The classic work on faith in community, could be better translated

Bonhoeffer's classic work on faith in community is still relevant and useful today. He has a lot of strong points, such as his approach to talking about things that destroy fellowship and his explanation of why to be thankful for whatever fellowship you have.I bought this book to learn about fellowship and community on a large scale--a level of what that should look like between ministry organizations and churches, and it is the best resource that I've found that isn't written specifically for a local church to the extent that it is hard to use elsewhere. However, this translation of the work is not smooth. There are phrases used such as "wish dreams" (idealistic expectations) that are uncommon and sometimes hard to digest. The word order also tends to be confusing. I found myself having to reread paragraphs in order to get Bonhoeffer's point. I have a feeling that the original German text was better written than this translation, or I'm not sure it would be considered a classic.

Well worth a very good read

I read this book for the pre-membership class at my church and it was well worth reading, even as a non-Lutheran. Bonhoeffer's book shows us how community is a priviledge and a responsibility. It was good for me to read someone from a different era and denomination than myself to help me perceive things from a grander perspective. As C. S. Lewis so rightly pointed out, it is often the older books from different eras and cultures that have different assumptions than we do that prove to be most valuable. This book is a very worthwhile read; it goes beyond the shallow ecumenicism and the "unity" at the expense of truth so popular in our days.^M

Bonhoeffer at his Best

In his 'Ethics' Bonhoeffer wrote near the end of his life that the only book of his that continued to be of great importance to him was 'Life Together'. Anyone who reads it will see why. As far as Bonhoeffer's significance for the daily life of the church goes, this book may be his most important. Herein the reality of community in Christ is made crystal clear in all its demands, cost, joy and glory.^M