Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Nelson Mandela and the dilemma of violent resistance in retrospect

Nelson Mandela and Dietrich Bonhoeffer have become twentieth century icons of resistance against illegitimate regimes and oppression. Both of them were committed makers of peace who were forced by circumstances to engage in violent resistance, the one in an armed struggle and the other in a plot to...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: De Gruchy, John W. 1939- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Stellenbosch University [2016]
In: Stellenbosch theological journal
Year: 2016, Volume: 2, Issue: 1, Pages: 43-60
IxTheo Classification:CG Christianity and Politics
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
KDD Protestant Church
Further subjects:B armed struggle
B Dietrich Bonhoeffer
B Nelson Mandela
B Church struggle
B violent resistance
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Description
Summary:Nelson Mandela and Dietrich Bonhoeffer have become twentieth century icons of resistance against illegitimate regimes and oppression. Both of them were committed makers of peace who were forced by circumstances to engage in violent resistance, the one in an armed struggle and the other in a plot to assassinate a dictator. This recourse to violent means in extraordinary circumstances was driven by moral and strategic considerations that followed a similar logic, even though their contexts were different in important respects. In this essay, we explore these similarities and differences, as well as their reasons for engaging in violent action, and offer certain propositions based on their narrative for responding to political oppression and the call for regime change today.
ISSN:2413-9467
Contains:Enthalten in: Stellenbosch theological journal
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.17570/stj.2016.v2n1.a03