In accord with von Soden’s rigorous argument from canon…
““In accord with von Soden’s rigorous argument from canon law, Bultmann ruled out the suggestion that the secular state be made subject to a special Christian privilege. Christians could not abstractly and defensively claim the right to resist the state. Only when the Christian confession ruled out fulfilling a specific demand of the state was it valid to resist and to suffer the consequences of this resistance.45””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Bultmann argued that Christians may only resist the state when their faith directly opposes a specific governmental demand, not as a general privilege.
In simple terms: Christians can resist only when faith conflicts with a particular state command.
Key Takeaway
Resist only when faith is directly challenged.
Themes
religion
politics
civil disobedience
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- church-state relations
- activism
- legal challenges
Key Concepts
theology
canon law
ethical limits
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a religious conviction become a legitimate reason to oppose civil law?
- How should societies balance religious conscience with civic order?
A Different Perspective
Resistance may be limited by differing interpretations of what constitutes a specific demand.