Reinhold Niebuhr

All Author Content

Author Articles

Author Podcasts

Author Videos

Patient Foreign Policy and the “Long Pull”
Patient Foreign Policy and the Cold War “Long Pull”

The following two articles appeared in Christianity and Crisis on September 16, 1946. They both reflect on America’s relations with the Soviet Union post-World War II and try to develop a Christian approach to this challenge.

Reports from Occupied Germany, 1946
Reports from Occupied Germany, 1946

In a series of articles in the fall of 1946, Christianity and Crisis contributors offered reports based upon their travels, including from Reinhold Niebuhr and John Baillie in Germany.

The Conflict between Nations and Nations and between Nations and God, by Reinhold Niebuhr August 5, 1946
The Conflict between Nations and Nations, and between Nations and God

The Bible is still right and that the contest of greatest significance is not between good and bad nations, but between all nations or men and God. We do want peace, but we would like it to be our peace.

The Nation in Peril: Inflation Then and Now
Inflation Then and Now: The Nation in Peril

“We are in danger of inflation because we do not have sufficient goods to meet the demands of the people despite the fact that we are producing more goods than any other nation on earth.”

A Problem of Evangelical Christianity: What Reinhold Niebuhr Wrote
A Problem of Evangelical Christianity: What Reinhold Niebuhr Said

In 1946, Reinhold Niebuhr visited an evangelical church for an Easter worship service in a movie theater. He did not entirely enjoy the experience. Here are his reflections.

World Community and World Government: What Reinhold Niebuhr Said
World Community and the Folly of World Government: What Reinhold Niebuhr Said

“A Christian knows, or ought to know, that an adequate Christian political ethic is not established merely by conceiving the most ideal possible solution for a political problem. He must, in all humility, deal with the realities of human nature, as well as the ideal possibilities.”

If Thine Enemy Hunger Feed Him, by Reinhold Niebuhr
If Thine Enemy Hunger Feed Him

Quoting Romans 12:20, the message to feed and help the enemy is simple, but oftentimes the simplest command can be the hardest to fulfill. So the reminder is always timely in every age.

Which Question Comes First for the Church - Reinhold Niebuhr - Atomic Bombs - Soviet Alliance
Which Question Comes First for the Church?

“Which Question Comes First for the Church?” by Reinhold NiebuhrNovember 12, 1945 In both the religious and the secular world…

“The Atomic Issue,” by Reinhold Niebuhr
The Atomic Issue

Reinhold Niebuhr in 1945: “For only a full understanding of the practically insuperable difficulties which confront us can arm us with the humility and the courage to seek for a solution of this problem radical enough to prevent the annihilation of civilization.”

The Vengeance of Victors
The Vengeance of Victors

There is no more dismal aspect of human history than the behavior of victors. However just their cause, they never fail to cast doubt upon its righteousness by the manner in which they exploit their victory.