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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 are the two primary things Bonhoeffer discusses in Chapter 5?

2. What did Bonhoeffer say renews the unity of true fellowship in Jesus Christ?

3. Bonhoeffer says that listening to the Word of God is the beginning of:

4. In the context of Chapter 5, what did Bonhoeffer say that Jesus' crucifixion and death on the cross destroys?

5. According to Bonhoeffer, what does silence enable?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the scripture that Bonhoeffer utilized in Chapter 3 to emphasize, one last time, the importance to him of time spent alone?

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

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. While discussing the various ministries, Bonhoeffer states once again that all members of a community experience sin. What did he specifically say, while discussing the ministry of bearing, about bearing with another in sin?

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

7. In Chapter 5, what passage of Scripture did Bonhoeffer recommend examining oneself against when asking forgiveness?

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

9. 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?

10. According to what Bonhoeffer said, what does confession to - and absolution by - a brother confessor provide to an individual?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Perhaps the cornerstone of the ministries Bonhoeffer discussed in Chapter 4 was that of holding one's tongue. James, one of Jesus' disciples, described the tongue and the bad things we can say with it as able to set the entire world on fire. It is so easy, and even fun, to repeat bad things we hear and say bad things we think; however, Bonhoeffer's comments on not doing so hold a great deal of wisdom. Use the text to demonstrate Bonhoeffer's reasons why a person should never speak evil thoughts and why he absolutely forbade his seminarians to say ANYTHING secretly about each other. Then, compare and contrast this rule by which Bonhoeffer governed his seminary with the typical high school student's attitude towards and behavior when it comes to holding one's tongue, not saying bad things, and not saying things secretly about others.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 2, Bonhoeffer speaks at length about the Psalter (the book of Psalms, which he used for a hymnbook in his seminary). Using the text to support your statements, please explain the three things that Bonhoeffer believed could be learned from the Psalter. Then, compare and contrast these three things with the lessons and themes taught in the popular music of today.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 2, Bonhoeffer spends a great deal of time using the times of day and night to illustrate Christ's effect on the world.

1) Using the text, explain and demonstrate the various ways day and night are used to illustrate Christ's effect on the world.

2) Day and night are often used as metaphors. Provide another example of what day and night are commonly used to symbolize.

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