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Ethics: Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Jake Powell

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Ethics is a classic work of Christian ethics that explores the relationship between faith and ethics, the nature of the good, and the role of Christians in society. It is a challenging and provocative work that has had a profound influence on Christian thought and practice.

Ethics

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3580 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	388 pages

The Relationship between Faith and Ethics

Bonhoeffer argues that faith and ethics are inseparable. He writes, "Ethics is the obedience of faith." This means that ethics is not a separate sphere of life from faith, but rather an outworking of faith. For Bonhoeffer, ethics is not about following a set of rules or laws, but about living out one's faith in the world.

Bonhoeffer's emphasis on the relationship between faith and ethics is important because it challenges the idea that ethics can be neutral or objective. Ethics, Bonhoeffer argues, is always rooted in a particular worldview or perspective. For Christians, ethics is rooted in the faith that God is love and that we are called to love one another.

The Nature of the Good

Bonhoeffer argues that the good is not something that is abstract or ideal, but rather something that is concrete and particular. The good is not something that we can find in a book or a theory, but rather something that we must discover in our own lives. For Bonhoeffer, the good is found in the love of God and in the love of neighbor.

Bonhoeffer's emphasis on the concrete nature of the good is important because it challenges the idea that there is one right way to live or one right answer to every ethical question. Ethics, Bonhoeffer argues, is not about finding the perfect solution to every problem, but about ng what is right in the particular situation in which we find ourselves.

The Role of Christians in Society

Bonhoeffer argues that Christians have a unique role to play in society. He writes, "The Christian is called to be a sign of contradiction in the world." This means that Christians are called to live in a way that is different from the world around them. Christians are called to love their enemies, to forgive those who wrong them, and to seek justice for the oppressed.

Bonhoeffer's emphasis on the role of Christians in society is important because it challenges the idea that Christians can simply retreat from the world or live in their own isolated communities. Christians, Bonhoeffer argues, are called to be active in the world and to work for a more just and equitable society.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Ethics is a challenging and provocative work that has had a profound influence on Christian thought and practice. Bonhoeffer's emphasis on the relationship between faith and ethics, the nature of the good, and the role of Christians in society is a powerful reminder of the Christian call to live out our faith in the world.

About the Author

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident. He is best known for his book The Cost of Discipleship, which has been translated into more than 40 languages. Bonhoeffer was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943 and was executed in 1945.

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Ethics

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

4.6 out of 5