The Cost of Discipleship – Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Chapter 12 Revenge

Matthew 5:38-42

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

As I read through this chapter it makes perfect sense, for a Christian. And yet even as disciples of Jesus Bonhoeffer’s statements regarding opposing evil strike at our sense of judgement and fairness. “Paying back the enemy in his own coin”, and “preferring to suffer without resistance”, challenges us to understand Jesus’ instructions; “do not resist an evil person”. That declaration strike at the very core of our sense of justice, fairness, security and overall safety, especially for those of us appointed to be guardians over others in our sphere of influence. Bonhoeffer states, “the shameful assault, the deed of violence and the act of exploitation are still evil”. “Violence stands condemned by it’s failure to evoke counter-violence”.

“In the Old Testament personal rights are protected by a divinely established system of retribution. Every evil must be requited”. In other words, no sin will go unpunished. Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:19* are clear that this responsibility is exclusively God’s. The culminating event is spelled out in Revelation 20:11-15 when complete, final judgement and righteous punishment will be meted out by God. While we are called to resist evil, Matt. 5:39, we need to realize the fact that we cannot defeat it. That task is the exclusive right of God and in his timing, evil will be defeated. There is far more to this chapter than I can cover here. I suggest you read it for yourself.

*“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

The Cost of Discipleship was first published in Germany in 1937. The Third Riech was growing and the church was split between those aligned with Hitler and those opposed. It to this second group Bonhoeffer responded after hearing and understanding what “cheap grace” meant. It is difficult to comprehend him writing this chapter on revenge and his later involvement in anti-Nazi activities, including his limited relationship to Operation Valkyrie.