Reinhold Niebuhr

Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971), arguably the most influential American theologian since Jonathan Edwards, was the one American who found a comfortable place in a modern Pantheon comprised mainly of Europeans. His doctrine of "sin as pride" has become a modern classic, and he helped many to see how "anxiety" is the matrix for both inordinate self-assertion and sensuality. Not only a brilliant and articulate thinker, Niebuhr was also a deeply compassionate, sensitive human being and an ardent champion of social justice. He remains a model for us today as he teaches us how to communicate the gospel in a secular age. The Makers of the Modern Theological Mind series remains a must-read for anyone eager to understand these theologians and their impact on today's church.