Reinhold Niebuhr, the most significant North American Theologian since the 18th century, has decisively influenced the shape of Christian thought and action in the United States for much of the 20th 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. REINHOLD NIEBUHR: THEOLOGIAN OF PUBLIC LIFE is a collection of edited texts illustrating his thought on the following themes: Disorders of a technical civilization, Morality and power, Preachers and prophets, Augustine and Christian realism, Grace and sin, Justice and love, Nature and destiny, Theological ideas, Faith for a hazardous future, and Theological virtues. 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.
