Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom: The Enduring Legacy of Reinhold Niebuhr - Softcover

Much more than just another biography of Reinhold Niebuhr, Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom is a readable, personable introduction to the life and thought of America's premier theologian, political philosopher, and intellectual activist. Henry Clark, one of Niebuhr's former students, offers an overview of Niebuhr's life and ideas, placing them in the context of historical events and documenting Niebuhr's enormous influence on religious thought and American public policy.
Niebuhr's brand of Christian realism has come under increasing scrutiny and criticism lately by schools of thought that point out its insufficiency to address certain issues. A highly original aspect of this book outlines those criticisms - from feminist theology, liberation theology, and others - and offers a "Niebuhrian" response to each of these critiques.
Clark reminds us, again, of the depth and importance of Niebuhr's contribution - not only to Christian thought, but to the moral fabric of American life. Emerging from this work is a view of a man, a philosophy, and a realistic positioning of a landmark personage whose influence will continue to help shape and define a world searching for answers to the most difficult questions of existence.

Henry B. Clark is professor of social ethics at the University of Southern California.