Reflections on Bonhoeffer’s Life Together – 108

Regarding confession one to another, Bonhoeffer notes that there are two dangers that we must be aware of; the first concerns those who hear confession and the second has to do with the motive and attitude of those confessing. He does not think that one person should hear the confessions of everyone else; the person may become overburdened, hearing confession may become routine, and there may be “unholy misuse of confession for the exercise of spiritual tyranny over souls” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, Fortress Press, 2015 (Reader’s Edition), page 95.)

I am particularly sensitive to the latter danger, having seen abuse of position on more than one occasion and having heard and read of it more than I care to think about. Bonhoeffer also counsels that only those who themselves confess their sins to others should hear the confession of others, writing on page 96, “Only those who have been humbled themselves can hear the confession of another without detriment to themselves.”

Perhaps Paul is reminding us of our propensity for self-justification and for comparing ourselves with others when he writes (Galatians 6:1-3), “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” What is the temptation Paul speaks of? While it may be a temptation to engage in the same trespass that another Christian is caught in, I think it may also be the temptation to think ourselves better than others, especially better than the brother or sister caught in the trespass – the latter is the way I read this passage while not denying the possibility of the former.

If I am to hear the confession of a brother I must do so in both the knowledge of the completeness of the Atonement and the knowledge that outside of Christ there is nothing good or righteous within me; the knowledge of the Gospel enables me to speak the Word of Forgiveness to my brother; the knowledge of my own soul outside of Christ enables me to identify with my brother and to not think that I am better, for without Christ I am nothing, I am worse than nothing…I am capable of hideousness – my sins nailed Jesus to the Cross…let me never forget that.

Concerning the person who confesses, Bonhoeffer warns that “For the well-being of their soul they must guard against ever making their confession into a work of piety” (page 96). That is, there is nothing meritorious in confession; as Bonhoeffer writes, “The forgiveness of sins is alone the ground and goal of confession.” He goes so far to write, “Confession understood as a pious work is the devil’s idea.” This is, of course, true of any action that we clothe with the idea of merit, with the trappings of self-justification – a danger which we all (I think) (and which all traditions and practices) must be aware of – we have a propensity to justify ourselves and if we are bitten with actually thinking and living in self-justification then we have been bitten by a viper and our pride will swell and poison will course through our system.  

Bonhoeffer believes that confessing to one another is essential in life together, but he also knows the pitfalls involved in the practice – the dangers are great but so are the rewards – the rewards of living life together in unpretentiousness, at the foot of the Cross, in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ – where we all stand before Christ, and in Christ, as those who once were sinners in rebellion against God, but who are now saints washed by the blood of the Lamb wearing robes of righteousness.

“Worthy are You to take the book and break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with your blood men from every tribe, and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:9 – 10.