Reinhold Niebuhr: Theologian of Public Life

Front Cover
Fortress Press - 299 pages
Reinhold Niebuhr, the most significant North American theologian since the eighteenth century, has decisively influenced the shape of Christian thought and action in the United States for much of the twentith century. Niebuhr addressed social and political issues from the perspective of "Christian Realism." This was his blend of liberalism, shrewd social analysis, and elements within the Augustinian tradition. His legacy continues to be influenced through his writings and the work of many of his distinguished students. Larry Rasmussen's introductory essay and notes on the selected texts set Niebuhr in his historical context, chart the development of his thought and indicate the significance of his theology in the development of Christian theology as a whole.
 

Contents

INTRODUCTION
1
2 A Biographical Sketch
5
3 A Few Facets of Niebhurs Thought
16
SELECTED TEXTS
42
Morality and Power
45
Introduction
46
Social Sin Compounded
51
The Preservation of Moral Values in Politics
53
Grace and Possibilities
168
Justice and Love
174
Love Law and Relativity
192
Nature and Destiny
213
The Church and the End of History
230
THEOLOGICAL IDEAS POLITICAL AND SOCIAL THEORY
236
Pacifism
237
Democracy
253

The Conflict between Individual and Social Morality
69
Preachers and Prophets
82
Christianity and Tragedy
87
Transvaluation of Values
95
The Things That Are and the Things That Are Not
104
The Fulfillment of Life
109
Augustine and Christian Realism
119
The Relevance of Christian Realism
120
Idealism Realism and Christian Responsibility
126
The Insufficiency of Politics
131
Grace and Sin
136
Wisdom Grace and Power
159
Utopianism
258
Coherence Incoherence and Christian Faith
260
The Kings Chapel and the Kings Court
269
Faith for a Hazardous Future
274
Epilogue On the Theological Virtues
282
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
283
Notes to the Introduction
286
Subject Index
294
Index of Names
297
Index of Organizations and Publications
299
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