Bonhoeffer - discipleship Flashcards
what is discipleship?
Turning faith into moral action and living through costly grace one must not be a pharisee- it’s not about knowing theory of morality and ethics but living it by discerning Gods will. Importance on social action as Jesus did. This comes with a price to pay.
what was Bonhoeffers issue with the Pharisees?
They knew the way of the law and religion but participated in little social action and failed to help people in society. This is not a true disciple.
Jesus showing moral action
befriending tax collectors
stopped people stoning the adulterous woman
looked out for orphans and widows
how does a person become Christ-like
social action
what is Grace?
unmerited favour of God that allows us to have a knowledge of God and relationship with him
Scripture for Grace coming at a cost
God loved the world that he gave his only son so that whoever believes in him [will have] eternal life
what are the two Graces
cheap
costly
How is costly Grace shown in the parable of the sheep and the goats
the sheep have served others and turned their lives into moral action and stood in solidarity with the marginalised in society thus saved
goats didn’t
this shows that costly grace is necessary
Jesus’ quote to his disciples for costly Grace and its meaning
‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’ - Mathew
This is about suffering, and standing along those who are suffering
what is the issue with cheap Grace?
some Christians do not feel they need to commit to social action because their sins have already been paid for. as a result of augustinian theology but this is not the case - parable of the sheep and the goats
pannenberg - evidence for resurrection is vast but people don’t accept it due to the change it would require. Becoming a true disciple.
objections to costly grace
overemphasises suffering as a part of true discipleship, but this was because of his time during Nazi Germany and the great depression
does the scripture offer a propositional revelation
Bonhoeffers suffering was unique
too pessimistic - Gospels means Good news
unhealthy to seek out experiences that cause suffering
would God want people to suffer
bonhoefffer downplays the joy of the resurrections it was s pivotal moment for Christianity
strengths of bonhoeffer and costly grace
Its about solidarity not just suffering
suffering is still suffering he does not say the scale that people that should suffer it is an attempt to achieve moral action
Bonhoeffers Challenge to abandon comfortable life gives people true meaning and purpose. Material benefits only lead to unhappiness.
It leads to a global benefit and is useful - nietzche
as well as global benefit it will help us develop into moral people Hick the necessary of evil/suffering for the humanity to develop
multmans process theodicy - he suffers with us
Bonhoeffers response to Nietzsche
- Nietzsche argued that religion escapes earthly reality in order to cope with the world around us and thus iut is not about real time creat after lifes and sadly desroy our actual lives
- bonhoeffer gives REAL in time purpose to humans - to be living examples of Christ - it is not a theory on eschatology etc
