The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

82 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 A Twofold Response: Respect or Resistance Lydia Matzal Lydia is a Graphic Design student who also minors in Creative Writing and Studio Art. She enjoys drawing, writing, piano, and photography. In her free time, she works on building a medieval fantasy world with its own cultures and original languages. In the world today, we are aware of the existence of oppressive governments. We may not necessarily experience them ourselves, but others throughout the world have and still do. Pastor and theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, lived in Nazi Germany and faced the abuse of the German government. The modern world remembers him for his response and efforts against the evils of his government. He states, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act” (qtd. in Lane). Bonhoeffer’s appeal to take action against an immoral and unethical government applies to the film, Sophie Scholl: The Final Days . Sophie, a young woman who lived during Bonhoeffer’s time, chose not to be passive, but to resist her oppressive German government. From a biblical perspective, both Bonhoeffer and Scholl acted righteously. The Bible supports Sophie Scholl: The Finals Days’ contention that despite persecution, concern for justice instills a courage to stand up against a dehumanizing government. According to God’s Word, citizens have a dual response to government: submission, but also resistance when necessary. The apostle, Paul, writes, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Rom. 13.1). Paul writes these words to the Christians in Rome. According to Pastor Stefan Matzal of Trinity Fellowship Church, Paul could be addressing submission to authority because the Roman Christians were struggling with this issue, or because the Bible teaches respect for government. Paul