Christian moral action essay plan Flashcards
Introduction:
Bonhoeffer was a German theologian, present in Nazi Germany. Eric Metaxas has described him as the ‘ultimate role model to Christianity today’. Contributed to a resistance against Hitler.
Believes in the idea of ‘Grace’, divides it into two. costly and cheap grace. A good Christian would not take advantage of God’s gift of universal election. Would strive to live up to his grace.
Is Bonhoeffer’s theology categorically extremist or intrinsic to a functioning society?
I believe radical activity is fundamental, history repeats itself with its oppression, we need radical activity to bring attention to the cause.
German Church at the time of Hitler:
New divisions in Protestant Church initiated this thought. Now become Reich church. Old Testament removed, due to Jewish heritage, Vicars had to resign if had Judaism in bloodline, Hitler became to embodiment of Jesus. Now became labelled as ‘Godless’ by many and Bonhoeffer thought it was cult-like, focusing too much on the Fuhrer. So, he formed the Confessing Church.
Bonhoeffer described this as discipleship, which often entails going beyond the law. Similar to Jesus, who said ‘I came to bring a sword not peace’.
Yet, we now live in a multi-faith and multi-cultural society, surely no more need for radical activity. Yet there is still wars occurring and not helping oppressed would surely go against God’s ‘Golden rule’ of loving everyone.
Discipleship:
Novel ‘The Cost of Discipleship’ 1959. Being a good Christian is done through action.
Bonhoeffer quote- ‘their discipleship is visible in action which lifts them out of the world’. Shows his action in travelling back to Germany, after fleeing from Gestapo by moving to USA after 26 days. Believes in solidarity.
Proves himself as superior to the ‘Rich Ruler’, who turns down discipleship for his money. Staying in the USA would be like him. He eventually became a member of the Gestapo and smuggled Jews to Switzerland and extended his disobedience by going against the ‘Civil Oath’ in his Church in Finkelwalde.
Disadvantage- Jesus always taught civil obedience. Taught to follow civil authority, so not so relevant today, can be dangerous.
Advantage- would God want us to obey someone responsible for the genocide of millions?
Grace:
Bonhoeffer- ‘suffering is the true badge of discipleship’.
Promoted idea that God gave away Grace freely, yet we did nothing to deserve it.
Costly grace- we strive to work for his grace.
Cheap grace- we do absolutely nothing to deserve it.
We need to mirror his suffering, which is why Bonhoeffer was willing to suffer for the Jews and joined movement to kill Hitler.
Strength: Christianity teaches that Jesus is an example of living a truly Christian life.
Weakness: Not everyone is living in a place similar to Nazi Germany, killing Hitler goes against sanctity of life and agape.
Yet, if we apply Aquinas’ Natural Law, good and bad depends on the situation and we use our reason.
Conclusion:
Even if we are not living in close proximity to suffering, we will inevitably be living in a world with it. A true Christian would know that they would be saved after life on earth so wouldn’t mind standing in solidarity and suffering for others.
