Pacifism and Tyrannicide: Bonhoeffer's Christian Peace Ethic

This article offers a new interpretation of Bonhoeffer's Christian peace ethic, a more penetrating description of what is usually called his `pacifism'. This peace ethic does not rest on a principle of non-violence — Bonhoeffer rejects an ethic of principles — but is rooted in his distinct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studies in Christian ethics 2005-12, Vol.18 (3), p.31-47
Main Author: Green, Clifford J.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:This article offers a new interpretation of Bonhoeffer's Christian peace ethic, a more penetrating description of what is usually called his `pacifism'. This peace ethic does not rest on a principle of non-violence — Bonhoeffer rejects an ethic of principles — but is rooted in his distinctive reading of Scripture, especially the Sermon on the Mount, and his understanding of Christ, discipleship, the gospel and the church. Consequently he does not abandon his peace ethic to participate in the anti-Hitler conspiracy and attempted tyrannicide. Theological analysis and historical information both support this conclusion.
ISSN:0953-9468
1745-5235
DOI:10.1177/0953946805058796