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Reinhold Niebuhr

Reinhold Niebuhr Quotes

Theologian

Reinhold Niebuhr was a prominent American theologian whose work on Christian ethics and social ethics had a profound impact on the 20th century. He was a key figure in theological discourse, particularly for his exploration of the nature of sin and the church's role in society. Niebuhr's theological thought has influenced various Christian denominations and has had a lasting effect on political and social thought.

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Famous Reinhold Niebuhr Quotes

“I thank heaven I have often had it in my power to give help and relief, and this is still my greatest pleasure. If I could choose my sphere of action now, it would be that of the most simple and direct efforts of this kind.”

Ifs Giving Kind Stills Helping Would Be Action Heaven Simple Pleasure Effort Direct Charity If I Could Relief Spheres Greatest Pleasures

Author:Reinhold Niebuhr

“The separation of church and state is necessary partly because if religion is good then the state shouldn't interfere with the religious vision or with the religious prophet. There must be a realm of truth beyond political competence, that's why there must be a separation of churches, but if religion is bad and a bad religion is one that gives an ultimate sanctity to some particular cause. Then religion mustn't interfere with the state - so one of the basic Democratic principles as we know it in America is the separation of church and state.”

“There must be a realm of truth beyond political competence, that's why there must be a separation of churches, but if religion is bad and a bad religion is one that gives an ultimate sanctity to some particular cause.”

Ifs Giving Political Causes Church Particular Truth Is Ultimate Separation Realms Competence Sanctity

Author:Reinhold Niebuhr

“Now when the historic religions give trivial answers to these very tragic questions of our day, when an evangelist says, for instance, we mustn't hope for a summit meeting, we must hope in Christ without spelling out what this could mean in our particular nuclear age. This is the irrelevant answer, when another Evangelist says if America doesn't stop being selfish, it will be doomed. This is also a childish answer because nations are selfish and the question about America isn't whether we will be selfish or unselfish, but will we be sufficiently imaginative to pass the Reciprocal Trade Acts.”

“Now we're living in a nuclear age, and the science that was supposed to be automatically for human welfare has become a nuclear - a science that gives us nuclear weapons. This is the ironic character of human history, and of human existence, which I can only explain, if I say so, in Biblical terms. Now I don't mean by this reason that I will accept every interpretation of Christianity that's derived from the Bible as many people wouldn't accept my interpretation. But that's what it means for me.”

“I think there is and ultimate answer in a true religious faith, but it doesn't give you any immediate answers, it doesn't.”

Thinking Giving Religious Answers Ultimate Religious Faith

Author:Reinhold Niebuhr

“You can't say that religion or irreligion will give us a particular answer to the nuclear dilemma.”

Giving Answers Particular Nuclear Dilemma Irreligion

Author:Reinhold Niebuhr

“God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed.”

Giving Accepting Grace Changed Serenity Change Management Courage To Change Prayer Changes Things Drastic Change

Author:Reinhold Niebuhr

“God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. This prayer was first printed in a monthly bulletin of the Federal Council of Churches and has become enormously popular. It has been circulated in millions of copies.”

Giving Should Firsts Has Beens Wisdom Change Church Prayer Accepting Millions Grace Changed Copies Serenity Popularity Council Printed Courage To Change

Author:Reinhold Niebuhr