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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. If another's sin is considered to be worse to one's own, Bonhoeffer says that service to the other is not _________.

2. In the context of Chapter 5, what is making a mistake also known as?

3. Bonhoeffer noted two evidences that one's personal time spent in prayer, meditation and intercession had put that person in real contact with the strengthening and purifying power of God. One of the reasons is listed below; indicate it:

4. What did Bonhoeffer call "an ultimate fulfillment of Christ's fellowship at table?"

5. The ministry that requires that one think highly of others and little of oneself to serve them is the ministry of:

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Bonhoeffer call the rules and recommendations he established in Chapter 4 "ministries?"

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

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

4. Why did Bonhoeffer place such importance upon silence during times of solitude?

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

6. When discussing the ministry of proclaiming, what did Bonhoeffer say we ultimately recognize when we see others as being in need of assistance, encouragement, and forgiveness?

7. Likewise, how does Bonhoeffer describe personal prayer in Chapter 3?

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. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bonhoeffer fled to England after his critical 1933 radio broadcast in order to avoid conflict with the Nazi regime. Research what the consequences for disagreeing with or criticizing the Nazis were, then write an essay using this information to explain what the outcome of 'conflict with the Nazi regime' might have spelled for Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Make sure that you cite your references and include a bibliography.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 2, Bonhoeffer spends quite a bit of time explaining his beliefs about the importance of early-morning devotions in the life of his seminary. Using examples from the text, explain:

1) the activities undertaken by the seminary community at dawn during their devotions, then analyze why it--in Bonhoeffer's opinion--would not have been equally effective for these activities to take place at lunch, or just before bed.

2) why Bonhoeffer believed Christians should begin the new day with hymns and the Word of God. Compare and contrast, your own opinion of the peaceful way that Bonhoeffer says this starts the day with the way you start a typical day. Is the way you start your day as peaceful and stress-free as the way in which Bonhoeffer's seminarians start theirs, even though they're in the middle of a war and engaging in activity their government has deemed illegal?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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