3. Living: Christian moral action

The diversity of ethics and practice, including those that shape and express religious identity,
the role of the community of believers and key moral principles.

3.1 Content

• The teaching and example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer on:
– duty to God and duty to the State
– Church as community and source of spiritual discipline
– the cost of discipleship

3.2 Knowledge

• Bonhoeffer’s teaching on the relationship of Church and State including:
– obedience, leadership and doing God’s will
– justification of civil disobedience

• Bonhoeffer’s role in the Confessing Church and his own religious community at Finkenwalde

• Bonhoeffer’s teaching on ethics as action, including:
– ‘costly grace’
– sacrifice and suffering
– solidarity

3.3 Issues as the basis of exam questions

Learners should have the opportunity to discuss issues related to Christian moral action in the life and teaching of Bonhoeffer, including:
• whether or not Christians should practise civil disobedience
• whether or not it is possible always to know God’s will
• whether or not Bonhoeffer puts too much emphasis on suffering
• whether or not Bonhoeffer’s theology has relevance today

3.4 Suggested scholarly views, academic approaches and sources of wisdom and authority

For reference, the ideas of Bonhoeffer listed above can be found in:
• Letters and Papers from Prison and The Cost of Discipleship, Chapter 1

Learners will be given credit for referring to any appropriate scholarly views, academic approaches and sources of wisdom and authority, however the following examples may prove useful:
• Romans 13:1–7
• Barmen Declaration (www.sacred-texts.com/chr/barmen.htm)
• Luke 10:38–42