Another one from Bonhoeffer’s Letters and Papers from Prison. Towards the end of his life, he was planning on writing a book about “religionless” Christianity, boiled down to its basics without the traditions and ceremony attatched to it. Too bad he never wrote it, although his notes and outline were incredible. I loved this quote from his “Conclusions”:
“The Church is the Church only when it exists for others. To make a start, it should give away all its property to those in need. The clergy must live solely on the free-will offerings of their congregations, or possibly engage in some secular calling. The Church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others. In particular, our own Church will have to take the field against the vices of hubris, power-worship, envy, and humbug, as the roots of all evil. It will have to speak of moderation, purity, trust, loyalty, constancy, patience, discipline, humility, contentment, and modesty. It must not underestimate the importance of human example …. ; it is not abstract argument, but example, that gives its word emphasis and power.”
Peace.