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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | To turn, or not to turn? | Rom 13:4 | flinkywood | 193567 | ||
Dear Forumites, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged by the Nazis for plotting to kill Hitler. In light of verses like Luke 6:29: "To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also," and Matt 5:39, is there scriptural justification for a Christian to murder a tyrant? |
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2 | To turn, or not to turn? | Rom 13:4 | DocTrinsograce | 193568 | ||
Hi, flinkywood... This is a complicated ethical question. I don't think that Bonhoeffer decided to participate in tyrannicide based on clear Scriptural principles. I do seem to recall that his ethics involved something called "operational guidelines." I'm sure there are written discussions of his exact rationale. Of course, we've must be careful to distinguish immoral violence from sanctioned violence. People often fail to do that, and that muddies a lot of discussions. The administration of violence of a soldier in carrying out his duty is a far different matter than the violent acts perpetrated by criminals. In terms of rebellion, early American divines considered that a Christian's submission was only required when the government in question was exercising its authority according to Romans 13:4. Governments that do the reverse -- reward evil and punish good -- were deemed outside of God's sanctioning authority. The litmus test was the governor's attitude toward and protection of "true religion." For them, these questions were not purely academic! Aquinas asserted that tyrannicide was a communities appropriate reaction to his wickedness. Luther and Calvin agreed that the best and most powerful reaction for believers in the face of tyranny was prayer. Calvin thought that God might even raise up heroes to mete out His justice. It would be interesting to dig up John Knox' thoughts in this area. These thoughts probably don't do much to give you a clear answer, do they? :-) At least they might give you some other ways to think about the question. In Him, Doc |
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3 | To turn, or not to turn? | Rom 13:4 | flinkywood | 193685 | ||
Doc, If the world is trying to kill my tyrant in a "just" war, I could justifiably become soldier against my tyrant and slay him. As a Christain, however, I have to ask whether my conscience agrees. I have to ask what Jesus would do. In the end Bonheffer became a martyr, not an assassin, so I wonder whether the greater good in this case is to be slain rather than to slay. | ||||||
4 | To turn, or not to turn? | Rom 13:4 | DocTrinsograce | 193696 | ||
Dear flinkywood, I still think you have to be cautious to distinguish between killing committed with malice aforethought by the individual (Mark 7:21) and killing as rightfully performed under the auspices of the magistrate (Romans 13:4). Christian ethics ultimately looks to God Himself, through the Scriptures, as the ultimate standard by which we seek moral guidance. Nevertheless, we have a precedent of using teleological considerations (i.e., justifying the means by the end) in determining a correct course of action. For example, as Christians, we might use violence as a means of stopping a rapist from harming a woman. The big difference, though, is that we call an ambulance as soon as the sinful objective of the rapist has been prevented. You mentioned "what Jesus would do." Keep in mind that he administered violence in cleansing the temple. Further we have the rather curious admonition in Luke 22:36 to buy a sword. Anyway... interesting discussion... but not a simple or trivial topic! In Him, Doc |
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5 | To turn, or not to turn? | Rom 13:4 | flinkywood | 193708 | ||
Doc, If Bonhoeffer plotted to kill him, he must have had an excellent reason. | ||||||
6 | To turn, or not to turn? | Rom 13:4 | DocTrinsograce | 193710 | ||
Well... in hindsight... :-) | ||||||