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Moral Man and Immoral Society: The Public Theology of Reinhold Neibuhr

STUDENT EXERCISES
Segment 5: Niebuhr and Engagement in the World

Listening Comprehension/Critical Thinking Questions


Read the following questions, then listen to the fifth segment of "Moral Man and Immoral Society" to find the answers.
AudioSegment 5: Niebuhr and Engagement in the World
  1. Niebuhr wrote: "Religion is more frequently a source of confusion than of light in the political realm. The tendency to equate our political with our Christian convictions causes politics to generate idolatry"

     • What do you think Niebuhr means by this?


     • What main points does Ms. Elshtain make in responding to this statement?

  2. Niebuhr wrote: "Politics is not an ultimate value, it is a relative value. That we should not assume that politics is the ultimate authority. We can never achieve such a standard."

     • What did he mean by that?

     • How does this idea help you think about contemporary political life in America?

Answer key

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Click on these links to find further instructional ideas and study guides for the material on the Speaking of Faith Web site.
DocumentSegment 1: Introduction to Niebuhr
DocumentListen
(7:02)
DocumentSegment 2: Conversation with Mr. Richard Wightman Fox
DocumentListen
(12:38)
DocumentSegment 3: Niebuhr on American Society
DocumentListen
(2:15)
DocumentSegment 4: Niebuhr on War
DocumentListen
(6:25)
DocumentSegment 6: Inspiration for Reconciliation and the Need for Tension
DocumentListen
(7:20)
Student exercises
ExerciseListening Comprehension
ExerciseCritical Thinking

Featured Resources
The student exercises provided this month are based on the Speaking of Faith feature: Moral Man and Immoral Society: The Public Theology of Reinhold Neibuhr.

Document"Moral Man and Immoral Society: The Public Theology of Reinhold Niebuhr"

DocumentSegment 1: Introduction to Niebuhr

DocumentSegment 2: Conversation with Mr. Richard Wightman Fox

DocumentSegment 3: Niebuhr on American Society

DocumentSegment 4: Niebuhr on War

DocumentSegment 5: Niebuhr and Engagement in the World

DocumentSegment 6: Inspiration for Reconciliation and the Need for Tension

DocumentMoral Man and Immoral Society: The Public Theology of Reinhold Niebuhr (Full Documentary)



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