Should Christians practise civil disobedience? Flashcards
(11 cards)
Introduction
- Define civil disobedience
- What does this mean for Christian ethics
- How does this link to Bonhoeffer
- What do Christians have a duty to
• Define civil disobedience: the deliberate refusal to obey certain laws or commands of a government, typically on moral or religious grounds.
• In Christian ethics, the question arises whether disobeying civil law is ever justified.
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a key Christian thinker during Nazi Germany, provides a significant perspective advocating for civil disobedience when state laws contradict God’s will.
• Christians have duties both to God and the state, but these can conflict.
Paragraph 1
Bonhoeffer’s view supporting civil disobedience
P1: Bonhoeffer’s view supporting civil disobedience
AO1: Overview of Bonhoeffer’s theology
• Bonhoeffer emphasised moral action, not just belief. Christians must act according to God’s will as revealed personally in each situation.
• Ultimate duty is to God over the state; obedience to the state is conditional on the state’s alignment with God’s will.
• When the state becomes corrupt (e.g., Nazi Germany), Christians must engage in civil disobedience as an act of faithfulness to God.
• Bonhoeffer’s involvement in the Confessing Church and illegal underground seminary showed practical resistance to unjust laws.
• God’s will cannot be derived from reason or fixed rules due to the Fall corrupting human reason; it requires spiritual discipline—Bible study, prayer, meditation—to discern God’s will in the moment.
• The concept of costly grace opposes “cheap grace.” True discipleship involves sacrifice and suffering for God’s kingdom, following Jesus’ example (Mark 13:44).
• Bonhoeffer personally embodied this by resisting Nazism, risking and eventually sacrificing his life.
P1: Bonhoeffer’s view supporting civil disobedience
AO1: Overview of Bonhoeffer’s theology
Strengths
• Provides a powerful model for standing against injustice, especially in extreme circumstances.
• Acknowledges the complexity of moral decisions—no simplistic rule-following, but requires discernment and spiritual depth.
• The emphasis on costly grace prevents complacency and encourages active discipleship.
• Jesus’ teaching of self-denial (Mark 8:34) supports this call to sacrifice.
P1: Bonhoeffer’s view supporting civil disobedience
AO1: Overview of Bonhoeffer’s theology
Weaknesses
• Contradicts Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:39 on non-resistance (“turn the other cheek”), which suggests pacifism.
• Response: Jesus also instructs disciples to “buy a sword” (Luke 22:36), indicating resistance can be justified.
• Subjectivity in discerning God’s will risks moral relativism or error, especially in complex political situations.
• Heavy focus on suffering may seem overly pessimistic or even unhealthy, risking neglect of joy and peace in Christian life.
• Bonhoeffer’s context—Nazi Germany—is extreme; his approach might not suit more stable, modern societies.
LOA
Christians should practise civil disobedience when laws clearly contradict God’s commands and justice, but only after careful spiritual discernment and accepting the potential cost—making civil disobedience a serious, not casual, ethical choice.
Paragraph 2
Christian perspectives against or complicating civil disobedience
P2: Christian perspectives against or complicating civil disobedience
AO1: Traditional Christian views on obedience to the state
• Romans 13:1-7 stresses obedience to governing authorities, as they are established by God.
• Many Christians see lawful obedience as a moral duty to maintain social order.
• Pacifist traditions (e.g., Quakers) emphasise non-violence and submission, rejecting civil disobedience.
• The state is generally seen as part of God’s providential order unless directly opposing core Christian beliefs.
• The Church historically has taught Christians to pray for rulers and seek change through lawful means.
P2: Christian perspectives against or complicating civil disobedience
AO1: Traditional Christian views on obedience to the state
Strengths
• Encourages social stability and respect for law, which benefits society as a whole.
• Avoids subjective interpretations of God’s will that may justify any form of rebellion or chaos.
• Aligns with Jesus’ teaching of non-resistance and peace (Matthew 5:39).
• Encourages patience, prayer, and engagement with authorities as God’s servants.
P2: Christian perspectives against or complicating civil disobedience
AO1: Traditional Christian views on obedience to the state
Weaknesses
• Can lead to complicity in injustice by demanding obedience even when laws are immoral (e.g., Nazi support by some churches).
• Overemphasis on order may suppress moral courage to oppose evil.
• Legalistic obedience risks endorsing unjust regimes or immoral laws.
• May neglect the prophetic role of Christians to speak truth to power and stand with the oppressed.
LOA 2
Christians should practise civil disobedience when laws clearly contradict God’s commands and justice, but only after careful spiritual discernment and accepting the potential cost—making civil disobedience a serious, not casual, ethical choice.
