Bonhoeffer,Schmitt,and the state of exception

Abstract

In this article I examine the concept of ‘the extraordinary’ in two Bonhoeffer books, Discipleship and Ethics. Through a comparison with Carl Schmitt’s political concept of ‘the state of exception’, I draw attention to the political theology that I argue lies inherent in Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The contemporary application of this lies in the use of Bonhoeffer and the idea of ‘exception’ in contemporary American political discourse since 9/11. I investigate the consequences of this using Giorgio Agamben’s critique that states of exceptions lead to violence without reference. I address two objections to my reading of Bonhoeffer, and the political theology that I argue arises out of Bonhoeffer’s concept of the ‘extraordinary’.