Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community

Life Together is principally about Christian fellowship and unity. Over the course of five chapters, author Dietrich Bonhoeffer maps out the purpose and best practices of Christian community. He explains in depth the need for both individual and communal spiritual growth, showing the two to be intertwined and discussing ways of cultivating both. Above all, Bonhoeffer stresses that communal life is a fundamental aspect of faith. While it is not promised to all Christians, it is something that Christians should seek, and for those who have found it, it is something for which to be thankful.

Bonhoeffer is clear regarding the function of Christian community. He writes, “And that also clarifies the goal of Christian community: they meet one another as bringers of the message of salvation” (23). Ultimately, a communal life among other Christians is meant to bring glory to God, in large part by strengthening individuals in their faith. This manifests in various ways: through the principles that Christians heed and the way they treat each other, through the acts of confession and forgiveness that remind the Christian of God’s own forgiveness, and through the transformation each person finds in the eyes of the other. Regarding the latter, Bonhoeffer stresses that community is a way for Christians to view one another the way God views them—i.