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Standing Firm: Bonhoeffer's Urgent Wisdom for Our Dangerous Times

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Sep 21, 2025

Guest

Jeffrey C. Pugh

In this engaging discussion, Jeffrey C. Pugh, a Bonhoeffer scholar and author, highlights the urgency of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's prison writings in today's chaotic society. He delves into Bonhoeffer's insights on recognizing God among the suffering and the dangers of collective stupidity. Pugh emphasizes the church's role in fostering discernment amid political turmoil and the misleading nature of 'safety.' With an eye on practical resistance, he encourages a courageous Christian witness in a world rife with deception.

32:14

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Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

See History From The Oppressed

Bonhoeffer insists we must see world events "from below" by standing with the oppressed to perceive God and truth.
Entering the space of the suffering cultivates empathy and reveals where justice is needed.

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ANECDOTE

Personal Discovery Of Bonhoeffer

Jeffrey Pugh recounts discovering Dietrich Bonhoeffer in college and finding him a compelling hero for resisting evil.
Bonhoeffer's life and writings drew Pugh into deeper theological and ethical study.

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ADVICE

Practice Resistant Empathy

Resist oppression by practicing "resistant empathy": accompany, feed, and physically stand with vulnerable people when possible.
Small acts of bearing witness build the muscle for democratic and communal solidarity.

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Bonhoeffer's Relevance and 'Ten Years After'

05:25 • 5min

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The View from Below: Empathy and Witness

10:21 • 7min

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Stupidity, Propaganda, and Inner Independence

Who Stands Firm? Truth, Action, and 'Are We of Use?'

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

After Ten Years

Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Our Times

Victoria J. Barnett

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This book contains Bonhoeffer's essay 'After Ten Years,' written in December 1942, which is a succinct and sober reflection on the impact of the Nazi regime on Germany and its people. The essay delves into the moral and spiritual struggles faced by those living under Nazism, questioning how good people can remain untouched by evil when it becomes embedded in the political culture. Edited by Victoria J. Barnett, the volume includes a fresh translation of the essay along with a penetrating introduction and analysis of its significance both in Bonhoeffer's time and in contemporary times. The book addresses fundamental issues such as reading the signs of the times, resisting tyranny, and engaging faithfully in struggle.

#2259

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

Ethics

R. H. M. Elwes

Baruch Spinoza

Written between 1661 and 1675 and published posthumously in 1677, *Ethics* is a comprehensive philosophical work divided into five parts. It addresses the nature of God, concluding that God is intrinsic to the universe rather than outside it. The treatise dissects the human mind and body, explores the notion of free will and good and evil, and analyzes the origin and strength of emotions. Spinoza argues that reason is the sole means to achieve virtue and freedom from emotional bondage. The work is characterized by its use of Euclid's step-by-step logical method to prove various propositions.

🍺 Bonhoeffer for Dangerous Times | Theology Beer Camp 2025 Preview Are we living in the most dangerous times of our lives? Renowned Bonhoeffer scholar Jeffrey C. Pugh doesn't pull punches in this powerful preview lecture for Theology Beer Camp 2025. Drawing from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's prison writings, especially "After Ten Years," Pugh explores why the German theologian's wisdom is more urgent than ever for Christians navigating today's political and social chaos.

You can WATCH this episode on YouTube 🔥 KEY TOPICS COVERED: The "View from Below" - Why God is found among the suffering and oppressed Bonhoeffer's warning about "stupidity" as a sociological force more dangerous than evil How evil masquerades as righteousness and “safety” The church's responsibility to cultivate discernment in an age of lies Standing firm when "all ethical concepts" are thrown into confusion Practical resistance and "resistant empathy" for our times 💡 FEATURED INSIGHTS: "Unless you are willing to enter into that space of suffering, you cannot see God” Why "safety in the hands of the stupid is always a power grab” How to tell truth in a society "in love with the lie” The danger of collective stupidity during "upsurges of power” This isn't just academic theology—it's urgent wisdom for Christians asking "Are we of any use?" in times that feel increasingly authoritarian and chaotic. 🎪 JOIN US AT THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2025! October in St. Paul, Minnesota ▸ In-person AND online options available ▸ Full Bonhoeffer session with Jeffrey Pugh, Lori Brandt Hale & Reggie Williams ▸ Keynotes from Kelly Brown Douglas, Phil Clayton, John Dominic Crossan ▸ Live podcast recordings and interactive discussions ▸ Get tickets: TheologyBeerCamp2025.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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