Angel Puppo

Book Review of Life Together

One of the most influential books I have the honor to read in the sense of ministry. Not so

long ago, I wrote eight classes of membership material for my church, and now I feel like writing

it all again. This book touches aspects of the community that some things will not even come to

mind, and at the title, everyone would think they are dull, but as the point develops, the writer let

us know how so many "insignificant" details are giant steps into a glorious, sanctifying

communion among the body of believers.

Main points

The book develops from the extensive and general into the most intimate and delicate

aspect of relationships with others. "Community" treats our relationship with others from the

very general view the bible gives us. God has brought us together, and it is the one who blesses

this unity we now have with each other. He has shown throughout his word that he is the one that

unites people and the one who scattered them away. Unity in him is a blessing; his word, which

is valid for all people, is the only one that can bring all humanity together in harmony. The

communion that God offers us is a blessing and not weight. We need to see the community

through and in Jesus Christ, which is the head of this union among believers. Jesus Christ is the

redeemer, the union, and the goal in the communion. The second main title is "The Day with

Others" In this point, Bonhoeffer analyzes how communion does not start at the beginning of a

service and finishes at the end, but God has called us to a life of communion and life under the

word of God. At this point, the book analyzes how a person should live in constant praise and

devotion to God and how he can be glorified in all aspects of a day. A significant sub-theme that

the author touches is the psalter. In this point, the author highlights the great importance and
richness there is in the psalter that although many are words that are only to be spoken by Jesus

Christ can also be spoken a lived in us as we are in him. This point helps us see that communion

is our life since we were loved by God and redeemed by Jesus Christ. "The Day Alone" touches

on an aspect that could be a reason for wrong perspectives and expectations in the community. It

touches the subject of solitude which is essential to treat an embrace before communing with

others. It is essential to know that communion is not an escape from ourselves but an opportunity

to live, love, and serve this blessing that God has given us. Then it touches something that I

never thought could be such a profound theme. The importance of silence, It is in silence how we

receive the word, how we are called from God, and how we meditate in his glorious means of

grace for us. The text then turns to "Ministry," and at first sight, some would think it is a section

of tips for the leadership to minister the grey but is an exposition of how everyone in the

congregation is called to minister each other. In this section, we find many different ministries

familiar to us all and are crucial for the health of the communion. Things like holding our

tongue, meekness, listening, helpfulness are steps to end in the proclamation. It is usual that in

ministry, one may jump to this last step, but in this section, we learn how important it is to cover

those aspects that do so much without the spotlight. Furthermore, the last section touches on the

most intimate aspects of communion, which would be the aspect of confession. Here is where

trust is tested and perfected. In confession, we break through pride and accept that we do not live

for our law but God's law.

Important quotations

"Can we, with the Psalmist, call ourselves innocent, devout, and righteous? We dare not

do so in so far as we are ourselves. We cannot declare our virtue as the prayer of our own

perverse heart. But we can and we should do so as a prayer out of the heart of Jesus Christ that
was sinless and clean, out of the innocence of Christ in which he has given us a share by faith. In

so far as 'Christ's blood and righteousness' has become 'our beauty, our glorious dress', we can

and we should pray the psalms of innocence as Christ's prayer for us and gift to us. These

psalms, too, belong to us through him." Although I always loved the psalms, and it was rejoicing

to learn from them, connect to Christ, and study David's humanity and God's holiness, I never

thought I could participate in many of these prayers. The concept of being in Christ is celebrated

and understood, but the depth in which Bonhoeffer exposes it is admirable. A definite

breakthrough on my walk with the Lord.

He who would learn to serve must first learn to think little of himself. Let no man think of

himself more highly than he ought to think' (Rom. 12.3). This is the highest and most profitable

lesson, truly to know and to despise ourselves. To have no opinion of ourselves, and to think

always well and highly of others, is great wisdom and perfection' (Thomas à Kempis). 'Be not

wise in your own conceits' (Rom. 12.16). This is known with our mind, but it is sometimes slow

to drip into our hearts. The way the author treats this subject change my walking, and talking,

and preaching, and helping, and ministering. To no put, ourselves above others in our hearts is

crucial for a healthy communion.

The burden of men was so heavy for God himself that he had to endure the Cross. God

verily bore the burden of men in the body of Jesus Christ. But he bore them as a mother carries

her child, as a shepherd enfolds a lost lamb that has been found. God took men upon himself and

they weighted him to the ground, but God remained with them and they with God. It is sad that at

times we feel worthy of rage, slander, unhelpfulness, and even justified it with holy goals.

Sometimes we quickly forget how much God has to bear us and how much sin he has and

continues to covering in our life. We love to preach about being like Christ, but we focus too
much on that which gets the attention and not on that which is most crucial for the church. God

has given his life for us so we can give our life for others through him.

Concepts Difficult to Understand

A concept that was difficult to understand at the beginning was the importance of silence.

I never thought about this subject, and it never crossed my mind that so much theology could be

found in it. After reading it, a once-in-a-lifetime professional musician has been able to

appreciate the counterpart, silence. It is in silence that we. Were called by God, in silence we

receive his word, and in silence, we meditate on his gloriousness and grace with us. We commit

many mistakes while talking too much, but holding our tongue, even the fool, seems wise. It is in

silence that we show humility and await with open ears to serve others. The other concept was

the next one to silence, which is meditation. Although the author tells us not to be frightened by

this concept, I was frightened. Sadly it is a concept that has been taken by numerous pagan

religions that see meditation as a way to experience false gods. Bonhoeffer explains well the

importance of meditation in Christian life, which is not a mystic experience but a way to

internalize and think through God's word during the day.

Personal Application

The book is a calling for a sanctified relationship with each other through Christ. It a

defiance to our natural understanding and an exposition of unity and love to one another. This

book helps to love and delight in the communion and to see it not as a burden or an obligation

but a blessing. Communion is a place where we can see and receive the love from God and

where we can show that which he has poured on us. It is a place of grace where we learn, and our

walk is corrected. It is a place where we.put our obedience to the test and where we grow from
our relationship with one another. This book helps us to see the communion as a part of our

every moment and a worry to grow in it every day more.