Christian Moral Action

Question 1

ecumenical

Answer 1

promoting unity between christian denominations

Question 2

What is Bonhoeffers main book

Answer 2

Cost of Discipleship

Question 3

Aryan Paragraph

Answer 3

removed jewish heritage ministers from church in Germany

Question 4

what did Bonhoeffer return to Germany in 1935 to do

Answer 4

teach at the finkenwalde seminary for the confessing church

Question 5

why was Bonhoeffer killed

Answer 5

for taking part in a plot to assassinate Hitler

Question 6

what did Bonhoeffer believe being a christian was

Answer 6

responding to the call of Jesus by following his teachings with obedience

Question 7

civil disobedience

Answer 7

decision to refuse certain laws or practices of government

Question 8

what did Bonhoeffer believe about duty and how did he act

Answer 8

he believed duty to god was more important than duty to state so spoke out against Nazism

Question 9

why did Bonhoeffer attempt to assassinate Hitler

Answer 9

he believed inaction was wrong and that because humans were fallen there is never any absolute right or wrong

Question 10

Reasons why Duty to God is more important

Answer 10

• defeating a nation is better than defeating christianity
• believed inaction was just as bad as wrong action
• bottom up approach places gods protection of the oppressed over the state
• Abandonment of comfort gives more meaning to life
• He believed Tyranicide was Gods Will and he would be forgiven

Question 11

Reasons why Duty to the state is more important

Answer 11

• Jesus Caesar quote encourages living lawfully
• Bible says earthly authority is god given
• follow Jesus example of speaking out whilst obeying the law
• Lutheran tradition that authority is good and instills order on disorder

Question 12

What is the main critique of Bonhoeffer

Answer 12

his circumstance was very extreme and isn’t relevant nowadays

Question 13

what is true faith

Answer 13

being entirely obedient to gods will

Question 14

what is a good christian life for Bonhoeffer

Answer 14

one where the Bible and Jesus are centralised

Question 15

what was Bonhoeffer’s understanding of leadership

Answer 15

a true leader was one who kept his followers focused on God. as humans naturally follow the human leader they must not become idolised

Question 16

Why is Jesus so important for Bonhoeffer

Answer 16

He was the sole mediator between Gods will and humans so was an example to follow

Question 17

Barmen declaration

Answer 17

written by the confessing church states that Jesus is central and the way to God

Question 18

Reasons why Christians can know Gods will

Answer 18

• For good christians Conscience in the moment of action is Gods will
• Bonhoeffer argues good christian communal life (finkenwalde) lessens the risk of wrong interpretation of Gods will
• Reason is God given helps us to know him

Question 19

Reasons why Christians cannot know Gods will

Answer 19

• The fall means humans and reason are corrupt so they can never know God
• God gave humans free will so knowing Gods will isn’t necessary
• Bonhoeffer interpreted Gods will as assassination, this could have been wrong as killing is wrong

Question 20

Why did Bonhoeffer disagree with the confessing church

Answer 20

They didn’t focus on all minorities and didn’t do enough to challenge the Nazis

Question 21

religionless Christianity

Answer 21

Bonhoeffer thought this was what christianity should become which moves away from past traditions and the western void

Question 22

western void

Answer 22

removal of superstition and Christian values from society which leaves a moral vacuum for other ideologies like Nazism

Question 23

rusty swords

Answer 23

useless christian traditions that have no place in modern society

Question 24

what was the way of life at finkenwalde

Answer 24

simplicity and discipline which centred around the bible and Jesus hoping

Question 25

what was the aim of the way of life at finkenwalde

Answer 25

reflection on their own spirituality would help them to act correctly and form a good conscience

Question 26

Strengths of Bonhoeffer’s way of life

Answer 26

• christian life should be centred around God and Jesus
• well formed conscience would help to act correctly in the world
• in line with early biblical ideas of communal living

Question 27

weaknesses of Bonhoeffer’s way of life

Answer 27

• Not ideal for those leading a normal life not as a priest
• no one way of faith is superior to another
• requires a great theological understanding which isn’t common among most people

Question 28

cheap grace

Answer 28

people thinking grace is a free gift from God with no obligation

Question 29

costly grace

Answer 29

grace cost god the life of Jesus so must cost a human something

Question 30

what is true discipleship for Bonhoeffer

Answer 30

being prepared to give up as much as Jesus in return for Gods grace, there is a cost for being a true christian

Question 31

What is Bonhoeffer view of solidarity

Answer 31

Christians must act and work with those in need by standing alongside them, Bonhoeffer stood with the jews which cost him his life

Question 32

strengths of Bonhoeffer’s Discipleship

Answer 32

• all humans are in gods image and equal
• makes christianity active and relevant in the world
• emphasis on simplicity makes it accessible

Question 33

weaknesses of Bonhoeffer’s Discipleship

Answer 33

• unrealistic expectation of suffering for standard christian
• grace is freely given as gods generosity
• Bonhoeffer neglects personal and spiritual connection with God

Question 34

Reasons why Bonhoeffer places too much emphasis on suffering

Answer 34

• He lived in a unique time with a lot of suffering
• Jesus suffering was once and for all to save everyone from sin
• Bonhoeffer didn’t seek suffering so emphasis shouldn’t be read into too much

Question 35

Reasons why Bonhoeffer does not place too much emphasis on suffering

Answer 35

• relevance as oppression is still present today
• suffering comes from solidarity which is Jesus approach
• Jesus called all people to follow his example so people should suffer

Question 36

Reasons why Bonhoeffer is relevant today

Answer 36

• There is still persecution today
• society is very materialistic so religionless christianity and costly grace are relevant
• spiritual discipline and finkenwalde way of life is timeless
• emphasis on Jesus as starting point to follow is accepted widely

Question 37

Reasons why Bonhoeffer isn’t relevant today

Answer 37

• Bible isn’t authoritative nowadays so his emphasis is flawed
• extreme circumstances
• Anachronistic view as society has changed a lot with globalisation
• following gods will isn’t possible without the church guidance