It is a popular belief that Bonhoeffer said that he would rely on God's mercy and forgiveness if he personally engaged in the act of eliminating Hitler. His theology points in this direction. But I do not know if he ever actually said this. That said, Bonhoeffer believed that Hitler was an indictment against the unfaithfulness of the church in Germany.
I appreciate these comments and thoughts regarding Bonhoeffer. My take on Bonhoeffer is that he never actively participated in the various unsuccessful attempts to assassinate Hitler. For a fuller take on this issue see my article, "Was Bonhoeffer Willing to Kill?" https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/nonviolence/was-bonhoeffer-willing-to-kill.
Regardless of one's take on the actions Bonhoeffer took, we cannot and must not stand in judgment on those who were forced to make choices in situations that included, at best, only lesser evils.
Interesting that a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer begins this reflection. How do we square Jesus' teachings--"turn the other cheek," "love your enemy," "do good to those who hate you--with Bonhoeffer's involvement in a plot to kill Hitler?
Was Bonhoeffer's rejection of Jesus' teaching in this one instance justified for the good of humanity? Perhaps it was. Perhaps he rightly adhered to the "two-tiered ethic" suggested by Aquinas and Luther and criticized by the author of this reflection.
If so, if there is wiggle room to get around in Jesus' teaching and allow for the killing of another human being, this opens the way to allow for other exceptions, does it not?
This question of exception is not simply an academic one. Rather, it is a very practical question (with practical day-to-day implications) that any would-be disciple of the non-violent Jesus must grapple with if she or he wants to live out the Sermon on the Mount with any integrity and credibility.
Bonhoeffer's position regarding Hitler and his personal involvement with an assassination attempt will probably always remain somewhat elusive. However, assuming some involvement I had heard or read (maybe, but don't know where) that Bonhoeffer realized the nature of an act of murder being a sin and if he sinned he accepted it and would rely on God's mercy for forgiveness. Any additional information or correction of this understanding would be appreciated.
Thank you, Mr. Moore, for your response to my comments regarding Bonhoeffer. I appreciated the link to your review the book arguing the case for Bonhoeffer's total pacifism.
The take away line from the article is the quote you share from the book mentioned: "God’s commandments are true and valid because Christ is true and valid – an order that should not be reversed. When the commandments are, however, abstracted from their grounding in Christ’s person and made into absolute moral principles, the person of Christ is made subservient to these moral standards." Amen and amen. Now and forever and unto age of ages.
I've had lengthy thoughts on the previous comment regarding Bonhoeffer. Consider five war biographies (and films) about soldiers who professed Christianity: Sergeant York (same name), Col. Hal Moore (When We Were Soldiers); Sam Childers (Machine Gun Preacher), Chris Kyle (American Sniper) and Desmond Doss (Hacksaw Ridge). All are soul pounding wrestling matches with pacifism/activism. I would ask each person after reading/viewing each, a) WHO was the [true, good, better] Christian in these five lives? Any attempt to answer it is a snare of the devil - begging us to judge another. The facts are that EACH ONE held to their conscience and by their conscience they will be held accountable. When Jesus says that "He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword" (Mt 26) - evangelicals think of that as damnation - rather than just a fact that if you choose that method, then be prepared to die in this life in a similar manner). I dare anyone to throw the first stone at any Christian of the Left or the Right, pacifist or activist because they shall be judged in like manner. It is a worthy discussion, and an anvil we must all be pounded on. I will not judge Bonhoeffer, and the Bonhoeffers I live among I pray that the Lord be with them and guide them, though the 'liberty of their conscience' is opposed to mine. I strongly disagree with Bonhoeffer's statement that, “We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.” - but God knows his conscience as well as mine - and He works within us to change/strengthen our consciences....our trust in Him overrides our cases for judgment.
It is a popular belief that Bonhoeffer said that he would rely on God's mercy and forgiveness if he personally engaged in the act of eliminating Hitler. His theology points in this direction. But I do not know if he ever actually said this. That said, Bonhoeffer believed that Hitler was an indictment against the unfaithfulness of the church in Germany.
I appreciate these comments and thoughts regarding Bonhoeffer. My take on Bonhoeffer is that he never actively participated in the various unsuccessful attempts to assassinate Hitler. For a fuller take on this issue see my article, "Was Bonhoeffer Willing to Kill?" https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/nonviolence/was-bonhoeffer-willing-to-kill.
Regardless of one's take on the actions Bonhoeffer took, we cannot and must not stand in judgment on those who were forced to make choices in situations that included, at best, only lesser evils.
Interesting that a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer begins this reflection. How do we square Jesus' teachings--"turn the other cheek," "love your enemy," "do good to those who hate you--with Bonhoeffer's involvement in a plot to kill Hitler?
Was Bonhoeffer's rejection of Jesus' teaching in this one instance justified for the good of humanity? Perhaps it was. Perhaps he rightly adhered to the "two-tiered ethic" suggested by Aquinas and Luther and criticized by the author of this reflection.
If so, if there is wiggle room to get around in Jesus' teaching and allow for the killing of another human being, this opens the way to allow for other exceptions, does it not?
This question of exception is not simply an academic one. Rather, it is a very practical question (with practical day-to-day implications) that any would-be disciple of the non-violent Jesus must grapple with if she or he wants to live out the Sermon on the Mount with any integrity and credibility.
Your thoughts?
Bonhoeffer's position regarding Hitler and his personal involvement with an assassination attempt will probably always remain somewhat elusive. However, assuming some involvement I had heard or read (maybe, but don't know where) that Bonhoeffer realized the nature of an act of murder being a sin and if he sinned he accepted it and would rely on God's mercy for forgiveness. Any additional information or correction of this understanding would be appreciated.
Thank you, Mr. Moore, for your response to my comments regarding Bonhoeffer. I appreciated the link to your review the book arguing the case for Bonhoeffer's total pacifism.
The take away line from the article is the quote you share from the book mentioned: "God’s commandments are true and valid because Christ is true and valid – an order that should not be reversed. When the commandments are, however, abstracted from their grounding in Christ’s person and made into absolute moral principles, the person of Christ is made subservient to these moral standards." Amen and amen. Now and forever and unto age of ages.
I look forward to future posts.
I've had lengthy thoughts on the previous comment regarding Bonhoeffer. Consider five war biographies (and films) about soldiers who professed Christianity: Sergeant York (same name), Col. Hal Moore (When We Were Soldiers); Sam Childers (Machine Gun Preacher), Chris Kyle (American Sniper) and Desmond Doss (Hacksaw Ridge). All are soul pounding wrestling matches with pacifism/activism. I would ask each person after reading/viewing each, a) WHO was the [true, good, better] Christian in these five lives? Any attempt to answer it is a snare of the devil - begging us to judge another. The facts are that EACH ONE held to their conscience and by their conscience they will be held accountable. When Jesus says that "He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword" (Mt 26) - evangelicals think of that as damnation - rather than just a fact that if you choose that method, then be prepared to die in this life in a similar manner). I dare anyone to throw the first stone at any Christian of the Left or the Right, pacifist or activist because they shall be judged in like manner. It is a worthy discussion, and an anvil we must all be pounded on. I will not judge Bonhoeffer, and the Bonhoeffers I live among I pray that the Lord be with them and guide them, though the 'liberty of their conscience' is opposed to mine. I strongly disagree with Bonhoeffer's statement that, “We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.” - but God knows his conscience as well as mine - and He works within us to change/strengthen our consciences....our trust in Him overrides our cases for judgment.