Christian moral action Flashcards
Key terms
Civil Disobedience
The Cost of discipleship
Civil disobedience - going against the state if it negates the laws of God
The cost of discipleship - how much someone is willing to give up to truly follow Christs teachings
KEY TERM - Civil disobedience
Although the NT teaches to obey the law. When a leader or the authorities are considered to be working against the interests of the state then civil disobedience may be justified and although not morally good is done out of faith, hope and love
Should Christians practise civil disobedience (yes)
ideologies such as Nazism – took over Christianity and prevented solidarity (Christianity main goal) ‘Rule of Law is directed towards Evil’.
-Gods law mis-interpreted and used for tyranny.
-Undermines Jesus’ teachings of helping minorities
-Gods law before everything else
the Prophets often spoke out against rulers who were failing in responsibilities to the people. They are also often rewarded for standing up to authority, e .g. Moses stands up to Pharoes and receives freedom for the Jewish people
If Bonhoeffer had succeeded in his assassination plot he could have saved thousands
Should Christians practise civil disobedience (no)
St Paul directly states in his teachings that ‘let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established’
Luther argued that the Church and the State were the same and to disobey one was to disobey the other
Bonhoeffer’s theory on civil disobedience is irrelevant today as he was working in a totalitarian state which could be seen to be intrinsically evil in any of the acts which it engaged in. Today in society, with the spread of democracy, many governments could be seen to be legitimately elected on popular platforms
in the age of extremism, Bonhoeffer’s teachings could be misinterpreted and misunderstood as advocating violence, extremism and violence. Many people would not support extremism or civil disobedience because it went against their personal beliefs- a more reasonable response is speaking up for one’s beliefs
How did Bonhoeffer say that Christians should treat God’s will?
God’s will is ultimately unknowable in totality, but by engaging with it daily in an ongoing process, we may understand better what God’s will is.
This requires Christian faith.
Can Gods will ever be known (yes)
Bonhoeffer’s emphasis on knowing and understanding God’s will is placed primarily in the context of an individual reflecting and attempting to understand his will. Communities such as those at Finkenwalde, and viewing the Church as a source of inspiration and community might mean that in this context an individual could truly com to know and understand the will of God
Some truths regarding what God wants us to do could be seen to be self evident and true. It is not unreasonable to expect that God’s will would be to stand up against a totalitarian regime such as the Nazi party and the acts which they were engaging in.
Through a life of prayer and dedication Bonhoeffer states we can possibly come to know God and understand His will
Can Gods will ever be known (no)
Sometimes it can not always be clear how God wants us to act in a specific situation. we have so many different courses of potential action and it is unreasonable, possibly even arrogant, to suggest that we know what God wants us to do
hat Dietrich Bonhoeffer became involved in and suggested, was acing in a way which encouraged individuals to contradict what God had commanded. For example having a willingness to go against the commandment to not murder.
God, if he is seen to be a transcendent individual, can be difficult to understand and also far beyond any human comprehension which we can understand.
Does Bonhoeffer place too much of an emphasis on suffering (yes)
The context in which Bonhoeffer was writing and the situations which he faced means that he was ever likely to put an emphasis on suffering and use this to guide his writings on concepts such as ‘costly grace’ and also ‘discipleship’ as these were the primary issues which impacted the Christian community at the time, yet this is not felt by all Christians
Bonhoeffer, and the emphasis placed on suffering, and also the difficulties of Discipleship, it might actually be difficult to live the type of life which he spoke of in today’s world
Bonhoeffer’s writings could be seen to the quite pessimistic in their approach towards life and the Christian life. The message of the Gospel is supposed to be an uplifting and joyous message- Bonhoeffer focuses too much on the cross and not enough on the joy of ressurection
Does Bonhoeffer put too much emphasis on suffering? (No)
Although the context of Bonhoeffer’s writings may have been important, each individual has their ‘own cross to carry’. Therefore we may have to suffer in the same ways which Bonhoeffer described and related to, however we still see people suffer in today’s world. e.g many suffer from ‘spiritual poverty’ rather than materially/abuse of human rights
Today we can place ourselves with those who suffer, just like Bonhoeffer did. Although we may no be afflicted with suffering we can still experience it and engage with Bonhoeffer’s teachings by engaging with the pain and suffering of those who are around us, clearly relating to teachings on solidarity
A life with Christ does involve sacrifice and Bonhoeffer might be seen to be reasonable in his views of ‘costly grace’. Sometimes religion does require sacrifice and needs us to ‘pass through the cross’ to understand and know the joy of the Gospel message
Does Bonhoeffer’s teachings have relevance today (yes)
Bonhoeffer states that we should help those who suffer and demonstrate solidarity with them. This teaching can be seen to be consistently relevant, regardless of the society in which a person lives. This allows and encourages a Christian to react to the situation in which they find themselves- Bonhoeffer was supported by Fletcher when later presenting situation ethics
Bonhoeffer’s teaching on suffering can help to understand and know the experience of sympathy in a new way. If we follow Bonhoeffer’s teachings it can help us to truly understand what it is to suffer and therefore we can develop genuine societies which give practical ways to help those who are in need
Bonhoeffer - “Western Void” - the world has developed into a more rational world rather than a superstitious one, however whilst this is not necessarily a bad thing it means that the ‘void’ left behind might lead to other ideologies that promote hate
Does Bonhoeffer’s theology have relevance today? No (4)
Bonhoeffer’s view on the state could be seen to threaten states where loyalty to the nation is of high importance and central to the demand
Bonhoeffer ultimately has a Christian focus for his teachings. Despite arguing for a ‘religionless’ Christianity, Bonhoeffer still argues around Christian moral principles, therefore may be seen to irrelevant as his Christian ideals could cause resentment in a largely secular society
Bonhoeffer developed his writings in such extreme circumstances and therefore they are difficult to be seen as relevant today. Bonhoeffer’s approach and view on ethics might have been correct for the singular threat of Nazi Germany, yet it could not react to the threats we face today from multiple sources
How did Bonhoeffer argue against secular pacifism
He argued that secular pacifism did not prepare humanity properly for the Kingdom of God.
This is because the ideas of ‘peace’ and ‘true justice’ are not of this world, but of the Kingdom of God.
Therefore, attempting to strive for peace on Earth was pointless and merely ensures that more injustice and violence occurs through passive inaction.
Bonhoeffer and the role of the Church
Moral and spiritual community which equips people with the tools to live morally in a worldwide community.
The church should be a visible community – a sign of hope for others. Cf. Matthew 5:13-16: salt and light; just as salt adds flavour to food, Christians must be light and act as moral people
Confessing Church - the barmen declaration
A Christian’s primary duty is to Christ.
The Church should reject any teaching not revealed in the life of Jesus.
What did Bonhoeffer say motivates action
Conscience; conscience allows us to realise that we hear Jesus’s teachings or the teachings of others but do not act on them.
Conscience is the recognition of our own self disunity.
