--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the first place, the church can ask…" description: "\"In the first place, the church can ask the state whether its actions are legitimate and in accordance with its character as state, i.e., it can throw t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_action_in-the-first-place-the-church-can-ask-th_1350707.jpg" --- # In the first place, the church can ask the state whether… ![“In the first place, the church can ask the state whether its actions are legitimate and in accordance with its character as state, i.e., it can throw the state back on its responsibilities. Secondly, it can aid the victims of state action. The church has an unconditional obligation to the victims…” quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_action_in-the-first-place-the-church-can-ask-th_1350707.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_action_in-the-first-place-the-church-can-ask-th_1350707.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/693/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_action_in-the-first-place-the-church-can-ask-th_1350707.jpg) > “In the first place, the church can ask the state whether its actions are legitimate and in accordance with its character as state, i.e., it can throw the state back on its responsibilities. Secondly, it can aid the victims of state action. The church has an unconditional obligation to the victims of any ordering of society, even if they do not belong to the Christian community. The third possibility is not just to bandage the victims under the wheel, but to put a spoke in the wheel itself.” [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The church should hold the state accountable, support victims, and work to change unjust systems. **In simple terms:** Church checks state, helps victims, seeks reform. Key Takeaway Use moral authority to challenge oppression. Themes ethics justice social responsibility Mood reflective determined hopeful Type philosophical activist When to use this quote - human rights advocacy - community support - policy reform - public protest Key Concepts theology political theory human rights Questions to Reflect On - How can religious institutions effectively influence political change? - What limits exist for moral authority in secular societies? A Different Perspective State power can resist moral critique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Aids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aids/) [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Bandages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bandages/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-community/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Church Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-ask-308560/) [Church Unconditional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-unconditional-4593348/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation/) [Obligation Victims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation-victims-4593346/) [Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Spokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spokes/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Thirds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirds/) [Unconditional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unconditional/) [Victim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victim/) [Victims State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victims-state-4593347/) [Victims Wheel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victims-wheel-2913921/) [Wheels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wheels/) ## Related quotes > [The church has an unconditional obligation to the victims of any ordering society, even if they do not belong to the Christian community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-church-has-an-unconditional-obligation-to-the-victims-of-any/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [The church ... is not just to bandage the victims under the wheel, but to put a spoke in the wheel itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-church-is-not-just-to-bandage-the-victims-under-the-wheel-but-to/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“The walking wounded, LAS victims, are grieving not one loss, but a lifestyle of ongoing losses. 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Otherwise the church becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-church-can-only-defend-its-own-space-by-fighting-not-for-space/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [There remains an experience of incomparable value . . . to see the great events of world history from below; from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-remains-an-experience-of-incomparable-value-to-see-the-great/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“To endure the cross is not a tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/to-endure-the-cross-is-not-a-tragedy-it-is-the-suffering-which-is-the/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“There is only one church, the church of faith ruled by the word of Jesus Christ alone. 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