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Life Together
Life Together, originally written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a reflection and rule of life during his time as leader of the illegal seminary of the Confessing Church in Finkenwalde (Eastern Prussia) in the 1930s, is one of the classic texts of twentieth-century spirituality. Since its first publication in German in 1939, it has influenced Christian individuals and communities in their thinking of what it means to live a life before God. First published by SCM Press in 1954, it is now reissued with a Foreword by Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani.
Unknown Binding
Published June 1, 2008
About the author
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
377 books1,894 followersWorks of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Protestant theologian of Germany, concern Christianity in the modern world; for his role in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, people executed him.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer served as a Lutheran pastor. He, also a participant in the movement of Resistance against Nazism and a member, founded the confessing church. Members of the Abwehr, the military intelligence office planned his involvement, which resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent hanging in April 1945 shortly before the end of the war. His secular view influenced very many people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietric...
Dietrich Bonhoeffer served as a Lutheran pastor. He, also a participant in the movement of Resistance against Nazism and a member, founded the confessing church. Members of the Abwehr, the military intelligence office planned his involvement, which resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent hanging in April 1945 shortly before the end of the war. His secular view influenced very many people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietric...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 15, 2026
Having now read the entirety of Bonhoeffer's work and written 100K words on it, I am floored how much of it is just sitting right here in under 100 pages.
December 20, 2025
This is a reread. I was really impressed by the book in my last year as a Protestant, when I began exploring the Orthodox Church. The book is good for Protestants who are seeking to incorporate traditional Christian spiritual disciplines in their lives.
July 18, 2024
BONHOEFFER'S IDEAS ABOUT CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian, as well as a participant in the German Resistance movement against Nazism. He was hung for his part in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. This 1938 book was written at about the same time as his 'The Cost of Discipleship,' but before his 'Ethics,' and his 'Letters & Papers from Prison.'
He states early on, "Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this." (Pg. 21) Christian brotherhood is not an ideal we must realize; rather, it is "a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate." (Pg. 30)
Perceptively, he observes that many people seek fellowship because they are afraid to be alone; because they cannot stand loneliness, they are driven to seek the company of other people. Even Christians are among such people. But he cautions, "Let him who cannot be alone beware of community." This is because "alone you will die and give an account to God. You cannot escape from yourself; for God has singled you out." (Pg. 76-77)
He also advises that there is no sin in thought, word or deed, no matter how personal or secret, "that does not inflict injury upon the whole fellowship. "Every member serves the whole body, either to its health or to its destruction. This is no mere theory; it is a spiritual reality." (Pg. 89) Christians may also have to speak to one another in reproof, on the basis that each knows the other is a sinner, who "is lonely and lost if he is not given help." (Pg. 105-106)
This is perhaps Bonhoeffer's most "accessible" work, and is an engaging introduction to his more "theological" works.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian, as well as a participant in the German Resistance movement against Nazism. He was hung for his part in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. This 1938 book was written at about the same time as his 'The Cost of Discipleship,' but before his 'Ethics,' and his 'Letters & Papers from Prison.'
He states early on, "Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this." (Pg. 21) Christian brotherhood is not an ideal we must realize; rather, it is "a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate." (Pg. 30)
Perceptively, he observes that many people seek fellowship because they are afraid to be alone; because they cannot stand loneliness, they are driven to seek the company of other people. Even Christians are among such people. But he cautions, "Let him who cannot be alone beware of community." This is because "alone you will die and give an account to God. You cannot escape from yourself; for God has singled you out." (Pg. 76-77)
He also advises that there is no sin in thought, word or deed, no matter how personal or secret, "that does not inflict injury upon the whole fellowship. "Every member serves the whole body, either to its health or to its destruction. This is no mere theory; it is a spiritual reality." (Pg. 89) Christians may also have to speak to one another in reproof, on the basis that each knows the other is a sinner, who "is lonely and lost if he is not given help." (Pg. 105-106)
This is perhaps Bonhoeffer's most "accessible" work, and is an engaging introduction to his more "theological" works.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews