Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy. Dietrich Bonhoeffer More Quotes by Dietrich Bonhoeffer More Quotes From Dietrich Bonhoeffer The future of modern society depends much more on the quiet heroism of the very few who are inspired by God. These few will greatly enjoy the divine inspiration and will be prepared to stand for the dignity of Man and true freedom and to keep the Law of God, even of it means martyrdom or death. Dietrich Bonhoeffer inspiration men mean The Church knows nothing of a sacredness of war. The Church which prays'Our Father'asks God only for peace. Dietrich Bonhoeffer church war father Prayer is the supreme instance of the hidden character of the Christian life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer prayer christian character The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer. Dietrich Bonhoeffer source christian joy We ought not to be in too much of a hurry here to speak piously of God's will and guidance. It is obvious, and it should not be ignored, that it is your own very human wills that are at work here, celebrating their triumph; the course that you are taking at the outset is one that you have chosen for yourselves. Dietrich Bonhoeffer ignored triumph too-much God wants to see human beings, not ghosts who shun the world. . . . Our marriage must be a 'yes' to God's earth. It must strengthen our resolve to do and accomplish something on earth. I fear that Christians who venture to stand on earth on only one leg will stand in heaven on only one leg too. Dietrich Bonhoeffer christian heaven world As God adds his 'Yes' to your 'Yes,' as he confirms your will with his will, and as he allows you, and approves of, your triumph and rejoicing and pride, he makes you at the same time instruments of his will and purpose both for yourselves and for others. In his unfathomable condescension God does add his 'Yes' to yours; but by doing so, he creates out of your love something quite new - the holy estate of matrimony. Dietrich Bonhoeffer triumph pride doe Will not the very moment of great disillusionment with my brother or sister be incomparably wholesome for me becuase it so thoroughly teaches me that both of us can never live by our own words and deeds, but only by that one Word and deed that really binds us together, the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ? The bright day of Christian community dawns wherever the early morning mists of dreamy visions are lifting Dietrich Bonhoeffer christian morning jesus The essence of chastity is not the suppression of lust, but the total orientation of one's life towards a goal. Without such a goal, chastity is bound to become ridiculous. Chastity is the sine qua non of lucidity and concentration. Dietrich Bonhoeffer essence goal lust Certainly one must try everything, but only to become more certain what God's way is. Dietrich Bonhoeffer certain trying way Each morning is a new beginning of our life. Each day is a finished whole. The present day marks the boundary of our cares and concerns. It is long enough to find God or lose Him, to keep faith or fall into disgrace. Dietrich Bonhoeffer new-beginnings morning fall Jesus' commandment never wishes to destroy life, but rather to preserve, strengthen, and heal life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer heal wish jesus Still more pathetic is the total collapse of moral fanaticism. Fanatics think that their single-minded principles qualify them to do battle with the powers of evil; but like a bull they rush at the red cloak instead of the person who is holding it; he exhausts himself and is beaten. He gets entangled in non-essentials and falls into the trap set by cleverer people. Dietrich Bonhoeffer people fall thinking The future and the hope for the middle class church lies in the renewal of its lifeblood, which is only possible if the church succeeds in winning the working class. Dietrich Bonhoeffer winning class lying We are torn out of our own existence and set down in the midst of the holy history of God on earth. There God dealt with us, and there he still deals with us, our needs and our sins, in judgment and grace. Dietrich Bonhoeffer grace earth needs Christ became our Brother in order to help us. Through him our brother has become Christ for us in the power and authority of the commission Christ has given him. Our brother stands before us the sign of the truth and the grace of God. He has been given to us to help us. He hears the confession of our sins in Christ's stead and he forgives our sins in Christ's name. He keeps the secret of our confession as God keeps it. When I go to my brother to confess, I am going to God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer brother names order Human love is directed to the other person for his own sake, spiritual love loves him for Christ's sake. Therefore, human love seeks direct contact with the other person; it loves him not as a free person but as one whom it binds to itself. Dietrich Bonhoeffer spiritual love-is mean In the first place, the church can ask the state whether its actions are legitimate and in accordance with its character as state, i.e., it can throw the state back on its responsibilities. Secondly, it can aid the victims of state action. The church has an unconditional obligation to the victims of any ordering of society, even if they do not belong to the Christian community. The third possibility is not just to bandage the victims under the wheel, but to put a spoke in the wheel itself. Dietrich Bonhoeffer responsibility christian character The way to misuse our possessions is to use them as an insurance against the morrow. Anxiety is always directed to the morrow, whereas goods are in the strictest sense meant to be used only for to-day. Dietrich Bonhoeffer anxiety use way It is only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith. Dietrich Bonhoeffer this-world have-faith world
