Christian moral Action

Question 1

FOR Duty to State (Bible on authority)

Answer 1

Bible says ‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established’

Question 2

FOR Duty to State (humans as fallen beings)

Answer 2

If we are fallen beings, human authorities can be a way in which good order is placed on disordered people.

Question 3

FOR Duty to State

above disobedience

Answer 3

Even if a Christian disagrees, they should be above disobedience - they can disagree and do what they are told

Question 4

FOR Duty to God

inaction

Answer 4

Bonhoeffer said doing nothing to combat justice is just as bad as doing evil

Question 5

FOR Duty to God (bottom up approach)

Answer 5

Any theology with this approach should put God’s protection of the oppressed above the State

Question 6

FOR Duty to God (fundamental principles)

Answer 6

Where fundamental Christian principles are challenged, the duty to God is more important.

Question 7

FOR too much emphasis on suffering

time

Answer 7

Lived in a different time, so his theology came out of experiences not relevant today

Question 8

FOR too much emphasis on suffering (Joy and resurrection)

Answer 8

Focus on suffering ignores Jesus rose from the dead & overcame suffering. It downplays the joy and hope of the resurrection

Question 9

FOR too much emphasis on suffering (Jesus suffering humans)

Answer 9

Jesus’ own suffering was said to be once and for all in place of humans suffering for their sins - means Bon puts too much emphasis on it

Question 10

AGAINST too much suffering (oppression)

Answer 10

His theology comes from oppression in society. Still relevant for many today

Question 11

AGAINST too much suffering (solidarity)

Answer 11

Suffering comes from solidarity, what Jesus did and so can be useful for Christians

Question 12

AGAINST too much suffering (costly grace)

Answer 12

In these terms, his emphasis on suffering can be a correct understanding of the true cost of discipleship

Question 13

FOR knowing god’s will (moment of action)

Answer 13

Bonhoeffer said that in the moment of the action, its possible
to know God’s will. Following your conscience will allow you to make
the right decisions.

Question 14

FOR knowing god’s will (approach as community)

Answer 14

If Christians approach life as a community, ethics becomes a communal action - decisions are checked and means we are more likely to know God’s will

Question 15

FOR knowing god’s will (Reason)

Answer 15

Catholic argument:

Reason is God-given, therefore using it we can know his will

Question 16

AGAINST knowing god’s will (fall, corrupted reason)

Answer 16

Reason is corrupted due to the fall, so we can never fully understand God. Relationship is broken

Question 17

AGAINST knowing god’s will (God’s will as a whole)

Answer 17

God gave us free will, we need to use this to resolve situations ourselves. We only need God’s will as a whole

Question 18

AGAINST knowing god’s will (Bonhoeffers’ interpretation over others)

Answer 18

There are other interpretations beside Bonhoeffers’. If there are multiple, we can’t say one is God’s will and another isn’t