Bonhoeffer criticisms

Question 1

Niebuhr

Answer 1

Too idealistic – Denys human sin/finitude

personal ethical responsibility in the face of oppressive regimes could overlook the complexities and contradictions inherent in violent resistance.

He thought that Bonhoeffer’s commitment to action, although admirable, sometimes neglected the consequences of such action, leading to an overly idealistic approach to ethics in a fallen world.

Costly grace paradoxical

• “cost” of grace, paradoxical, undermines grace is freely given to remedy human sins

too idealistic and didn’t fully reckon with the depths of human sin and the need for divine forgiveness.

He felt that Bonhoeffer’s insistence on costly grace could be misunderstood as implying that human effort plays a role in salvation.

Question 2

Kung

Answer 2

Costly grace undermines biblical teaching

Küng argues that Bonhoeffer’s emphasis on the costliness of grace could lead to a kind of strict moralism

obscures the free gift of grace central to the Christian faith. - Esphesians – gift we cannot take for granted

People feel have to ‘pay’ for grace = spiritual insecurity

Risks overshadowing the unconditional, free nature of God’s grace.

Question 3

Kasper

Answer 3

Costly grace undermines sacraments/community

grace cannot be fully understood apart from the sacramental life of the Church and the theological tradition of the Church

Eg) gain it through Eucharist
-undermine ressurection enables grace to all

Bonhoeffer’s more existential and individualistic focus denies communal dimensions eg) mass

Question 4

Yoder

Answer 4

Need for Jesus’ pacifism

Becomes contradictory - Bonhoeffer’s participation in a violent plot contradicts the core of his theology, particularly his earlier emphasis on the cross and the cost of discipleship.

‘Without compromise, without equivocation—but also without arrogance or self-satisfaction’

Bonhoeffer’s endorsement of violent resistance, even in extreme circumstances, undermines his overall ethical framework

Should be grounded in non-violence and the imitation of Christ’s peaceable kingdom.

Yoder critiques Bonhoeffer for engaging in a “just war” type of ethic that, for him, is incompatible with Christian pacifism.

Question 5

Wink

Answer 5

Wrong to resort to means of the opressor

true costly grace leads to actions that challenge injustice without resorting to the means of the oppressor.

For Wink, Bonhoeffer’s involvement in the assassination plot contradicts the gospel’s call for nonviolent, transformative justice.