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Loading... The Serenity Prayer: Faith and Politics in Times of Peace and Warby Elisabeth Sifton
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Faith and Politics in Times of Peace and War Elisabeth Sifton’s The Serenity Prayer is a biographical account of her father Reinhold Niebuhr, author of this prayer. Since its inception in 1943, the prayer itself has a rather interesting history. It was hijacked in Germany, the country where the Niebuhr’s parents were born before settling in the United States. Many people throughout the world know this prayer through the Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings, and its many renditions on postcards, placemats, and souvenirs. The book however described Reinhold Niebuhr’s life as a preacher, writer, professor, and ambassador to European countries especially Germany and England. It told about his interactions with the World Council of Churches and his ecumenical ventures, his thoughts about various denominations – Episcopalian, Methodist, Congregationalist, Reformed and Evangelical Lutherans, and the like. Over 40 years, throughout Niebuhr’s career as a pastor, and professor at the Union Theological Seminary in New York, her Pa was to ruffle feathers by his opposition of America’s neutrality during World War Ⅱ, beliefs in equity of the races, and outreach to the poor. Sifton showed his resolution for progressive causes, his friendship with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and how he was instrumental for the hiring of Paul Tillich at Union. Throughout his years Niebuhr was a guest on panels, was welcomed on the international lecture circuit, known for his correspondence with Church leaders worldwide, and lived to see Europe liberated. Sifton described her father’s activities in the 1950’s, ‘60’s, and ‘70’s, and their family eventual relocation from their summer cottage in Heath, Massachusetts, to the suburbs. Her life as a child was peppered with the beauty of the Heath’s countryside, her interactions with clergy, and farmers. Undoubtedly the serenity prayer captured all of life’s vicissitudes by how her family and English mother responded to the challenges of this era of their lives. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, only because it's a little long on many names that don't hold interest for the general reader. On the other hand, the story it tells and the light it casts on Reinhold Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer in terms of social ethics felt very timely and relevant. And I still think it should be called "The Change Prayer"...that's what it's about! I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, only because it's a little long on many names that don't hold interest for the general reader. On the other hand, the story it tells and the light it casts on Reinhold Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer in terms of social ethics felt very timely and relevant. And I still think it should be called "The Change Prayer"...that's what it's about! I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, only because it's a little long on many names that don't hold interest for the general reader. On the other hand, the story it tells and the light it casts on Reinhold Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer in terms of social ethics felt very timely and relevant. And I still think it should be called "The Change Prayer"...that's what it's about! no reviews | add a review
In 1943, the renowned theologian Reinhold Niebuhr wrote a prayer for a church service in a New England village. Its appeal for grace, courage, and wisdom soon became famous the world over. Here, Elisabeth Sifton, Niebuhr's daughter, reclaims the true history of the Serenity Prayer and, in a poignant narrative, tells of efforts made by the brave men and women who, like Niebuhr, devoted their lives to the causes of social justice, racial equality, and religious freedom in a world spiraling into and out of economic depression and war. Recalling her father's efforts to warn the clergy of the dangers of fascism, and of America's own social and spiritual crises, Sifton reminds us of what is possible when liberal, open-minded leaders?ot zealous fundamentalists or hawkish plutocrats?hape the conscience of the nation. The Serenity Prayer is itself a meditation on the power of prayer in morally compromised, unstable times. A New York Times Notable Book. 12 illustrations. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)242.4Religions Christian Devotional Literature and Practical Theology Devotional Literature (Meditations + Contemplation) Devotions for Difficult TimesLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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