The tension between “risk” and “guilt” in the theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s exploration of responsible life

This article discusses the two definitions for a responsible life and action that theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer provides in his book Ethics, which suggest accepting Schuld – taking on guilt, debt, or an obligation seems to override risk involved responsibility. A comparison of Stellvertretung, Schuldübernahme, Zurechnung German codified civil law their dogmatic intricacies shows adopted jurisprudential thought into theology acting responsibly through accordance with Jesus Christ, incarnated God who once existed human reality acted cross as Stellvertreter humanity. Embracing elements sub-constitutional tradition bourgeois liberal-democratic movement 19th century served emphasize, part resistance dehumanizing totalitarian political system, independent private space freedom is removed from public sphere.