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Bonhoeffer (Duty to God and state (Justification of civil disobedience…
Bonhoeffer
Duty to God and state
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The state is good (in theory) because it brings order and obedience to an otherwise disobedient people - based on Augustine's idea that humans have a tendency to sin.
In practice , though, the State has either gained too much power and ignores justice or human it thinks it is justice and so anything it does is good.
When the state over-steps its authority and power, and justice is not served, the Church has a duty to stop it. In this case it meant doing something morally wrong.
In extreme circumstances a Christian may act out of despair, faith and hope.
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"What is the will of God?" Is the question all Christians should ask themselves, rather than "What is good?" Because there may not always be a good option.
The Will of God will be "clear in the moment of action." But that humans have a responsibility to bring their will in line with the will of God.
Leadership vs a leader
Leadership is in the community and focuses beyond itself. A leader is specific to the person and is divorced from society. In the example of Hitler as a leader society gave up its freedoms in order to obey the tyrannical leader.
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The cost of discipleship
Discipleship (of Jesus) is inseparable from ethics. In order to understand discipleship[ we need to study Christ and make him relevant for today.
We can only know Christ because of God's revelation to us. Links again to Augustine and God's grace but also is prevalent in Barth's works.
To be moral people must hear God's commands and act upon them. Bonhoeffer cites New Testament examples of those who do one or the other - Pharisees hear, Martha acts.
Sola Scriputra, Sola Christo, Sola Fide.
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God's Grace cannot be bought by carrying out ritual. This is cheap Grace but prevails in the Church.
Costly Grace is hearing God's will and acting upon it. It is "costly because it costs man his life."
Also costly because the Grace cost God the life of his son. Grace is the only way for man to have true life
Sacrifice and Suffering
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Favourite Psalm of Bonhoeffer, 119:71
Theology of Crisis (Krisis) - Human sinfulness, literally disputes, can only be overcome by God's judgement.
This may explain Bonhoeffer's belief that he would still be judged by God for his actions but that he should be faithful that God can and will forgive him.
Solidarity
Solidarity with the Jews
Following the boycott of Jewish business in 1933, Bonhoeffer spoke out against the Nazi Regime (The Church and the Jewish Question).
Additionally, he drafted a letter of solidarity to the US Jewish leader, Rabbi Stephen Wise. He rejected the idea that Kristallnacht was God's just punishment of the Jews.
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Life
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Travelled to America before the Holocaust to study with American academics - was impressed and influenced by their teachings on social justice.
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Returned to USA in 1939 in order to not be called up to Hitler's army but wrote to Reinhold Niebuhr to explain that he felt he had to endure this part of German history with his people.
Arrested on April 5th 1943 and was imprisoned for helping Jews escape Germany. He was killed in Flossenburg 2 years and 4 days later at Hitler's request.
The role of the Church
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The German Church was being seduced by Nazism and as such had failed in its duty,
Moral and spiritual community that equips somebody to live in the world. The Church exists for those outside it,
Religionless Christianity - the Church has developed and picked up baggage. Ritual, tradition etc are not required for the obedience. These 'rusty swords' should be gotten rid of.
Society has changed - it has grown - think back to the enlightenment. As society has grown it has realised that the superstitious aspects of the Church are meaningless and so Church should distance itself from this.
Because of the enlightenment people reject Christianity but feel the need for moral and spiritual guidance. This is called the Western void and could be filled with dangerous ideologies like Hitler and the Nazi party's.