Christain Moral Action

Question 1

Reasons by ‘duty to God is the most important thing Christian’s can have’?

Answer 1

-Bonhoeffer said that, given a choice between defeating a nation and defeating the entirety of Christian civilisation, the choice should be obvious
-Bonhoeffer said that doing nothing to combat injustice was just as bad as doing evil (‘we are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke, into the wheel itself’)
-Where fundamental Christian principles are challenged, the duty to God is more important. For example, some Christian’s use this as a reason to refuse to participate in abortions-or break the law to protest against abortion

Question 2

Reasons why ‘duty to the state is the most important thing Christian’s can have’?

Answer 2

-In the Gospels, Jesus does not encourage, disobedience when he says ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s’ (Mark 12:17)
-The Bible also says ‘Let everyone b subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established’ (Romans 13:1). This teaches that leadership on earth comes from God.
-If humans are fallen beings, human authorities could be a way in which good order is placed on disordered people. This is very much the view in Lutheran tradition of Christianity

Question 3

Reasons why ‘Bonhoeffer’s demands of Christian’s are realistic’?

Answer 3

-It makes sense to suggest that Christian life should be centred on the ultimate leadership of God, shown through Jesus Christ
-The Bible provides a realistic focus for this view as revelation from God but also as a book that contains prayer as well as ethics
-It makes sense that a well formed conscience, through prayer and study, will allow a Christian to act appropriately in the world

Question 4

Reasons why ‘Bonhoeffer’s demands of Christian’s are unrealistic’?

Answer 4

-The community at Finkenwalde might be said to have been ideal for those training for ministry but it cannot be said to be realistic for those who have jobs and families
-Different Christian’s express their faith in different ways and thus doesn’t make one way superior to another
-Christianity is about making a personal commitment to Jesus, not making a commitment to a community

Question 5

What are strengths of Bonhoeffer’s concept of discipleship?

Answer 5

-Bonhoeffer seems to understand that all humans are equally made in God’s image and deserve the same treatment as each other
-Bonhoeffer challenges those churches that do not emphasise the work of the Christian in the world and so makes Christianity more active and relevant in the world
-Bonhoeffer makes sense of the need for the Christian to be both of this world and separate to it through his emphasis on the need to challenge society when required

Question 6

Weaknesses or Bonhoeffer’s concept of discipleship?

Answer 6

-Bonhoeffer could be accused of being unrealistic in his expectations that all will be prepared to suffer when the majority of Christian’s are simply trying to live everyday lives
-Some would argue that grace really is freely given and that it is part of the generosity of God and people can respond to it however they want
-Some might accuse Bonhoeffer of neglecting the importance of living a spiritual life and developing one’s own personal relationship with God

Question 7

Reasons why Bonhoeffer’s theology is still relevant today?

Answer 7

-Christian’s today undergo persecution and his example might be said to be relevant to Christian’s who need to be prepared for such experiences
-As society gets more materialistic, his teaching on religionless Christianity and costly grace might be seen to be even more relevant
-Bonhoeffer’s emphasis on spiritual discipline is timeless and remains an important message for Christian’s today

Question 8

Reasons why Bonhoeffer’s theology is not still relevant today?

Answer 8

-Bonhoeffer’s emphasis on the Bible might not be relevant if the Bible is read as not being authoritative
-Bonhoeffer’s circumstances were, of course, extreme, and not relevant to the church
-Despote Bonhoeffer’s emphasis on Christianity without borders or boundaries, the effects of globalisation make the world a different place than the one in which he developed his ‘thinking’

Question 9

What are the strengths of Bonhoeffer’s principles of suffering and solidarity?

Answer 9

-It emphasises the importance of action and engagement in the world. He believed that Christian’s could not simply sit back and wait for God to act, but must be actively involved in bringing about change in the world
-Bonhoeffer’s solidarity theology emphasises the importance of standing with the oppressed and marginalised in society. Christian’s should actively work to alleviate their suffering
-This theology advocated for non-violent resistance against oppressive refines, even in the face of extreme violence and persecution

Question 10

Weaknesses of Bonhoeffr’s principles of suffering and solidarity?

Answer 10

-Bonhoeffer!s emphasis on personal suffering and sacrafice for the greater good May overlook the systematic and structural injustices that create suffering for entire groups of people
-It may not fully account for the complexities of identity and intersectionality. E.g. someone who identifies with multiple marginalised groups may face unique challenges that requires a more nuanced approach
-Bonhoeffer’s principles may not offer clear or concrete guidance for how to put these Pringles into actions in specific contexts

Question 11

Reasons why ‘it is possible for Christian’s to know and obey the will of God’

Answer 11

-Christian’s believe that God has revealed his will through the Holy scriptures, which provide guidance for daily living
-Christian’s also believe that prayer and seeking spiritual guidance can help them discern God’s will for their lives. They believe that the Holy Spirit can provide guidance and direction, and understand what God wants them to do
-It’s believes that personal experience can help people understand God’s will. By reflecting on experiences they can gain a better understanding of what God wants them to fo

Question 12

Reasons why ‘it is not possible for Christian’s to know and obey the will of God’?

Answer 12

-Christian’s believe that humans have limited knowledge and understanding, and that God’s will is often beyond human comprehension. As a result it may not be possible for humans to fully know and understand God’s will
-Christian’s also believe that humans are sinful and imperfect, and that sin can cloud their judgement and understanding. Humans can still struggle to obey God’s will perfectly
-There are many different interpretations of the Bible and what it means to follow God’s will, which can lead to confusion and disagreement among Christian’s about what God’s will actually is

Question 13

What is a quote by Bonhoeffer on obediance?

Answer 13

“The disciple simply burns his boats and goes ahead…has to forsake his old life…The disciple is dragged out of his relative security and safety into a life of absolute insecurity…It is nothing else but bondage to Jesus Christ alone”

Question 14

What is civil disobedience?

Answer 14

• Duty to God outweighs duty to state.
• The Lutheran tradition was that Christians should obey civil authority.
• Augustine saw perfection of the City of God as a pointless aim.
• Bonhoeffer: ‘Christians in Germany will face the terrible alternative of either willing the defeat of their nation in order that Christian civilisation will survive, or willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilisation. I know which of these alternatives I must choose; but cannot make that choice in security’.
• He also argued that a lack of action is as bad as supporting evil actions, you couldn’t as Augustine argued reject responsibility.
• ‘There is no standing amid the ruins of one’s native town in the consciousness that at least one has not oneself incurred guilt.’

Question 15

How did Bonhoeffer believe the church was a community and source of spiritual discipline?

Answer 15

• “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, by what will it be made salty? It is good for nothing any longer except to be thrown outside and[a] trampled under foot by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on top of a hill cannot be hidden, 15 nor do they light a lamp and place it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines on all those in the house.” Sermon on the Mount.
• Bonhoeffer believed that the Church was salt and light, it is a metaphor for Christians role and presence amongst other people in the community.
• Just as salt adds flavour to food and light makes things visible.

Question 16

What is meant by Bonhoeffer’s idea of salt and light?

Answer 16

• “The followers are a visible community; their discipleship visible in action which lifts them out of the world…And of course the following is visible to the world as light in the darkness or a mountain rising from a plain”
• Bonhoeffer notes that the Bible says you are the salt rather than you have the salt.
• It is not about knowledge it is about action.
• “All these good works are bearing the cross of Jesus Christ”

Question 17

What was the confessing church?

Answer 17

• Was a breakaway Church formed in 1934 which rejected Nazi ideas of Aryan supremacy and the anti-Jewish laws.
• Rejected the idea of Christianity fulfilled in Hitler.
• As Hitler gained power they were put under immense pressure to conform.
• One key issue was the requirement to take a civil oath to Hitler.
• In 1935 The Confessing Church asked Bonhoeffer to run a secret and illegal seminary to train new pastors.
• This evaded Aryan Law restrictions.
• This seminary eventually moved to Finkenwalde.

• The seminary was closed by the Gestapo.
• Bonhoeffer became critical of the Confessing Church for not being vocal enough in criticising the treatment of the Jewish communities.
• He frequently criticised leaders by quoting Psalm 31:8: ‘Who will speak for those who are voiceless?’
• When in meetings that failed to discuss Jews he would heckle by asking ‘Where is your brother Abel?’
• When the Prussian Church threatened to expel any pastor who refused to take the oath to Hitler leaders did not stand up but left it to local leaders to decide.
• Bonhoeffer saw this as a key turning point in his relationship with the Church.

Question 18

What is a quote about the cost of discipleship?

Answer 18

‘When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die…Suffering then, is the badge of true discipleship’.

Question 19

What is cheap grace?

Answer 19

• This is a challenge to traditional Church teaching.
• Jesus has saved, therefore the Church can teach
that you will be saved.
• Everything is going to be alright in the end, believe in Jesus and he will save.
• Bonhoeffer was concerned that knowledge of being forgiven might mean people think they did not have to change.
• ‘Cheap Grace leads to a denial of the Word of God, in fact, a denial of the incarnation of the Word of God.’
• Cheap grace is a lie, a self congratulating grace we give ourselves.

Question 20

What is costly grace?

Answer 20

• Costly grace is worth sacrificing everything to get.
• Grace means making substantial changes to our
lives.
• “It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life”.
• He was concerned that the Church had become tied up in pragmatism and earthly power, it had lost a sense of true discipleship.
• True discipleship was embodied in saints and not demanded of ordinary Christians.
• This resulted in a million spiritual corpses.
• Receiving Grace means you become subject to absolute obedience to God.

Question 21

What is said about sacrifice, suffering and the cross?

Answer 21

The Way of the Cross
• “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
• Discipleship is clearly linked to the Passion of Jesus.
• Death without honour, admiration or sympathy.
• Suffering is inherent to discipleship.
• ‘A disciple is a disciple only in so far as he shares his Lord’s suffering.’
• This is not suffering in the same sense that all suffer but suffering specifically for Christ.
• If being Christian looks ‘normal’ you are not doing it correctly.

• ‘The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world…The cross is not the terrible end to a God fearing life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die’
• The suffering also involves the burden of forgiveness and temptation.

Question 22

What does Bonhoeffer say about solidarity?

Answer 22

• ‘Existence for others’
• He had to live through the suffering that others were
experiencing, rather than stay in security and safety.
• Being there for others is what makes a Christian.
• We have a relationship with God by existing for others, not by being ‘religious’.
• God made a bond with humanity by suffering with us.
• Bonhoeffer returned to Berlin from America after 21 days, he worked for the resistance and was eventually executed.