Pacifism

the "extraordinary" sermon on the mount

pp. 35-56

in: Petra BROWN, Bonhoeffer, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2019

Abstract

This chapter begins the argumentative sections of the book, by introducing the concept of the "extraordinary" as it emerges in what is generally considered to be Bonhoeffer's key pacifist text, Discipleship. This concept is found in Bonhoeffer's exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, where Christ is considered the exemplar of what it means to be "extraordinary" and the concrete command to love one's enemy an opportunity to practise Christ's extraordinary love in the world. Yet, this chapter shows that in Ethics, a new exposition of the Sermon on the Mount emerges, now arguing that the Christian disciple is called to responsible action that may include political action on behalf of one's neighbour.