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

Authors

  • John W De Gruchy University of Cape Town

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2016.v2n1.a03

Keywords:

Nelson Mandela, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, violent resistance, armed struggle, Church struggle

Abstract

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.

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Published

2016-07-30

How to Cite

De Gruchy, J. W. (2016). Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Nelson Mandela and the dilemma of violent resistance in retrospect. Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 2(1), 43–60. https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2016.v2n1.a03

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2016)

Section

General Articles (articles from all theological disciplines)

License

Copyright (c) 2016 John W De Gruchy

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