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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the apparent conflict that Chapter 3 raises?

2. What did Bonhoeffer say is a possible downside to listening, serving, and bearing that the ministry of proclaiming can help correct?

3. What expression does Bonhoeffer use to describe the sinner moving forward to another level of community understanding?

4. What did Bonhoeffer say about one's ability to keep one's thoughts on track and focus during meditation?

5. When did Bonhoeffer say that brotherly confession is most effective?

Short Essay Questions

1. As Chapter 3 came to a close, what did Bonhoeffer say about the dimension of solitude and exile he described in community life?

2. In Chapter 3, what did Bonhoeffer say was one of the unhealthy ways to view fellowship? Why?

3. In Chapter 5, what did Bonhoeffer say that each man thinks he has a right to?

4. Thinking back over Chapters 1-3, what was the overarching message of these chapters? (Hint: A clue can be gleaned from the chapter titles).

5. In Chapter 5, what did Bonhoeffer say the confessing Christian gives up by forsaking his sin?

6. What did Bonhoeffer say should be the goal of personal meditation?

7. Finally, how did Bonhoeffer explain intercession in Chapter 3, which was also supposed to take place during a Christian's personal time with God? How much importance did he place on intercession?

8. In presenting the ministry of holding one's tongue, what did Bonhoeffer say was completely removed if evil thoughts were not permitted to be said aloud, and if community members were absolutely banned from saying anything in secret about one another?

9. What, in Bonhoeffer's opinion, did one's learning to allow others to speak the Word of God (i.e. practice the ministry of proclaiming) allow a person to do?

10. What did Bonhoeffer say that confessing sin to a brother enables?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define and explain, supporting with examples from the text, the three elements that Bonhoeffer says (in Chapter 1) define the meaning of Christian brethren in fellowship. In addition to the three elements defining the meaning of Christian brethren in fellowship, Bonhoeffer made, in Chapter 1, two additional claims in faith that are essential to understanding his beliefs about and his interpretation of Christian brotherhood. Using the text to support your statements, define and explain these additional claims about the nature of Christian brotherhood.

Essay Topic 2

Use the text to show how, in Chapter 3, Bonhoeffer resolved the apparent conflict he created between his statement that there is a Scriptural requirement that Christians live alone throughout the world and his discussion of the importance of community life.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Bonhoeffer's belief that Christians should bring peace with his actions in joining a plot to overthrow Hitler and in joining the Resistance movement against the Nazis. Were Bonhoeffer's actions in contradiction with his belief that Christians should bring peace? Why or why not?

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