Helmut Richard Niebuhr was een centrale figuur in de 20e-eeuwse christelijke theologische ethiek in Amerika. Zijn werk, met name over de relatie tussen geloof en cultuur en de aard van ethische verantwoordelijkheid, heeft de postliberale theologie aanzienlijk gevormd. Samen met zijn collega Hans Wilhelm Frei vestigde Niebuhr een onderscheidende theologische benadering aan Yale, die latere generaties denkers beïnvloedde. Zijn onderzoek duikt in de manier waarop individuele identiteit en maatschappelijke betrokkenheid intrinsiek verbonden zijn met theologisch begrip.
The author, Richard R. Niebuhr, is a distinguished academic figure, serving as Hollis Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Harvard Divinity School. His expertise and contributions to the field of divinity reflect a deep engagement with theological studies and a commitment to exploring the complexities of faith and ethics in contemporary society.
Focusing on the theological insights of Friedrich Schleiermacher, this study offers a fresh perspective on his influential ideas in Protestant theology, emphasizing the concept of "thinking in motion." It serves as an invitation for readers to engage with and explore the dynamic nature of Schleiermacher's thought, making it a significant contribution to contemporary discussions in theology.
The book explores the intersection of religious experience and modern technological society, offering a theoretical framework for understanding this quest. It identifies common elements of contemporary experiences as potential moments of awakening, suggesting that religion serves as a guiding force for individuals navigating a complex world. Dr. Niebuhr presents human faith as a means of aligning with overarching patterns of action, emphasizing the enduring human desire for orientation amidst life’s challenges.
This 50th-anniversary edition, with a new foreword by the distinguished historian Martin E. Marty, who regards this book as one of the most vital books of our time, as well as an introduction by the author never before included in the book, and a new preface by James Gustafson, the premier Christian ethicist who is considered Niebuhr’s contemporary successor, poses the challenge of being true to Christ in a materialistic age to an entirely new generation of Christian readers.