There are so many wonderful statements made by Bonhoeffer in this chapter called "Ministry" that I think I'll just put out several quotes for you to consider:
- Self-justification and judging others go together, as justification by grace and serving others go together.
Under the topic of the "ministry of holding one's tongue," the author says:
- ...it must be a decision rule of every Christian fellowship that each individual is prohibited from saying much that occurs to him. This prohibition does not include the personal word of advice and guidance...But to speak about a brother covertly is forbidden, even under the cloak of help and good will...
- Where this discipline of the tongue is practiced...each individual will make a matchless discovery. He will be able to cease from constantly scrutinizing the other person, judging him, condemning him...Now he can allow the brother to exist as a completely free person, as God made him to be. His view expands and, to his amazement, for the first time he sees, shining above his brethren, the richness of God's creative glory.
- ...God does not will that I should fashion the other person according to the image that seems good to me, that is, in my own image.
- But God creates every man in the likeness of His Son, the Crucified.
The ministry of meekness:
- Only he who lives by the forgiveness of his sin in Jesus Christ will rightly think little of himself.
- If my sinfulness appears to me to be in any way smaller or less detestable in comparison with the sins of others, I am still not recognizing my sinfulness at all...
The ministry of listening:
- ...he who can no longer listen to his brother will soon be no longer listening to God either; he will be doing nothing but prattle in the presence of God too. This is the beginning of the death of the spiritual life...
- ...the ministry of listening has been committed to (Christians) by Him who is Himself the greatest listener...We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.
The ministry of authority:
- Genuine authority realizes that it can exist only in the service of Him who alone has authority.
- Pastoral authority can be attained only by the servant of Jesus who seeks no power of his own.
This is pretty sketchy but profound insights to chew on. Lord, continue to expand our hearts and minds to understand what we can only know in You by Your Spirit. Thank You that You love to work with us! We love You...
Next week we will finish Life Together with chapter 5, "Confession and Communion." Have a blessed week in Him with His family!
I've just begun reading the chapter. I like these words; "All sham was ended in the presence of Christ. The misery of the sinner and the mercy of God - this was the truth of the Gospel in Jesus Christ. It was in this truth that his church was to live." This speaks of an openness among believers, confessing sins to one another, but then instead of judgment from fellow believers, there is mercy.
ReplyDeleteI have a question: does a person need to be repentant(turn away from sin) to receive mercy from God and believers?
This final chapter, for me, starts with a powerful statement: "He who is alone with his sin is utterly alone." I'm struck with the author's approach to the need for confession of sin in the Body of Christ...and it's not only the confession of sin but the listener's statement of God's forgiveness to the one confessing that's so releasing. More than we know, we humans need one another in our growth in God...I love Dietrich Bonhoeffer's perspective on sin and forgiveness and the Body of believers.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to the note by Anonymous, I believe mercy issues from God constantly (and should from believers as well) to all, even the unrepentant; however, I'm not sure if an unrepentant person could have the faith to receive that mercy?? REpentance opens the door for faith...
I haven't seen or experienced much of the kind of community that Bonhoeffer talks about. I believe his writings explain how Christians should be in relationship with one another. I've only experienced ongoing community-type relationships with individual friends, and have not seen it practiced much in groups. The depth of Bonhoeffer's teachings (which are Biblical) have not permeated the church.Why is that?
ReplyDelete