Bonhoeffer Journal #1
Chapter 1
In this week's reading of “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I learned the importance of community. Community is something that is a vital piece for us as Christians to experience and have. God calls us to be in community with one another, he even sends his son to be in community with us. we are to be within a community with fellow Christians and it is a privilege to do so. Bonhoeffer states that “It is not simply to be taken Great for granted another Christian has the privilege of living among other Christians. Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies”. (Bonhoeffer) Here he is explaining the importance of having that community with other Christians and that we are not to take this for granted. When I think about this quote what comes to mind is how in other countries Christians are being persecuted and do not have a safe community as we do here in America. Bonhoeffer is warning us to not take this blessing we have been given for granted.
What does community mean in the context of Christianity? Bonhoeffer states that “Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s word into him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man’s a bear and proclaimer of the divine word of Salvation”. (Bonhoeffer) Here Bonhoeffer is showing that to have community with fellow Christians is need because having the community will help us grow in Christ. But also help us when we are uncertain or become discouraged our community of Christians will pour into us the word of God and the truth that is God, this will then encourage us. It is important to even pour into others as well when they are down or uncertain, we live in a broken world and there will be times when we feel the hurt of this world, the community comes alongside us and guides us through with Gods word. If we didn’t have the community of Christians then when we get uncertain and discouraged where would we go? Now don’t forget that we as Christians always go to God first and we always have Him, and the Holy Spirit with us. God also gave us this community to worship Him together. Bonhoeffer also states that “Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this. Whether to be in a brief, single encounter, or the daily fellowship of years, the Christian community is only this. We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ.”(Bonhoeffer) Bonhoeffer is putting into perspective that Christianity is meant to have fellowship with other believers and to encourage others. This is setting up the community, but we must also remember that this community is only possible because of Jesus Christ and Him coming down to earth to live amongst us humans. A Christian community is one that builds and holds others up when they are struggling but also celebrates with them. We are to be Christ-like and this shows our love to and for others.
