Original Sin and Everyday Protestants: The Theology of Reinhold Niebuhr, Billy Graham, and Paul Tillich in an Age of Anxiety

Good introduction to the work and careers of three giants of American Protestantism. I will say that I could have done less with the comments and questions of contemporary lay persons who corresponded with these three, and more of the thoughts and beliefs of the three themselves. Very good and important work nonetheless.

Andrew Finstuen's Original Sin and Everyday Protestants detailed the resurgence of the Christian doctrine of original sin between 1945 and 1965 in the United States and the three men who were responsible for its promotion: Reinhold Niebuhr, Billy Graham, and Paul Tillich. In the midst of what some have labeled "The Age of Anxiety," two revivals took place - one the culturally captive revival of interest in religious activity and one the revival of serious theology, which focused on sin and salvation. The three "giants of Protestant thought" that Finstuen detailed created lived in the spotlight of the latter revival where they influenced clergy and laity through their preaching, teaching, and writings that continually emphasized that "Man's story is not a success story."Finstuen's main task was to re-narrate popular religious and cultural history during this period. While the positive thinking faith of Peale and others presented itself during this era, a theological revival transpired that commentators have often overlooked. Finstuen argued that Niebuhr, Graham, and Tillich, men typically narrated in contrast with one another, unknowingly founded this theological revival by their publicly shared emphasis on original sin. Together, these unlikely revival co-leaders enabled Americans to understand the roots of the anxiety that pervaded their world.Finstuen's arguments relied heavily on the correspondence Niebuhr, Graham, and Tillich had with everyday Protestants, and this proves to be one of the books strongest and weakest aspects. These letters of correspondence revealed the widespread influence of these men, the presence of the theological revival, and the nation's interest in the doctrine of original sin. However, Finstuen often used his own interpretive skills to judge and elucidate letters that were not accurate or clear in their claims. This strategy detracted from his arguments rather than to bolster them further, a task clearer examples could have done.

Get all the facts in: package it properly: through in a few big ideas, and you have an OK book. Focus on one idea, back it up with histories and you have a better book. The author took up a unique idea and die an excellent journalist research, using popular sources on the magazine racks and coming up with an excellent book for people like me.Very Educational.