Reinhold Niebuhr

By Robin W. Lovin

Book Overview

Abingdon Pillars of Theology is a series for the college and seminary classroom designed to help students grasp the basic and necessary facts, influence, and significance of major theologians. Written by major scholars, these books will outline the context, methodology, organizing principles, primary contributions, and major writings of people who have shaped theology as we know it today.Reinhold Niebuhr understood the tensions and complexities of the Christian Life. His approach became to theology became known as "Christian realism." Through his life and work we can see the importance of paying attention to what is really happening and the witness we can make when we look at events with a wisdom shaped by a biblical understanding of history and human nature. An excerpt from the Circuit Rider review: "In the face of recession and a troubled economy, global warming and environmental peril, war and the AIDS pandemic, contemporary Christians would be well served to ponder again the work and witness of Reinhold Niebuhr. His work urges Christians and the church to define and claim our voice in the public arena. Faithful and prophetic witness rooted and grounded in true Christian hope are needed now more than ever. We are grateful to Prof. Lovin for this important contribution to the life of thoughtful faith and faithful living." (Click here to read the entire review.)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 068764612X
• ISBN13: 9780687646128
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A great brief intro

It seems hard to believe that people would ever "forget" someone like Niebuhr, a great intellectual who was on the cover of TIME magazine's 25th anniversary issue. But in recent years, people of different political perspectives have rediscovered him, and political junkies who read Peter Beinart, David Brooks, and many others may be trying to find out more. Although Niebuhr is pretty readable on his own, Lovin's short book is a great place to start learning about his ideas and concerns. He puts Niebuhr's thinking in context, gives biographical background, talks about the scope and the general arc of his career, which went roughly from the Great Depression to Vietnam. For example, many readers may think they are interested in Niebuhr purely as a social and political commentator; the fact that he was a minister and theologian may seem irrelevant. But it isn't, and Lovin does a great job of explaining why. Lovin also suggests why Niebuhr's thinking remains so relevant to us now. Although Niebuhr enthusiasts will have other excellent books that they'll call indispensable, this is the book to help a new person get started. It will give you enough to start reading Niebuhr and seeing his ideas for yourself. I believe Niebuhr would be pleased.