Resisting Stupidity: A Biblical Reflection on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s "After Ten Years"

J. Neil Daniels

Introduction

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the renowned German theologian and martyr, provided a profound insight into the nature of human foolishness in his 1942 essay, "After Ten Years," penned during the height of Nazi Germany's reign. Bonhoeffer's reflections reveal that stupidity is not merely intellectual inadequacy; rather, it is fundamentally a moral and spiritual failing. In an age characterized by misinformation, political polarization, and moral confusion, Bonhoeffer’s insights resonate deeply with biblical wisdom, offering crucial lessons for contemporary Christians.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Brief Biography

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and active participant in the resistance against Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime. His significant theological works—including The Cost of Discipleship, Ethics, and Letters and Papers from Prison—highlight the imperative of faithful Christian witness amid profound evil. Arrested for his involvement in plots to overthrow Hitler, Bonhoeffer was executed at Flossenbürg concentration camp shortly before Germany's surrender. His life remains a powerful testimony to Christian faithfulness under extreme adversity (Matt 16:24–25).

Understanding Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity from "After Ten Years"

Bonhoeffer’s exploration of stupidity identifies it as primarily moral rather than intellectual:

1. Stupidity as Moral Failure: Bonhoeffer wrote, "Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion... Against stupidity we are defenseless." The Bible parallels this view by linking foolishness directly to moral corruption and spiritual blindness (Pro 1:7; Rom 1:21–22).

2. Stupidity and Power: Bonhoeffer also recognized the relationship between stupidity and oppressive power, stating, "The power of the one needs the stupidity of the other." Scripture warns against blind allegiance to worldly authorities, urging believers to discern truth rather than succumb to manipulative power (Ps 118:8; Matt 15:14).

3. Stupidity as a Social Phenomenon: In "After Ten Years," Bonhoeffer notes, "Stupidity is a particular form of the impact of historical circumstances on human beings." This aligns with the biblical portrayal of societies becoming spiritually and morally foolish when they collectively reject God’s revealed truth (Rom 1:25).

4. The Responsibility to Resist Stupidity: Crucially, Bonhoeffer emphasizes our duty to confront stupidity courageously, writing, "The only way to deal with stupidity is to recognize it for what it is, to see it as a moral and intellectual failing, and to confront it with truth and reason." Scripture similarly calls believers to stand firm in truth and actively resist deception (John 8:32; 1 Thess 5:21).

Practical Applications for Today

Given today's landscape marked by misinformation, polarization, and cultural pressures, Bonhoeffer’s wisdom from "After Ten Years" offers practical biblical strategies:

1. Pursuing Biblical Wisdom: True wisdom, distinct from worldly knowledge, comes from reverence for God. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Pro 9:10). Christians must prioritize Scripture and godly wisdom over societal trends.

2. Exercising Spiritual Discernment: Believers are called to "test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thess 5:21). Such discernment demands ongoing engagement with God’s Word, prayer, and active participation in a biblically faithful community (Heb 5:14).

3. Embracing the Cost of Discipleship: Bonhoeffer famously emphasized "costly grace." Following Christ means rejecting conformity to the world's patterns and accepting the often painful consequences of standing firm for biblical truth (Rom 12:2; Matt 5:10).

4. Cultivating Authentic Christian Community: Bonhoeffer understood the protective power of genuine fellowship against ideological conformity. As Proverbs 27:17 teaches, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Christians must encourage mutual accountability and courageous fidelity to truth.

5. Speaking Truth in Love: Ephesians 4:15 calls believers to be truth-tellers, exemplifying Christ’s grace and truth (John 1:14). Courageously speaking truth, even when unpopular, demonstrates love and fidelity to God's Word.

6. Embracing Personal Responsibility: Individual accountability before God is emphasized throughout Scripture (Romans 14:12). Overcoming moral and intellectual stupidity requires each believer to actively pursue spiritual growth and moral integrity.

Conclusion

Bonhoeffer’s insights from "After Ten Years" underscore a profound biblical truth: stupidity is fundamentally a moral and spiritual issue, demanding not only intellectual rigor but also spiritual maturity and moral courage. His reflections, formed in the darkness of Nazi oppression, remain critically relevant in our modern age. The antidote to moral stupidity is unwavering submission to God's truth and the courageous practice of biblical wisdom. Christians today, guided by Bonhoeffer’s example, are called to resist stupidity by faithfully embodying Christ’s wisdom, truth, and love.

Source

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. "After Ten Years." 1942. In Letters and Papers from Prison, translated by Reginald H. Fuller, et al. (New York: Macmillan, 1972.