Is it possible always to know God’s will? Flashcards
(12 cards)
Introduction
- What does this strike the heart of
- Introduce Bonhoeffer
- What will this essay explore
- LOA
The question of whether it is possible always to know God’s will strikes at the heart of Christian moral action.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a theologian active during the rise of Nazism, offers a powerful response to this dilemma. For Bonhoeffer, acting in accordance with God’s will is the cornerstone of ethical Christian life, yet he acknowledges that God’s will is not easily or consistently discernible. He challenges both rationalist and rule-based approaches to ethics, instead calling for a spiritual discipline grounded in revelation.
This essay will explore whether Bonhoeffer’s approach makes God’s will reliably accessible—or whether his theology ultimately makes moral knowledge too subjective and uncertain.
Line of Argument: While Bonhoeffer provides a profound model for discerning God’s will through personal spiritual discipline and sacrificial action, his approach arguably limits consistent or universal access to God’s will, making it possible in principle—but not always in practice.
Paragraph 1
Bonhoeffer’s View – God’s Will Can Be Known Through Spiritual Discipline and Revelation
Point: Bonhoeffer argued that knowledge of God’s will is possible, but not through human reason or fixed rules.
P1: Bonhoeffer’s View – God’s Will Can Be Known Through Spiritual Discipline and Revelation
A01
• Bonhoeffer rejected the idea that reason could access God’s will due to the effects of the Fall, which he believed had corrupted reason.
• He also rejected simplistic biblical legalism or systematised doctrines, arguing that God’s will is situational and revealed moment-by-moment.
• At his illegal seminary in Finkenwalde, he encouraged prayer, group Bible study, and meditation to help students cultivate a spiritual sensitivity that would allow them to hear God’s voice in the moment of action.
• This is evident in Bonhoeffer’s own life choices, including his decision to return to Nazi Germany in 1939 to act in solidarity with its oppressed people.
P1: Bonhoeffer’s View – God’s Will Can Be Known Through Spiritual Discipline and Revelation
Strengths
• This approach affirms that God’s will is knowable for those genuinely seeking it through disciplined spiritual formation.
• Bonhoeffer believed that if Christians act sincerely on what they believe to be God’s will, God will forgive unintended sin. This offers reassurance but also introduces ambiguity, as it rests on an individual’s perception rather than objective criteria.
• Bonhoeffer’s theological framework fits biblical ideas such as Mark 8:34 (“take up your cross and follow me”), suggesting that real discipleship involves courageous, sacrificial action—even under uncertainty.
P1: Bonhoeffer’s View – God’s Will Can Be Known Through Spiritual Discipline and Revelation
Weaknesses
• However, this method of discernment depends heavily on subjective spiritual experiences, which vary widely between individuals and could lead to conflicting moral claims. This risks moral relativism—where different people feel called to do opposite things in God’s name.
• Bonhoeffer’s case was extreme: resisting Hitler offers a morally clear target. In less clear-cut situations, the subjective method may prove insufficient.
P1
Conclusion of paragraph
Bonhoeffer’s vision offers a rich and authentic path to knowing God’s will, especially in times of injustice.
Yet the dependence on personal revelation and discernment introduces serious risks of error, misinterpretation, or self-deception
Paragraph 2
Challenges to Knowing God’s Will – Subjectivity, Biblical Tensions, and Relevance to Modern Contexts
Point: Although Bonhoeffer believed God’s will could be discerned through revelation and action, serious challenges undermine the claim that this is always possible.
Paragraph 2: Challenges to Knowing God’s Will – Subjectivity, Biblical Tensions, and Relevance to Modern Contexts
A01
• A major issue is the subjectivity of such discernment. Individuals may misinterpret their feelings, confuse personal desires with divine command, or justify morally questionable acts under the belief they are following God’s will.
• For example, Bonhoeffer himself was involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler—a clear breach of the commandment “Thou shalt not kill”—which he justified as a moral act. While many view this as justified civil disobedience, others may question whether God’s will can sanction such violence.
• Biblical contradictions highlight this issue: Matthew 5:39 instructs, “Do not resist an evil person,” whereas Luke 22:36 sees Jesus telling his disciples to “buy a sword.” These inconsistencies complicate the Christian search for divine guidance, allowing radically different interpretations.
• Moreover, Bonhoeffer’s theology is rooted in extraordinary historical circumstances—Nazi Germany. Critics argue that his emphasis on costly grace and extreme sacrifice may not translate well to modern societies with less stark moral crises.
• His theology also appears psychologically demanding, placing great emphasis on suffering and self-denial. While inspired by Jesus’ call to “take up your cross,” it risks glorifying pain and neglecting other aspects of Christian life like joy, peace, and community.
Paragraph 2: Challenges to Knowing God’s Will – Subjectivity, Biblical Tensions, and Relevance to Modern Contexts
Weaknesses
• These problems suggest that while Bonhoeffer believed God’s will could be known, this is not consistently the case in practice.
• The lack of objective standards risks both internal confusion and external conflict within Christian communities.
Paragraph 2: Challenges to Knowing God’s Will – Subjectivity, Biblical Tensions, and Relevance to Modern Contexts
Strengths
• That said, Bonhoeffer does allow for the role of community (e.g. the Confessing Church) to help clarify moral discernment, which can reduce individual error.
• Ultimately, while Bonhoeffer’s model supports an ideal of discerning God’s will through deep spiritual commitment, the barriers of subjectivity and context make it far from guaranteed.
Paragraph 2: Challenges to Knowing God’s Will – Subjectivity, Biblical Tensions, and Relevance to Modern Contexts
Conclusion of Paragraph:
Knowing God’s will is therefore possible in some contexts but not always, particularly when the circumstances are morally grey or when personal perception overshadows divine revelation.
Final LOA
It is possible to know God’s will at times—particularly for the spiritually disciplined who seek justice—but the limitations of human subjectivity, biblical ambiguity, and moral complexity mean it cannot be reliably known in all circumstances.
