Reinhold Niebuhr
His
Life
Reinhold
Niebuhr was born on June 21, 1892 in Wright City, Missouri. His parents, the Reverend Gustav Niebuhr and
Lydia were immigrants from Germany.
They pastored in a German-speaking congregation composed of both
Lutherans and Reform traditionalists.
The Niebuhrs’ had four children: Helmut Richard, Hulda, Walter, and
Hubert. Helmut Richard became a
theologian, making many contributions to the realm of religious thought. Hulda taught and wrote for McCormick
Theological Seminary in Chicago[1].
Religion
and free thought were important in the Niebuhr household. The children were given love and guidance to
aide them on their way to success. The
importance religion held in his family helped guide Reinhold into the
ministry. He attended the Evangelical
Synod’s Elmhurst College in the Suburbs of Chicago. Then he went to Eden theological Seminary in Webster Groves,
Missouri. He eventually attended Yale
University, where he received both his Bachelor’s Degree and his Master’s
Degree. He took a pastoral position in
a small Detroit Church that would change his life dramatically[2].
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