LETTERS -dietrich bonhoeffer was a religious figure in germany in the 1930's and 1940's who was imprisoned for his open opposistion to Hitler and the nazis. the writings that were birthed from his capture, are inspiring to say the least. in some cases, bonhoeffer's writings were considered controversial because they introduced the idea of "religionless christianity." this is a definitely a book that i would recommend the any and everyone to read. bonhoeffer's attitude and courage is something i think we could all use a little more of....here's an excerpt:
"July 18th 1944I wonder how many of our letters have been destroyed in the raids on Munich? Did you get the one containing the two poems (Who Am I? and Christians and Unbelievers)? It was just sent off that evening, and it also contained a few introductory remarks on our theological theme. The poem about Chris tians and Unbelievers embodied an idea you will recognise. "Christians range themselves with God in his suffering; that is what distinguishes them from the heathen." As Jesus asked in Gethsemane," Could ye not watch with me one hour?" That is the exact opposite of what the religious man expects from God. Man is challenged to participate in the sufferings of God at the hands of a godless world.
He must therefore plunge himself into the life of a godless world, without attempting to gloss over its ungodliness with a veneer of religion or try to transfigure it. He must live a 'Worldly" life and so participate in the suffering of God. He may live a worldly life as one emancipated from all false religions and obligations. To be a Christian does not mean to be religious in a particular way, to cultivate some particular form of ascetism (as a sinner, a penitent or a saint), but to he a man. It is not some religious act which makes a Christian what he is, but participation in the suffering of God in the life of the world.
This is metanoia. It is not in the first instance bothering about ones own needs, problems, sins, and fears, but allowing oneseIf to be caught up in the way of Christ, into the Messianic event, and thus fulfilling Isaiah 53. Therefore, " believe in the Gospel or in the words of St John the Baptist `'Behold the lamb of God-that taketh away the sin of the world." (By the way, Jeremias has recently suggested that in Aramaic the word for "lamb" could also mean "servant" - very appropriate , in view of Isaiah 53) This being caught up into the Messianic suffering of God in Jesus Christ takes a variety of forms in the New Testament. It appears in the call to discipleship, in Jesus' table fellowship with sinners, in conversions in the narrower sense of the word (e. g. Zacchaeus) , in the act of the woman who was a sinner (Luke 7), an act which she performed without any specific confession of sin, in the healing of the sick (Matthew 8.17, see above), in Jesus' acceptance of the children. The shepherds, like the wise men, from the cast standing at the crib not as converted sinners, but because they were drawn to the crib, by the star just as they were. The centurion of Capernaum (who does not make any confession of sin) is held up by Jesus as a model of faith,(cf Jairus). Jesus loves the rich young man. The eunuch (Acts 8), Cornelius (Acts 10) are anything but "existences over the abyss." Nathanael is an Israelite without guile (John 1.47). Finally, Joseph of Arimathaea and the women at the tomb. All that is common between them is their participation in the suffering of God in Christ. That is their faith. There is nothing of religious asceticism here. The religious act is always something partial, faith is always something whole involving the whole life. Jesus does not call men to a new religion, but to life. - What is the nature of that life, that participation in the powerlessness of God in the world? More about that next time, I hope.
Just one more point for to-day. When we speak of God in a non-religious way, we must not gloss over the ungodliness of the world, but expose it in a new light. Now that it has come of age, the world is more godless, and perhaps it is for that very reason nearer to God than ever before.
Forgive me putting it all so clumsily and badly... We have to get up nearly every night at 1.30, which is not very good for work like this.
"I was so delighted that stumbling across that notebook the other day led me to re-read that chapter, because it is one that had a significant impact on me at the time, as it is how I live when I am honest, what I know to be true when I am free, what I hear when I listen. When I really listen.
1 John 2:27"As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeitjust as it has taught you, remain in him."
this however, is what has served as my favorite piece from the book...
"It is not some religious act which makes a Christian what he is, but participation in the suffering of God in the life of the world."
i believe that this serves a the perfect definition of dying to oneself. this concept totally blew my mind, and without i doubt, i have embraced "religionless christianity." sorry this was a lot of reading. you should read the book.
cheers,
-dav
