The Legacy of Reinhold Niebuhr and the Future of Christian Realism

On January 29, 2009, the Berkley Center hosted this event during which David Brooks and E.J. Dionne, Jr. discussed the lasting impact of Reinhold Niebuhr and Christian Realism on American political and theological ideas with public radio host Krista Tippett. They addressed how Christian Realism presents an enduring option for many aspects of our political life, from foreign policy and the war on terror to issues about the religion's role in politics. As Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States took office, Brooks and Dionne took the opportunity to reflect both upon the past presidential election and the future problems and dilemmas that the next administration will face, in light of Obama citing Niebuhr's teachings as significant in shaping his own ideas about politics and governance. Krista Tippett of American Public Media's Speaking of Faith will moderate the conversation and portions of the program will appear as a conversation on the program. Speaking of Faith takes listeners well beyond the wedge issues and modern-day culture wars. Instead, public radios premier conversation about religion, meaning, ethics and ideas forges fascinating new dialogue around some of the largest and most difficult topics of our time. Each week, Krista Tippett welcomes guests from a wide range of backgrounds—theologians to physicists, monks to activists, physicians to philosophers—who together shed new light on spiritual and intellectual perspectives too often obscured when religious fervor dominates our headlines. In Washington D.C., WAMU 88.5 broadcasts Speaking of Faith on Sundays at 7 a.m.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• the Berkley Center
• Georgetown University
• Georgetown Berkley Center
• religion
• interreligious discussion
• sociology