Reinhold Niebuhr
Christian Realism
Reinhold
Niebuhr’s principal contribution to theology was his “Christian Realism.” It contradicted with the optimistic view of the
innate human goodness and their natural ability to follow the laws of God in
every aspect of life, which would transform life everywhere for God that
comprised the social gospel[1]. Niebuhr’s fundamental problem with the
social gospel was that it necessitates people to be good and behave rationally,
which would not happen on a mass scale.
Through the realistic view of Christian life, Christians were portrayed
as humans who needed God, creating a philosophy people could embrace.
In
Christian Realism, man has what Niebuhr called “indeterminate possibilities.[2]” Man could achieve great things because God
is alive in man, though He is not allowed full reign of man’s life[3]. With God’s presence, the work of God can be
done and great things for Him could be achieved. Vision is an integral part of Christian Realism, as a Christian
visionary at a most basic level is a realist[4]. The visionaries works to fix the world, but
do not despair as many idealist do because they realize the work is bigger than
themselves[5]. Reinhold realized his
work, the work of serving God was unending.