Bonhoeffer - civil disobedience

Question 1

how did Bonhoeffer die?

Answer 1

he was hanged in 1945 for smuggling Jewish people to Switzerland and for alleged involvement in an assassination attempt on Hitler.

Question 2

why did Bonhoeffer return to Germany?

Answer 2

he returned in order to live in solidarity with the German people in a time of political crisis.

Question 3

define solidarity

Answer 3

unanimity and unity, standing with people

Question 4

what is civil disobedience?

Answer 4

rebelling against laws of the state which are considered unjust in an act of protest

Question 5

Christianity’s relationship with the state

Answer 5

recognised as the official religion

Question 6

explain historical establishment of the church

Answer 6

In Europe during the reign of the Holy Roman Emperor there was a divine right to rule which linked the authority of the church to the state. There’s a political doctrine of ‘divine right of kings’

Question 7

Luthers view on power of the Church

Answer 7

-believed disobeying the church can be necessary to live an authentic Christian life
-disagreed with abuse of RC

Question 8

an example of Luther disobeying the church

Answer 8

He sparked the protestant reformation by nailing a copy of his 95 theses, which opposed the RC usage of indulgences, on the church door of the Wittenberg castle church

Question 9

how did the political doctrine of the divine right of kings influence the followers of Hitler

Answer 9

They saw him as chosen by God thus wanted to follow him as he had a divine right

Question 10

Hermann Gruners source of Nazi ideology

Answer 10

“Hitler is the way of the Spirit and the will of God for the German people to enter the Church of Christ”

Question 11

when would civil obedience be justified in Christianity

Answer 11

it could be seen that obedience to Gods will is disobeying that state if their views are acting contrary to Christian principles

Question 12

scriptural support for civil obedience

Answer 12

‘the authorities that exist have been established by God’ romans

Question 13

Bonhoeffers view on civil disobedience

Answer 13

NT teaches Christians have a duty to follow leaders unless they’re working against the state the civil disobedience could be justified.

Question 14

what did Bonhoeffer mean by terrible alternatives

Answer 14

in some cases, civil disobedience is the best that can be done even though it is not Good in itself. For example, in Nazi Germany. As long as its motivated by faith hope and love.

Question 15

Bonhoeffers guilt

Answer 15

Civil disobedience doesn’t make him Good but ‘Guilty and blackened by duty’.

Question 16

what did Bonhoeffer mean by theological mandate of disobedience and what did he call for

Answer 16

he called for a single-minded disobedience much like Peter who instantly followed God to walk on water. follow Jesus not the state when they’re infiltrating the established church doctrines

Question 17

obedience to …

Answer 17

a heretical church government is disobedience to Christ

Question 18

examples of Bonhoeffer living out the theological mandate of disobedience

Answer 18

1933 Radio Broadcast: ‘The Younger Generation’s Altered View of the Fuhrer’ – critical of what he called the ‘leadership principle’
Works for the Abwehr (German military intelligence service) under the ploy that his ecumenical contacts are advantageous, but all the while working for the resistance (Widerstand)
Influential in the Confessing Church and secret seminary at Finkenwalde
Arrested in 1943 for smuggling Jews to Switzerland, later implicated (perhaps wrongfully according to some scholars) in a plot to assassinate Hitler

Question 19

what is the leadership principle

Answer 19

Civil disobedience rest on the idea that it is possible for laws to be unjust and that it may be a moral obligation to disobey them

Question 20

Bonhoeffer quote - call to action

Answer 20

Silence in the face of evil is in itself evil

Question 21

limits of civil disobedience

Answer 21

scriptural disagreement - propositional revelation
could lead to greater harm
when can we agree to disobey and follow Christ
bonhoeffer lived in an extreme time
bonhoeffers assination goes against the bible

Question 22

what was schmermunds view?

Answer 22

Schmermund: few would disagree that laws are created by fallible men and women and thus it can be imperfect and reflect the prejudices of the time in which they are enacted
relating to augustine

Question 23

strengths of civil disobedience

Answer 23

• always relevant because leaders are sinful ( augustine) we should be preapred to go against these leaders
• schermund
• Luther - 95 theses opposing indulgences
• scripture interprets scripture it is clear following jesus is more important than the state