The Role of the Church in Society

Bonhoeffer believed that the church has a critical role in holding the state accountable and opposing evil. He argued that the church should not be passive or complicit in the face of tyranny. This is evident in his early opposition to Hitler, where he publicly denounced the Führer concept and the idolatry of the state. Bonhoeffer's establishment of an illegal seminary to train pastors who would resist Nazi ideology highlights his commitment to a church that actively engages with and challenges societal wrongs. 'The church must hold the state accountable and oppose evil.'