I must say it was a relief to hear that I was not the only one struggling with why we were reading what we were this semester. I understood the reasoning behind some of it but other pieces we read I just could not figure their purpose... I still am not sure on all of it to be honest, but I have definitely enjoyed the books we have read!
Bonhoeffer - I love the way he challenges me, I wish it was a book I owned, I may just have to go buy it after this semester is over (don't worry I borrowed it from the library instead!). He really challenges me to know my word better and what it says. To live out what I claim to believe in. He stood on his biblical convictions even though it ended up costing him his life.
The discussion that took much of our time in class was on his involvement with plotting to kill Hitler. I must say I am not sure I struggled with that aspect of him much (even though I believe I would struggle killing someone) because in the Old Testament God had His people wipe out entire nations. I must say I am not a pacifist. I agree with turning the other check but I also believe that the Bible teaches we are to stand with His people... I know that there are some in the class who take the stand of not killing. However, when the question was raised would you kill to protect your family? I am protective of my friends too. If I know they do not have a personal relationship with Christ then the answer to that question is easy for me. Let me ask this though, no this is not supporting pacifism, what would your friend or family member want you to do if they were ready to meet Jesus but the attacker wasn't? Conversely, what would you do if there was a large crowd of people who didn't know Jesus and an attacker who didn't know Jesus?... Playing with all the different possibilities in your head will make you sit down and figure out, at least contemplate, what your biblical convictions are on these matters.
PS -Rachel K
Don't get me wrong I'm not for random acts of murder in any way but sometimes people have to take a stand and sometimes that means death. If I had a chance to be part of a plot to take out Hitler believe me I'd be the first to sign up. At the same time I know that Hitler probably wasn't a Christian which makes me feel kinda bad but neither were the 4 million Jews he murdered. Think of it like this as well, the Jews were just the first line. Eventually it would make it up the line to you and me and if it's me or him I'm gonna take him out every time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you- I love Bonhoeffer- he really challenges you to think, especially if you allow yourself to "encounter" him. I think that's what you are doing through the questions you are asking. I am very protective of my friends and family and I will hurt someone else before allowing them to hurt those closest to me. However, the question you raised about if the attacker was not a believer... obviously I would not stand back passively and let my family/friends be hurt, but I would not want to end that person's life and hurry them to hell without the chance of repentance. However, in all actuality, in the moment I doubt I would think of such things or be able to inflict enough damage to kill them. I think that one dying so thousands might be saved is a good thing, however. With Hitler? I can understand Bonhoeffer's view. I don't know that I would've encouraged him, but I would've applauded him for putting an end to murder. It's so much to think about and so many variables...
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