Original Sin and Everyday Protestants
The Theology of Reinhold Niebuhr, Billy Graham, and Paul Tillich in an Age of Anxiety
By Andrew S. Finstuen | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
About the book
In the years following World War II, American Protestantism experienced tremendous growth, but conventional wisdom holds that midcentury Protestants practiced an optimistic, progressive, complacent, and materialist faith. In Original Sin and Everyday Protestants, historian Andrew Finstuen argues against this prevailing view, showing that theological issues in general — and the ancient Christian doctrine of original sin in particular — became newly important to both the culture at large and to a generation of American Protestants during a postwar “age of anxiety” as the Cold War took root.
Finstuen focuses on three giants of Protestant thought — Billy Graham, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Paul Tillich — men who were among the era’s best known public figures. He argues that each thinker’s strong commitment to the doctrine of original sin was a powerful element of the broad public influence that they enjoyed. Drawing on extensive correspondence from everyday Protestants, the book captures the voices of the people in the pews, revealing that the ordinary, rank-and-file Protestants were indeed thinking about Christian doctrine and especially about “good” and “evil” in human nature. Finstuen concludes that the theological concerns of ordinary American Christians were generally more complicated and serious than is commonly assumed, correcting the view that postwar American culture was becoming more and more secular from the late 1940s through the 1950s.
Editions of Original Sin and Everyday Protestants
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807833360
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469622286
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890883872
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469604572
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807898536
Read an Excerpt
In the years following World War II, American Protestantism experienced tremendous growth, but conventional wisdom holds that midcentury Protestants practiced an optimistic, progressive, complacent, and materialist faith. In Original Sin and Everyday Protestants, historian Andrew Finstuen argues against this prevailing view, showing that theological issues in general — and the ancient Christian doctrine of original sin in particular — became newly important to both the culture at large and to a generation of American Protestants during a postwar “age of anxiety” as the Cold War took root.
Finstuen focuses on three giants of Protestant thought — Billy Graham, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Paul Tillich — men who were among the era’s best known public figures. He argues that each thinker’s strong commitment to the doctrine of original sin was a powerful element of the broad public influence that they enjoyed. Drawing on extensive correspondence from everyday Protestants, the book captures the voices of the people in the pews, revealing that the ordinary, rank-and-file Protestants were indeed thinking about Christian doctrine and especially about “good” and “evil” in human nature. Finstuen concludes that the theological concerns of ordinary American Christians were generally more complicated and serious than is commonly assumed, correcting the view that postwar American culture was becoming more and more secular from the late 1940s through the 1950s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Original Sin and Everyday Protestants about?
In the years following World War II, American Protestantism experienced tremendous growth, but conventional wisdom holds that midcentury Protestants practiced an optimistic, progressive, complacent, and materialist faith. In Original Sin and Everyday Protestants, historian Andrew Finstuen argues against this prevailing view, showing that theological issues in general — and the ancient Christian doctrine of original sin in particular — became newly important to both the culture at large and to a generation of American Protestants during a postwar “age of anxiety” as the Cold War took root.
Finstuen focuses on three giants of Protestant thought — Billy Graham, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Paul Tillich — men who were among the era’s best known public figures. He argues that each thinker’s strong commitment to the doctrine of original sin was a powerful element of the broad public influence that they enjoyed. Drawing on extensive correspondence from everyday Protestants, the book captures the voices of the people in the pews, revealing that the ordinary, rank-and-file Protestants were indeed thinking about Christian doctrine and especially about “good” and “evil” in human nature. Finstuen concludes that the theological concerns of ordinary American Christians were generally more complicated and serious than is commonly assumed, correcting the view that postwar American culture was becoming more and more secular from the late 1940s through the 1950s.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Original Sin and Everyday Protestants?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Aspects of religion > Theology
Where can I read a sample of Original Sin and Everyday Protestants?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807833360
How long is Original Sin and Everyday Protestants and how many pages does it have?
Original Sin and Everyday Protestants has 272 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Original Sin and Everyday Protestants?
Andrew S. Finstuen
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Original Sin and Everyday Protestants is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807833360) and paperback(ISBN 9781469622286) and ebook(ISBN 9798890883872) and ebook(ISBN 9781469604572) and ebook(ISBN 9780807898536)
Where can I buy Original Sin and Everyday Protestants online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Original Sin and Everyday Protestants from below
Where can I buy Original Sin and Everyday Protestants?