Oh man do folks hate this book... and the guy who wrote it.I decided, perhaps against my better judgment, to spend 5 weeks at Marble's Wednesday Worship, preaching and leading post-worship conversation about Bonhoeffer's Life Together. We're doing a chapter a week.
The first week was fine--people were psyched to be doing something that felt like "real theology." A few told me they gave up after the first 2 or 3 pages, but most carried on. Spirits seemed good.
Until this week: the second chapter, "Life with Others." The stridency of the push-back has been stunning. "I hate this book--and this guy," I've heard from more than one person. "There's no room for me in his little world," said another. "Does he ever mention love?... ever?," pleaded another. Another smiled and said: "I liked it... it reminded me of my severe, autocratic German parents" (he's German Swiss).
Ouch.
I have to admit. I hated this book too, the first time I read it. I didn't get it at all. I wondered what the big deal with DB was, anyway. I've since read most of "Letters and Papers" and "Ethics," which are probably richer, more engaging books. Coming back to Life Together, it seems softer, less strident than it did before.
So why read it at all, if I suspected it wouldn't be a universal hit? I guess it's because I'm thinking a lot about practices that order the life of the church. In the world we live in, in which everything is a matter of choice and convenience, there seems to be a counter-rhythm offered by the demanding vision of community, such as that in Life Together. We're not staring down the Nazis anymore and trying to hold fast to our humanity in the face of fascism; but we are trying to hold fast to our humanity in the face of the tyranny of 6 billion "free agents," acting as autonomous actors, unaccountable to one another in our decisions. Maybe a little ordered community wouldn't kill us--at least no faster than we're doing when left to our own devices. And maybe... maybe there's real beauty in order that those of us "free" from such constraints have trouble imagining.
I opened up a facebook page to give people a chance to vent. Hoping that staunches the flow of Bonhoeffer-hating dropouts!
Dietrich, buddy! Am I failing you or vice versa? Could it have hurt to be a little... um... more accommodating? I mean really... NO singing in parts?
I don't know if there are 6 Billion Free Agents, but certainly the culture in the U.S. leads to fragmentation of the community. I'm intrested in the idea of what you are doing. I'm actually quoting DB from chpater 5 of the book in association with focusing on James 5:16 this Sunday. Please post follow ups on how this works out.
ReplyDeleteDiscipline is good in every other aspect(finances, health, etc) so strict spiritual discipline should be good as well. I have to admit I am sorry to have missed the past weeks, and my "life together" book is coming from the library on request. Bonhoeffer must be VERY popular because the library only has 1 copy ;-)that they had to get shipped to my queens library. Anywho, I hope to be able to join the group soon.
ReplyDeleteI really like/respect the book so I'm sorry I wasn't there to back you up. I didn't eat enough and my stomach was grumbling and my head was aching. I will stock up on food next week.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we're doing this book and I'm sad to hear so much push back (I've been hearing it too). The challenge for me is to check my arrogance when I'm tempted to think "You just don't like it because he's questioning your comfortable 'Christian' lifestyle."
Looks like I could use some more spiritual discipline too...