Bonhoeffer: Life Together

After over 8 weeks digging into Machen’s book on Liberalism and Christianity, the course for Christianity and Culture has shifted to Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, Life Together.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian who was anti-Nazi. He spoke outwardly against Nazi Germany and went so far as to plot an assassination of the dictator Adolf Hitler. The assassination plot failed, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed in 1945, shortly before World War II concluded.

Bonhoeffer’s works are read and remembered by the present church and much can be learned from his life study and experience.

The first chapter of the book, Life Together, is about Christian community and the blessing that it is. “It is not simply to be taken for granted that the Christian has the privilege of living among other Christians.” (Page 17)

“It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God’s Word and sacrament. Not all Christians receive this blessing. The imprisoned, the sick, the scattered lonely, the proclaimers of the Gospel in heathen lands stand alone. They know that visible fellowship is a blessing.” (Page 18)

The Church in the United States probably does not understand this attitude of gratitude. Gratitude that Christian fellowship is plentiful, spontaneous or planned. That Christians may boldly proclaim the Gospel in all areas of life and not be killed. That Christians may even be known to the public without being imprisoned.

Bonhoeffer understood the cost of being a Christian, and it wasn’t just being the “weird kid” in middle school. It was a matter of protecting the Jewish people because they are heavily oppressed by the German government. They faced genocide, not just oppression. Bonhoeffer understood what it meant to love your neighbor and your enemies.

“The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.” (Page 19) “The measure with which God bestows the gift of visible community is varied…Others are given the gift of common worship on Sundays. Still others have the privilege of living a Christian life in the fellowship of their families.” (Page 21)

No human institution has ever remained. Life changes, people die off and are replaced in institutions. The United States will change one day. Whether it is for the good of the Church or for the bad, it will change. Christians may have to face the stripping of public fellowship and have to go into hiding or secrecy. The protection of religious freedom in this land could be so diminished that Christianity will be outlawed, or the actions of Christians will be outlawed.

But, it is not the United States that gives us our fellowship. “We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ.” (Page 21) Our fellowship comes from the Lord. It is a spiritual and heavenly reality, not one bestowed by a human institution.

The Church in the United States must be ready for such a time, because I have a feeling it will soon be here.