Is Bonhoeffer relevant today? Flashcards
Yes: Christians today undergo persecution and his example might be said to be relevant to Christians who need to be prepared for such experiences
No: Bonhoeffer’s emphasis on the Bible might not be relevant if the Bible is read as not being authoritative
Yes: As society gets more materialistic, his teaching on religion less Christianity and costly grace might be seen to be even more relevant
No: His circumstances were extreme and not relevant today
Yes: His emphasis on spiritual discipline is timeless and remains an important message for Christians today
No: The effects of globalisation make the world a completely different place than the one in which he developed his thinking
Yes: Jesus should be the central starting point for all expressions of Christianity
No: There are too many pressures on modern people so they cannot engage in the level of spiritual discipline required
Yes: The Church is challenged regularly to ‘modernise’ and change its views to fit in with the world, while Bonhoeffer’s theology seeks to counter this
No: The idea of following God’s will is important but it is not possible to do so without specific guidance from Church authorities
