by love, prayer, humility, and mutual support. By applying these principles, believers can experience the richness of life together as they journey toward deeper intimacy with God and one another.

Commonly Quoted Passages:

1. “Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ.” This statement encapsulates Bonhoeffer’s central thesis that true community is founded on Christ.

    

2. “A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses.” Bonhoeffer underscores the importance of prayer in sustaining Christian community.

    

3. “The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.” Bonhoeffer emphasizes the significance of attentive listening in building relationships within the community.

    

4. “Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him.” Bonhoeffer highlights the dangers of isolation and the importance of accountability within the Christian community.

    

5. “The prisoner, the sick person, the Christian in exile sees in the companionship of a fellow Christian a physical sign of the gracious presence of the triune God.” Bonhoeffer underscores the transformative power of Christian fellowship, especially in times of suffering and adversity.