Discussion Points: Civil Disobedience & Bonhoeffer

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Should Christians Engage in Civil Disobedience?

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

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.’

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.

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.'

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.

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

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.

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.

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.”

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 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.

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

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.

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.