Reading Bonhoeffer on "Community" with Acts 2.42-47
* Lecture notes prepared for a discussion on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's chapter on "Community" in Life Together for a course on Christian Vocation and Community Development ------------------------------------------------- It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful scene than the one described for us at the end of Acts 2: Spirit-birthed togetherness, harmony, devotion to the Scriptures, awe and wonder; gratitude, radical generosity, hospitality, prayer, the breaking of bread, and heart-felt worship. For almost two thousand years, this scene has inspired churches throughout the ages to “get back to its roots”. Is this not ultimately what we all long for, to be in a community like this? It feels strange to read this passage today in our time of social distancing and isolation, and in our age of increasing tribalism. In my church, we flash Acts 2.42-47 up on the big screen each Sunday before the Prayers of the People as a reminder of why we structure our corporate gathering the way...