Christian moral action Flashcards
Quote from Bonhoeffer about taking action
Silence in the face of evil is itself evil […] God will not hold us guiltless
Give a brief summary of Bonhoeffer’s life
1906- Born in Germany
Hi mother valued the traditions of Lutheran Christianity (although the family were not church goers)
Studied theology
When at uni in Berlin, he began to support a radical reform in Christianity, believing the church should challenge the state in cases of injustice
1930- travelled to America, admired the vibrant and charismatic worship in the black churches
1930s- Critical of the leadership principle Hitler represented, and decided to return to fight the Nazi regime (as it aligned with his principles)
1943- arrested and imprisoned
1945- executed in a concentration camp
Quote from Bonhoeffer about preventing injustice
‘we are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the very wheel itself’
Give a brief summary of events occurring in Germany at the time
The majority of the population was Christian
1933- Pope Pius XI signed a concordat with Hitler (the Catholic Church and Nazi party would not interfere with each other)
1937- Agreement ends- Hitler arrests priests and closes the Catholic Youth movement to open the Hitler Youth
Pope Pius condemned Hitler’s actions in a statement entitled Mit brennender Sorge (with burning anxiety)
1937-9- Controlled the Protestant churches, calling them the National Reich Church
A Nazi became bishop the church
New hymns and prayers
Mein Kampf replaced the Bible, and the swastika replaced the cross
Define the state
The government/ political leaders
Define civil disobedience
breaking the laws of your State because you morally disagree with them
Quote about duty to state
‘Let very person be subject to their governing authorities’
Romans 13:1
What is duty to state?
The idea that everyone should follow the rules and laws of their country
It is tradition that Christians do have duty to state
What is duty to God?
The idea that everyone should follow God’s laws and commands
This sometimes conflicts with a Christian’s duty to state, making it difficult to know which to prioritise
Why did Bonhoeffer reject ethics based purely on human ideologies?
They are extensions of human ideas to justify power over others
Did Bonhoeffer believe the state should have absolute power?
No, as it consists of humans who can never ben fully right or fully wrong. It causes self-importance, and undermines God as the state puts itself above God
How did Bonhoeffer think we should approach duty to the state?
We should be obedient to the state, however always check that it doesn’t stray from God’s will, because then we should intervene. The church should remain separate, only intervening when the State is going against God’s will.
Explain Bonhoeffer’s views on leadership
Leadership is fully justifiable and a part of the community. A ‘leader’ is much more personal. Bonhoeffer was amazed people chose for Hitler to be their leader, as he was so imperfect
What word means the killing of a leader, and what was Bonhoeffer’s views on it?
Tyrannicide
This may be a Christian duty as it establishes social order, and not to act may be an even greater evil
What did Bonhoeffer mean by true discipleship?
Complete and utter obedience to God without question, putting your duty to Him above absolutely everything and everyone else
Quote from Bonhoeffer about true discipleship
‘Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life’
All will be saved, but in order to deserve it you must give up absolutely everything to follow God
Explain how Bonhoeffer used Jesus’ analogy of the salt
True followers must act like salt, preserving the world from evil and preventing its corruption by sin
It enhances flavour, as Christians must enhance society, spreading goodness throughout
Explain how Bonhoeffer used Jesus’ analogy of the light
‘You are like light for the whole world […] No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl. [..] Your light must shine before people so that they will see the good things you do’
It is the Christian duty to shine a light on injustice, spread goodness and set an example through action that will inspire others to do the same. Faith inside is nothing without expressing it and making it visible through action
How did Bonhoeffer distinguish between faith and religion?
Faith- a belief and trust with in God
Religion- the institutions and power structures through which faith is practiced
Christianity should return to a focus on faith
‘No rusty swords’- No outdated ethical attitudes should be practiced in Christianity
What were Bonhoeffer’s ideas about grace?
Cheap- God will save everyone, and so people carry on with what they are doing as they trust they will be saved
Costly- Grace has to be truly earned, you must sacrifice everything to follow God and commit your entire life to him
What were Bonhoeffer’s ideas about solidarity?
In order to sacrifice everything, you must suffer with those who are suffering, ‘adopting the cross’ and forcing yourself into discomfort as a true disciple. You must seek out the oppressed and suffer with them
Suggest why some may believe Bonhoeffer puts too much emphasis on suffering
Bonhoeffer’s experiences of suffering is. to representative of all Christians, as he lived in a time of great suffering
Christianity offers so much joy and hope, focussing on triumph over sin. Christianity isn’t all about suffering
Impossible to follow if you live in a place of peace and justice, it is dependant on the existence of suffering
Some of the worst sins don’t cause suffering, over indulgence in pleasure such as drugs, greed, pre-marital sex
Explain why some may believe Bonhoeffer’s emphasis on suffering is important
Everyone experiences suffering at some point
The focus on solidarity will help people feel consolation, and therefore strength and hope
Even if you don’t feel great suffering in your life, there are always places where suffering can be seeked out
Explain the movement set up by Bonhoeffer and Niemoller
Pastor’s emergency league- to go against Hitler’s requirements and preach the true message of Christianity
It then became known as the Confessing Church
in 1934- the Barman Declaration set the Confessing Church against Nazism
Bonhoeffer set up a community in Finkenwalde to teach true Christianity away from Hitler’s ideology.
The community was shut down in 1937 as the Himmler Decree declared the training of the Confessing Church illegal
Suggest why some may believe Christians should practice civil disobedience
Duty to God should be put above duty to state
Christians should seek justice for the oppressed
Jesus broke the laws of his land eg feeding disciples on the Sabbath
Jesus criticised rule worshippers eg Jesus in Temple
Jesus stood up for the vulnerable and preached kindness through action
Civil disobedience may be God’s will
Suggest why some may believe Christians shouldn’t practice civil disobedience
Jesus said you should follow the laws of your government
Christianity places importance on rules eg 10 commandments
The Bible teaches peace
Christians are just people and therefore should follow the law like everyone else
Humans are incapable of knowing God’s will and therefore shouldn’t assume God’s wishes
Justice will come in the next life
Suggest why some consider Bonhoeffer’s theology relevant to today
There are still many vulnerable groups suffering today
God’s will hasn’t changed
There are still tyrants and dictators
OS and free will means suffering will always exist
BLM- example of relevance to his teachings
Suggest why some may consider Bonhoeffer’s theology irrelevant to today
Suffering isn’t as prominent
Other methods such as giving to charity are more accessible
Showing everyone how good you are (ref bowl analogy) would be frowned upon in todays society
Today’s government doesn’t conflict God’s will and so following his theology would result in unnecessary violence
Suggest why some believe it is possible to know God’s will
The Bible is a direct, infallible message from God
Jesus, as God’s revelation, taught and revealed God’s will
Natural law - innate ability to understand God’s will
Suggest why some believe it is impossible to know God’s will
Epistemic distance
John Hick’s ideas of pluralism- humans have a flawed perception of God
The otherness of God
Christian teachings have changed and contradicted each other
Religion is a human construct and therefore fallible
OSand Barth- humans are too corrupt to understand God’s will
