Discussion Points: Civil Disobedience & Bonhoeffer

Test yourself

Should Christians Engage in Civil Disobedience?

Here are arguments stating that Christians should or should not practise civil disobedience.

Arguments for - Mark & Hitler

The Gospel of Mark indicates that Jesus advocated civil disobedience while in the Temple in Jerusalem - if it is for the Greater good or for the love of God.
With the rise of Hitler, Bonhoeffer believed Christians had a duty to speak out and be disciples of the Church which meant ‘carrying the crosses.’

Arguments for - Bonhoeffer & Fletcher

Bonhoeffer practised civil disobedience in his plot to assassinate Hitler.
Jesus spoke out for the oppressed on numerous occasions and is quoted as having said, ‘I have come not with peace but a sword’.
Joseph Fletcher would say it is the most loving thing to do in certain circumstances.

Arguments against - Luke

There are many Biblical examples that support following the laws of the state:
- The Gospel of Luke implies that the government’s authority is to be respected.
- Whilst in the temple when Jesus was challenged on whether or not to obey the authorities and pay taxes to Caesar he replied: 'Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.'

Arguments against - St Paul

In St Paul’s letter to the Romans, he commands the Christian community to follow the state: 'All of you must obey the government rulers. Everyone who rules was given the power to rule by God.'
At the time, the ruling authority was Nero, one of the worst tyrants of all time.

Debates About Bonhoeffer

Did Bonhoeffer emphasise suffering too much? Is Bonhoeffer's theory relevant today?

Too much emphasis

We must look at the context in which Bonhoeffer was writing. He lived at a time of great suffering and danger - when extreme ideologies led countries in Europe. Not all Christians experience such extreme forms of suffering now.
It could be argued that Bonhoeffer's experience of suffering in Nazi Germany influenced his writings so much that it led to an overemphasis on suffering - not relevant in the context of the majority of today’s societies.

Too much suffering - Resurrection

Some people may argue that Bonhoeffer's thinking seems to override the joy and hope of the messages of the Resurrection.
Jesus’ Passion includes suffering, but the overriding message is one of hope and joy, that good defeats evil and there is life after death. Perhaps Bonhoeffer’s thinking is too closely ‘stuck’ on the cross, rather than the empty tomb and the hope of Resurrection and the defeat of sin and death.

Not too much emphasis

In the New Testament, St Paul asks the Christian community to: “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
Paul is emphasising the importance of suffering within Christianity. This is in line with Jesus who taught his disciples that “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Bonhoeffer's theory is relevant

There are many examples of people who are suffering in the world and Bonhoeffer’s message of solidarity with the poor, the lonely, the unjustly dealt with etc. seems relevant.
Bonhoeffer seems to have suggested something that runs counter to the ideology of capitalism and consumerism. Inequality in the world needs to be addressed.

Bonhoeffer's theory is not relevant

Bonhoeffer’s ideas were influenced by the historical context in which he lived. This context was Nazi Germany, war, conflict and anti-Semitism.
Some people argue that his ideas are no longer relevant today in a modern, secular and liberal democracy.
Others argue that Bonhoeffer’s focus on civil disobedience and 'costly grace' neglect other important Christian teachings.
- For instance, Joseph Fletcher argues that Jesus’ main emphasis on morality was based on ‘agape’ or unconditional love.

Can We Always Know God's Will?

Here are arguments for and against the idea that we can always know God's will.

Arguments for

Bonhoeffer writes: “The nature of God’s will can only be made clear in the moment of action”.
This means that every situation we find ourselves in should be judged on an individual basis.
There are no set laws or rules because God’s will is what should rule our lives.

Arguments against

Saint Augustine believed that it is impossible for humans to know God’s will because of the Fall. We are corrupt and our wills are equally as corrupt.
Augustine states that the human will is flawed and so as a consequence, perhaps we may find it hard to know what God wants.

1Philosophy of Religion

1.1Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato

1.1.1Plato's Understanding of Reality

1.1.2Plato's Theory of Forms

1.1.3Plato's Analogy of the Cave

1.1.4The Purpose of Plato's Analogy of the Cave

1.1.5Evaluation of Plato's Theories

1.2Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle

1.2.1Aristotle's Understanding of Reality

1.2.2Aristotle's Four Causes

1.2.3Aristotle's Prime Mover

1.3Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body

1.3.1Plato & Aristotle's Views of the Soul

1.3.2Metaphysics of Consciousness

1.3.3Materialism - Ryle’s Philosophical Behaviourism

1.3.4Materialism - Identity Theory

1.4The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation

1.4.1The Teleological Argument - Aquinas' Fifth Way

1.4.2The Teleological Argument - Paley & Evolution

1.4.3The Cosmological Argument

1.4.4Hume's Criticisms: Teleological & Cosmological

1.5The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason

1.5.1The Ontological Argument

1.5.2Criticisms of the Ontological Argument

1.6Religious Experience

1.6.1Introduction to Religious Experience

1.6.2Mystical Experience

1.6.3Conversion Experience

1.6.4Understanding Religious Experience

1.6.5Issues Relating to Religious Experience - Validity

1.6.6Issues Relating to Religious Experiences - People

1.7The Problem of Evil

1.7.1Presentations of the Problems of Evil

1.7.2Discussion Points -

1.8The Nature & Attributes of God

1.8.1Omnipotence

1.8.2Omniscience

1.8.3Boethius - Divine Knowledge, Free Will & Eternity

1.8.4(Omni)benevolence

1.8.5Eternity & Free Will

1.9Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic

1.9.1Apophatic & Cataphatic Way

1.9.2Symbol

1.9.3Discussion Points: Religious Language

1.10Religious Language: 20th Century Perspective

1.10.1Logical Positivism & Verification Principle

1.10.2Wittgenstein

1.10.3Falsification Symposium: Flew & Hare

1.10.4Falsification Symposium: Mitchell

1.10.5Discussion Points: Verification & Falsification

1.10.6Discussion Points: Aquinas vs Wittgenstein

2Religion & Ethics

2.1Natural Law

2.1.1St Thomas Aquinas - Telos & Four Tiers of Law

2.1.2St Thomas Aquinas - Precepts

2.1.3St Thomas Aquinas - Real & Apparent Goods

2.1.4Discussion Points - Natural Law & Doing Good

2.1.5Discussion Points - Telos & Double Effect Doctrine

2.2Situation Ethics

2.2.1Fletcher's Situation Ethics

2.2.2Fletcher's Concept of Conscience

2.2.3Discussion Points: Moral Decision-Making

2.2.4Discussion Points - Agape

2.3Kantian Ethics

2.3.1Introduction to Kantian Ethics & Duty

2.3.2Hypothetical & Categorical Imperative

2.3.3Summum Bonum & Three Postulates

2.3.4Discussion Points: Kantian Ethics

2.4Utilitarianism

2.4.1The Utility Principle

2.4.2Act & Rule Utilitarianism

2.4.3Discussion Points: Utilitarianism

2.5Euthanasia

2.5.1Key Concepts for Euthanasia Debates

2.5.2Discussion Points: Natural Law & Situation Ethics

2.5.3Discussion Points: Sanctity of Life

2.5.4Discussion Points: Autonomy & Medical Intervention

2.6Business Ethics

2.6.1Corporate Social Responsibility & Whistle-Blowing

2.6.2Good Ethics & Globalisation

2.6.3Discussion Points: Utilitarianism & Kantian Ethics

2.6.4Discussion Points: CSR, Globalisation & Capitalism

3Developments in Christian Thought

3.1Saint Augustine's Teachings

3.1.1Human Nature

3.1.2Original Sin & God's Grace

3.2Death & the Afterlife

3.2.1Heaven, Hell, & Purgatory

3.2.2Different Interpretations of the Afterlife

3.2.3Election

3.2.4The Final Judgement

3.2.5Discussion Points: Heaven, Hell & Purgatory

3.3Knowledge of God's Existence

3.3.1Natural Knowledge

3.3.2Revealed Knowledge in Faith, Grace, & Jesus Christ

3.3.3Revealed Knowledge in the Bible & Church

3.3.4Discussion Points: Reason & Belief in God

3.3.5Discussion Points: The Fall & Trust in God

3.4The Person of Jesus Christ

3.4.1Jesus Christ’s Authority as the Son of God

3.4.2Jesus Christ’s Authority as a Teacher of Wisdom

3.4.3Jesus Christ’s Authority as a Liberator

3.5Christian Moral Principles

3.5.1The Bible & Love

3.5.2Bible, Church & Reason

3.5.3Discussion Points: Christian Ethics

3.5.4Discussion Points: Love & the Bible

3.6Christian Moral Action

3.6.1Dietrich Bonhoeffer & the Confessing Church

3.6.2Bonhoeffer & Civil Disobedience

3.6.3Bonhoeffer's Teaching on Ethics as Action

3.6.4Discussion Points: Civil Disobedience & Bonhoeffer

3.7Development - Pluralism & Theology

3.7.1Pluralism & Theology: Exclusivism & Inclusivism

3.7.2Pluralism & Theology: Pluralism

3.7.3Discussion Points: Salvation

3.7.4Discussion Points: Pluralism Undermining Beliefs

3.8Development - Pluralism & Society

3.8.1Development of Multi-Faith Societies

3.8.2Responses to Inter-Faith Dialogue

3.8.3The Scriptural Reasoning Movement

3.8.4Discussion Points: Social Cohesion & Scripture

3.8.5Discussion Points: Conversion

3.9Gender & Society

3.9.1Waves of Feminism

3.9.2Traditional Christian Views on Gender Roles

3.9.3Christian Views on Gender Roles & Family

3.9.4Discussion Points: Secular Views of Gender

3.9.5Discussion Points: Motherhood & Family

3.10Gender & Theology

3.10.1Rosemary Radford Ruether

3.10.2Mary Daly

3.10.3Discussion Points: Ruether & Daly

3.10.4Discussion Points: Male Saviour & Female God

3.11Challenges

3.11.1Secularism - Sigmund Freud

3.11.2Secularism - Richard Dawkins

3.11.3Christianity & Public Life

3.11.4Discussion Points: Spiritual Values

3.11.5Discussion Points: Social Values & Opportunities

3.11.6Karl Marx

3.11.7Liberation Theology

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