Discussion of Reinhold Niebuhr on "Speaking of Faith"

On Speaking of Faith this week (broadcast in Louisville at 6AM this morning), an discussion was aired between host Krista Tippett, conservative columnist David Brooks, and liberal columnist E.J. Dionne about the current significance of twentieth century theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. The broadcast of this discussion was titled "Obama's Theologian," since President Obama has cited Niebuhr as a major influence, but in the last half of the program (the half I heard) President Obama was barely mentioned, with the focus placed on other aspects of Niebuhr's legacy.

As I am not very familiar with Niebuhr, I can offer little here in the way of critique or comment, except to say that from the little that I know of Niebuhr, it seems like he had a more realistic view of the effects of sin on society, and therefore the impossibility of bringing about the kingdom of God through sheer human effort, than the "Yes We Can!" position of the current administration.

The conversation on the broadcast was very interesting, and I encourage readers to listen to it HERE.