Five Impressions on Niebuhr and Co., 1945–47

From 1945 to 1947 as the United States and Soviet Union moved toward the Cold War, Christian realists writing for Reinhold Niebuhr’s journal, Christianity and Crisis, responded to global dilemmas. Here are five impressions of those articles, along with lessons for today.

The Mad Pacifism of Doctor Who

The BBC should bring back the skepticism of pacifism that Doctor Who used to have.

Resurrection and the Christian Hope: Review of Timothy Keller’s Hope in Times of Fear

In “Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter,” Timothy Keller reflects on how and why the secular hope of progress has failed, and he instead offers the Christian reason for hope.

Justice for War Crimes | Jus Post Bellum Series, Part 4
Justice for War Crimes | Jus Post Bellum Series, Part 4

When we bandy about “war crimes,” “assassination,” and other terms, we ought to consider what we are talking about and, if appropriate, what the available mechanisms for justice are.

Public Opinion Will Disappoint Isolationists - Ukraine - Russia
Public Opinion Will Disappoint Isolationists

Once again, public opinion polls have disappointed isolationists and others who want the United States to have a minimalist foreign policy. Almost overnight, a large swath of America now wants to counter Russia, and elected officials who want to keep their jobs have responded.

Firmness or Conciliation for Russia: Reinhold Niebuhr in 1947
Firmness or Conciliation for Russia: Reinhold Niebuhr in 1947

We are told that a policy of firmness must inevitably lead to war, while conciliation could guarantee peace. In the Nazi days this was called appeasement.

Instead of Transcending Tyranny, the “New Right” Wants to Learn from It - Integralism - Sohrab Ahmari - Adrian Vermeule - Tucker Carlson
Instead of Transcending Tyranny, the “New Right” Wants to Learn from It

The New Right cannot be bothered with foreign threats because they are rationing political capital for an ideological fight at home. That’s bad enough. Even worse, they seem less interested in transcending tyranny and more interested in learning from it.

Where is the Love? A Just War Response to Germany’s Position on Ukraine
Where is the Love? A Just War Response to Germany’s Position on Ukraine

Germany does not love her neighbor when she rejects Ukraine’s plea for defensive weapons.

Responding to Russia’s Threat to Ukraine
Responding to Russia’s Threat to Ukraine

The US should continue to use public diplomacy so that the world does not get distracted and knows that Russia is the aggressor. But Washington must also be prepared with sanctions and other tools in case these efforts fail.