Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.

— Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971), Theologe

Source: The Children of Light and The Children of Darkness (1944), Vorwort zur Erstausgabe

Topics: Justice & Commitment, Ethical Questions, Meaning & Identity

Reinhold Niebuhr

Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971) war ein US-amerikanischer evangelischer Theologe und Sozialethiker, der nach Jahren als Gemeindepfarrer in Detroit jahrzehntelang am Union Theological Seminary in New York lehrte. Er begründete den Christlichen Realismus, verfasste das Gelassenheitsgebet und stieß mit seiner Absage an den Pazifismus sowie der theologischen Rechtfertigung politischer Machtausübung auf anhaltende Kritik. Für heutige Bibelleser bietet sein Werk Anstöße zur Reflexion über menschliche Fehlbarkeit, gesellschaftliche Schuldverstrickung und die nüchterne Anwendung biblischer Ethik in der Welt.

All quotes by Reinhold Niebuhr (15)

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