Speaking of Faith

Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

The greatest theologian of 20^th century, Niebuhr toed a middle path between dogmatic sacredness and dignified secularism. He was a Christian realist who made theology intersect with the business of the world rather than see theology as the business of some outside unknown world. Here are some of my quaint thoughts on his theology…

Religions grow out of real experiences in which tragedy mingles with beauty, and man learns that moral values that dignify his life are embattled in his own soul and imperiled in the world.

Sin is not a comprehensible idea to us except for the Original Sin that is ardently reflected in today’s media which regularly verifies it empirically.

Civilization depends upon the vigorous pursuit of the highest values by people who are intelligent enough to know that their values are qualified by their interests and corrupted by their prejudices. Individuals may strive to be moral; but collectively humans are compromised and prone to immortality and even, evil. So, Niebuhr believed that Christian ethic was an inadequate social ethic.

To accomplish Christ’s kingdom in this world is all too utopian but to achieve the realist descriptions of the kingdom is always within our abilities.

Religion is more frequently a source of confusion in the political realm; our tendency to equate our political with Christian convictions results in ideologies. Politics is not an ultimate value; to assume that the best would only come out of politics is idolatry.

Never neglect our responsibility to love and care for others. Instead of debating over what is good or evil, it is better to lead a good life where no one is absolutely harmed by us.

This is from Niebuhr’s famous Serenity Prayer:

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.